Tech Tip of the Week

Create a Ghost Folder in XP & Vista

To make a folder vanish in Windows XP/Vista, you need to do two things; give the folder a name that includes a character that does not print or display and then replace the standard folder icon with a blank one. Start by opening Windows Explorer or My Computer, right click on the folder icon you want to hide and select rename. Press the Numlock key and press Alt + 0160 then OK and the name box should disappear. Next, right-click on the folder icon and select Properties, then the Customize tab then the Change Icon button at the bottom. You’ll find the blank icons about one click to the right on the bottom scroll bar; they’re the gaps between normal icons. Select one then click OK. Your folder should now have disappeared so take care you don’t forget it where it is. A ghost image or flicking hyphen will appear when you hover your mouse over where the icon used to be and you can rename or delete it by right-clicking on it.