Searching for hidden files on XP

sally0101

Hi there

I have some files set as hidden folders on my PC (operating system is XP). I know how to search for them ... the problem Im having is that as soon as I type the first letter of the file name, it autocompletes the rest from when I have searched for them previously. I really need to switch this off as its pointless having hidden files if all someone has to do is type one letter and the whole file name comes up. Please please please can someone tell me how to clear the history and make it so it does not remember previous searches.

Please note this is on Windows XP and not the internet

many thanks

closed

ccleaner, and turn off autocomplete

it's not a very good way of hiding something

esuhl

Setting the "hidden" file attribute would simply hide the file from the default view in file managers. The only reason for doing that is to stop such files "cluttering up" the directory listing and to prevent inexperienced users from thinking that they may want to modify them.

If you actually want to encrypt and hide documents, then have a look at Truecrypt.

paddyrg

+1 for truecrypt.

It can be as secure as you want to be - takes a little getting used to, but it is wonderful software for sensitive data

sally0101

Thank you all very much for your advice. Im a total novice at this sort of stuff. Will have a look at truecrypt but Im not sure I will understand it.

esuhl

sally0101 wrote: »

Will have a look at truecrypt but Im not sure I will understand it.

I put off looking at Truecrypt for ages because it looked complicated, but it's actually very straightforward once you know how to use it.

Initially you need to create a "container" to hold your encrypted files. That can be a file, partition or drive. You create the container (and get lots of choices about the encryption method used - the defeaults are fine).

The "container" will initially be unreadable, but when you mount it in Truecrypt, it will appear as another hard drive partition in Windows Explorer and you can use it like you would any other partition. Unmount it, and no one can see inside.

Once you've set up the "container", it only takes a few clicks to mount and unmount it.