How to Hide a Shared Folder in Windows XP Home

If you want to avoid other users on network from accessing shared data but still want to be able to obtain to it manually over network here is how you do it. Windows XP Home utilizes Simple File Sharing, which means you Right click the folder or drive you want to safe and select Sharing and Security.

Enter a share name for your folder or drive and put a dollar sign ($) at the end, e.g. photos$. Then tick Ok and you are completed.

Now folder is hidden and other network users won’t be able to notice it and it won’t show up in My Network Places. The only method any one will be able to see the folder is if they know name of the folder.

You are able to notice your hidden folder you want to map the drive and type path to share containing dollar sign in Folder box.