Creating Hidden Windows Shares

If you are a network or system administrator who frequently sets up network shares, however you do not want them to be visible by browsing the network, make the share hidden. This is very easily done:

1. Right click on the shared, or folder to share, and select Properties.
2. Select the Sharing tab.
3. For the share name, add a “$” to the end of the share name field.
4. Apply your changes.

By adding the “$” to the end, you are telling Windows to share the folder, but do not advertise that it is shared. You can now access the share by going to:

\\[computer name]\[shared folder name]$

The folder will open right up even though it is invisible to the end user simply browsing the network.