Make an invisible desktop folder for your stuff in Ubuntu!

I found an even easier and more effective way of keeping prying eyes away from my stuff in Ubuntu, and thought I would expand another of my tutorials, "Create an Invisible Desktop Shortcut in Ubuntu". This one is so easy, I'm not even going to use more than one step. Enjoy...

Remove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Create folder

The first (and only) step is to create a folder. Name it whatever you want, in my example I'll use stuff. Place a period at the beginning of the folder name, making the final name of the folder .stuff. The preceding period makes the folder hidden in Linux. Now with my desktop in view, hold down the 'ctrl' key and tap the letter 'H'. Voila! Use this key combination to toggle between your stuff folder being hidden from view and shown. The only other thing is to place your contraband into that folder and admire your handiwork. The contents of this folder needn't necessarily be illegal or immoral, maybe you just want to maintain a tidy desktop.

P.S. I know this isn't really secure, but in my house/work there aren't any people that are intimately familiar with Linux. This is a good deterrent as this trick doesn't really exist in windows.

blckpythn says: Oct 29, 2012. 7:16 PM

There actually is a way to do this in Windows. Change the folder icon to a blank icon, and rename the file to 0160.

leonfayte says: Feb 18, 2012. 4:48 AM

it wouldn't work for me on desktop, but it works perfectly in any other folder. running Oneiric Ocelot(11.10). thanks a lot!

kavamakaveli says: Nov 27, 2010. 1:36 PM

I am using Maverick Meerkat, and its working.

geekyfas says: Oct 18, 2009. 12:21 PM

For me, it only works in the file browser. The folder still appears on the desktop though. I'm using Jaunty. Anyway.. it's a neat little trick.

Honestinwilkesbarre says: Mar 28, 2009. 11:32 AM

I have Ubuntu 8.10 and this didn't work for me.

mrmoneybagss says: Aug 26, 2008. 7:14 PM

u have Linux?

Honestinwilkesbarre in reply to mrmoneybagssMar 28, 2009. 11:26 AM

Eventually, everyone will have Linux.

MonkeyBoy3217 says: Jun 4, 2008. 4:31 PM

i dont get it. it just deleted the name

nsxtech says: Dec 24, 2007. 4:19 AM

I like it, but it appears to be a Gnome-centric tidbit. I'm using Gutsy with KDE/kdm and the ctrl-h toggle doesn't work. There may be a KDE counterpart though.

stuffman (author) in reply to nsxtechDec 24, 2007. 8:38 AM

Ah, I'm not adventurous enough (yet) to explore KDE, it's funny how different interfaces can make you uncomfortable in front of your own computer, even though everything's all where it should be. For KDE, you can follow this link, which is very similar to another instructable I did before I found the ctrl+h trick. Thx for the comment,

Shawn