Create invisible folder

[wolf67]

I have a problem! I want to create a folder in Windows xp with VB 6, and i want that folder to be invisible (even if i have marked "Show hidden folders" in control panel). But thats not enough, Ii want the application thats created the invisible folder have access to the invisible folder.

Could this be done? And if so could any one help me or point me in the right direction.

[Hack]

No. Any folder that exists on your machine can be seen if "Show Hidden Folders" is checked.

[wolf67]

But there is some program that can hide folders, like "Folder Lock" http://www.newsoftwares.net/folderlock/ how are they constructed?

[Hack]

But there is some program that can hide folders, like "Folder Lock" http://www.newsoftwares.net/folderlock/ how are they constructed?

I don't know, but I would be willing to bet you they are not constructed in Visual Basic.

[BrailleSchool]

I have a problem! I want to create a folder in Windows xp with VB 6, and i want that folder to be invisible (even if i have marked "Show hidden folders" in control panel). But thats not enough, Ii want the application thats created the invisible folder have access to the invisible folder.

Could this be done? And if so could any one help me or point me in the right direction.

If you have "show hidden folders" checked, it will always show those hidden folders. No way to prevent that. Earlier versions of Windows, if I am not mistaken don't have the option to show hidden files, but may be wrong.. would have to research that. But to hide a folder, you would have to do an ATTRIB +H command in the command line so you could always shell to the Command Prompt in VB6, use the MKDIR command to make the folder and then use the ATTRIB +H command to hide it. Would I be wrong anyone?

[Hack]

It would still show up in Windows Explorer, and the hidden attribute would be pretty easy to change.

I know nothing about the product that wolf67 linked to, but if it does what it says it does, it is doing some pretty low level stuff.

[Dave Sell]

The product mentioned may not actually create folders viewable by the filesystem, but rather contain them in a proprietary file only that program knows how to present as a "folder".

There is no way to make a folder in the NTFS or FAT filesystems that cannot be veiwed by your average computer geek.

[wiz126]

Indeed i try building a program like that few years ago in vb6 and i came to one conclution the folder that are bing locked by the software are not folders but compred file.
so i file an app (don't ask for it i don't have it no more it was 2 years ago) that stors the files in a file (like zip but only my app can extract it) and it will show the same icon as windows folder.but when u double click on it my app comes up and it will ask the user to enter his password to enter oncethe user enters my app extract the files and place them in the temp folder untill the user lock it or close my app or deletes it and place the files again in the compressed file.
good luck makeing this....took me few months..and some other guys help

[CVMichael]

This makes files invisible:
VB - How to use Alternate Data Stream files

If you want to create an invisible directory, I assume it's because you want to put files in it.

Well, this skeeps one step....

[Comintern]

If you are deploying on an NTFS volume, you can put your data into an "alternate data stream" tacked onto a file. That would probably be the hardest thing for your average user to find. More info:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/105763

[EDIT] Beat me to it.