How To Hide Apps On Windows 10

Do you ever wish you could hide certain apps on your Windows 10 device? Whether it's for privacy reasons, decluttering your desktop, or keeping certain apps away from prying eyes, hiding apps can be a useful feature. Thankfully, Windows 10 offers a simple and effective way to hide apps, giving you more control over your device's appearance and functionality.

When it comes to hiding apps on Windows 10, there are a few key steps to keep in mind. First, you'll want to access the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of your screen. From there, you can locate the app you want to hide, right-click on it, and select the "Unpin from Start" option. This will remove the app from the Start menu, effectively hiding it from view. Additionally, you can right-click on the app icon itself in the taskbar and choose the "Unpin from taskbar" option to further hide the app from sight. By following these simple steps, you can easily hide apps on your Windows 10 device and customize your desktop to suit your preferences.

Why Hide Apps on Windows 10?

Windows 10 is a versatile operating system that offers a range of customization options. One of the features that users may find useful is the ability to hide apps. Hiding apps can provide a cleaner and more organized desktop, as well as maintain user privacy by keeping certain apps out of sight. Whether you want to hide a built-in Windows app or a third-party application, Windows 10 provides various methods to accomplish this.

Method 1: Use the Start Menu

The Start Menu in Windows 10 is the central hub for accessing apps and programs. By rearranging or resizing the Start Menu tiles, you can effectively hide certain apps from view. Follow these steps to hide apps using the Start Menu:

• Click on the Start button at the bottom left corner of the screen to open the Start Menu.
• Locate the app you want to hide, and right-click on its tile.
• From the context menu that appears, select "Unpin from Start" to remove the app's tile from the Start Menu.
• The app will no longer be visible in the Start Menu, but you can still access it by searching for it in the search bar or locating it in the All Apps list.

Customizing the Start Menu Layout

In addition to simply removing app tiles, you can further customize the appearance and layout of the Start Menu to hide apps effectively. Follow these steps:

• Right-click on an empty space in the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings" from the context menu.
• In the settings window, click on "Start" in the left sidebar.
• Scroll down to the "Hide app list in Start menu" option and toggle it on.
• This will remove the All Apps list from the Start Menu, making it more streamlined and hiding apps from view. To access hidden apps, use the search bar.

Method 2: Hide Apps through Settings

If you prefer a more comprehensive method for hiding apps, Windows 10 provides a built-in feature in the Settings menu. This allows you to control the visibility of apps without relying on the Start Menu. Here's how you can hide apps through the Settings:

• Open the Settings menu by clicking on the Start button and selecting the gear icon.
• In the Settings window, click on "Apps."
• Select "Apps & features" from the left sidebar.
• Scroll through the list of installed apps and find the app you want to hide.
• Click on the app and select "Advanced options."
• In the Advanced options page, toggle the "Uninstall" button to "Off."
• The app will no longer be visible in the Apps & features list, making it effectively hidden.

Revealing Hidden Apps

If you ever want to reveal the hidden app and make it visible again, simply go back to the Advanced options page in the Settings menu and toggle the "Uninstall" button to "On."

Method 3: Use Third-Party Software

For more advanced hiding options and additional features, you can consider using third-party software designed specifically for hiding apps on Windows 10. These software solutions provide more flexibility and control over which apps are hidden and how they are accessed. Here are a few popular third-party apps you can explore:

• Hide.me: Hide.me is a lightweight app that allows you to hide and password-protect any app on your Windows 10 system. It offers customization options and an intuitive interface.
• Win10 Hide: Win10 Hide is a free app that enables you to hide apps from the Start Menu, taskbar, and Alt+Tab switcher. It also provides additional features like hotkeys and program scheduling.
• Wise Folder Hider: Wise Folder Hider is a versatile tool that allows you to hide files, folders, and applications. It offers password protection and encryption for added security.

Additional Tips for App Hiding

While hiding apps can be a useful approach for personalizing and securing your Windows 10 experience, here are some additional tips to enhance your app hiding efforts:

1. Use Desktop Shortcuts

If you frequently use certain apps, you can create custom desktop shortcuts for them. This way, you can access them directly without relying on the Start Menu or Apps list.

2. Organize Apps into Folders

You can group similar apps into folders on your desktop to keep them organized and reduce clutter. This can also make it easier to hide or reveal multiple apps at once.

3. Customize Taskbar Icons

Windows 10 allows you to customize taskbar icons for your favorite apps, making them easily accessible. You can even pin frequently used apps for quick access.

Conclusion

Hiding apps on Windows 10 can provide a cleaner and more organized desktop environment, as well as enhance privacy by keeping certain apps out of sight. Whether you choose to utilize built-in features like rearranging tiles on the Start Menu or advanced third-party software options, controlling app visibility is a straightforward process. Take advantage of the various methods available to hide apps and customize your Windows 10 experience according to your preferences.

How to Hide Apps on Windows 10

Windows 10 provides users with the option to hide apps from the desktop or Start menu, ensuring privacy and organization. Here are two methods to hide apps on Windows 10:

Method 1: Hide Apps from Start Menu

To hide apps from the Start menu:

• Open the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon located on the taskbar.
• Right-click on the app you want to hide.
• Select "More" from the context menu.
• Choose "Pin to Start" option to remove the app from the Start menu.

Method 2: Hide Apps from Desktop

If you want to remove apps from the desktop:

• Right-click on an empty space on the desktop.
• Select "Personalize" from the context menu.
• Go to "Themes" in the left-hand menu.
• Click on "Desktop icon settings".
• Deselect the apps you want to hide and click "OK".

By following these steps, you can easily hide apps on Windows 10, maintaining a clutter-free and private desktop or Start menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about hiding apps on Windows 10:

1. Can I hide specific apps on Windows 10?

Yes, you can hide specific apps on Windows 10 by using the built-in App Hider feature. To do this, follow these steps:

First, right-click on the Start button and select "Settings" from the menu. In the Settings window, click on "Personalization" and then choose "Start" from the left sidebar. Scroll down until you see the option "Show app list in Start menu" and toggle it off. This will hide all the apps from the Start menu.

If you want to hide specific apps from the app list, you can right-click on the app you want to hide and select "Unpin from Start." This will remove the app from the app list. However, please note that this will only hide the app from the Start menu, and it will still be accessible from other parts of the system.

2. How can I hide apps from the taskbar in Windows 10?

To hide apps from the taskbar in Windows 10, you can use the "Hide" feature. Here's how:

Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings" from the context menu. In the Taskbar settings window, scroll down until you see the section "Notification area" and click on "Select which icons appear on the taskbar."

In the next window, toggle off the apps that you want to hide from the taskbar. Once you've done that, the selected apps will no longer appear on the taskbar.

3. Can I hide apps from the Windows 10 Start menu search?

Yes, you can hide apps from the Windows 10 Start menu search. Here's how:

Open the Start menu and type "Cortana & Search settings" in the search bar. Click on the "Cortana & Search settings" option that appears in the search results.

In the Cortana & Search settings window, scroll down until you see the section "Find My Files" and toggle off the switch. This will prevent the hidden apps from appearing in the search results.

4. Is it possible to password protect hidden apps on Windows 10?

No, Windows 10 does not have a built-in feature to password protect hidden apps. However, you can use third-party apps or software to password protect specific apps on your system. There are many options available online, but make sure to choose a reputable and secure solution.

5. How can I unhide apps on Windows 10?

To unhide apps on Windows 10, you can reverse the steps mentioned above. Here's how:

If you hid the apps from the Start menu, go to the Settings window, click on "Personalization," choose "Start" from the left sidebar, and toggle on the "Show app list in Start menu" option.

If you hid the apps from the taskbar, go to the Taskbar settings window, toggle on the apps that you want to show on the taskbar.

To unhide apps from the Windows 10 Start menu search, go to the Cortana & Search settings window and toggle on the "Find My Files" switch.

To summarize, hiding apps on Windows 10 is a simple and effective way to keep your desktop organized and maintain your privacy. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily hide any app you want from prying eyes. Whether you want to hide pre-installed apps, sensitive applications, or just declutter your desktop, Windows 10 provides you with the necessary tools.

Remember, hiding an app doesn't delete it or prevent it from functioning. It simply removes the icon from your desktop or Start menu, making it less visible to others. Additionally, if you ever want to unhide an app, you can easily do so by reversing the same steps. With these tricks up your sleeve, you can maintain a clean and organized desktop while keeping your personal information secure.