How to Hide Apps on Windows Desktop/Laptop (Windows 10/Windows 11)

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In today’s digital world, privacy and organization are key concerns for many Windows users. Whether you're sharing your computer with family members, colleagues, or simply want to declutter your desktop, hiding apps can be a useful solution. Windows offers several built-in and third-party methods to conceal applications, ensuring a cleaner interface and added security.

While Windows doesn’t have a direct "hide apps" feature like smartphones do, there are multiple workarounds to achieve the same effect. From using native settings to leveraging third-party tools, this guide will explore all the possible ways to hide apps effectively on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Some users may want to hide apps to prevent accidental deletion, while others might need to keep certain programs private. Regardless of the reason, learning these techniques will help you maintain a more organized and secure computing environment.

This guide will cover step-by-step instructions for different methods, including hiding desktop icons, using folder tricks, modifying the Start menu, and even employing encryption for sensitive applications. By the end, you’ll have a complete understanding of how to manage app visibility on your Windows system.

Let’s dive into the various techniques you can use to hide apps on your Windows desktop or laptop, ensuring better privacy and a clutter-free workspace.

Methods to Hide Apps on Windows

1. Hiding Desktop Icons

One of the simplest ways to hide apps is by removing their icons from the desktop.

Right-click on an empty area of your desktop.
Select View and then uncheck Show desktop icons.
All icons will disappear, but the apps remain installed.

To access them again, simply re-enable the setting.

2. Using Hidden Folders

You can move app shortcuts into a hidden folder:

Create a new folder on your desktop.
Right-click the folder, select Properties.
Under the General tab, check Hidden and click Apply.
Move your app shortcuts into this folder—they’ll now be invisible unless you enable "Show hidden files" in File Explorer.

3. Modifying the Start Menu

Windows 10 and 11 allow you to hide apps from the Start menu:

Open Settings (Win + I).
Go to Personalization > Start.
Click Choose which folders appear on Start (Windows 10) or Folders (Windows 11).
Toggle off apps you want to hide.

4. Using Third-Party Tools

For advanced hiding, tools like Winaero Tweaker or Hide Folders can help:

Winaero Tweaker lets you hide apps from the Start menu and taskbar.
Hide Folders can encrypt and hide entire directories containing apps.

5. Disabling Apps via Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise Editions)

If you're on Windows Pro/Enterprise, you can disable apps via Group Policy Editor:

Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
Navigate to:
- User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
Enable "Remove All Programs list from the Start menu" to hide apps.

How to Hide Apps on Windows Home Screen (Desktop)

The Windows desktop (or "home screen") is often cluttered with icons, making it difficult to find important files or maintain a clean workspace. Whether you're looking to hide personal apps from prying eyes or simply want a minimalist desktop, there are several ways to conceal applications without uninstalling them.

1. Disable Desktop Icons Completely

The quickest way to hide all desktop icons:

Right-click on an empty desktop area.
Go to View > Uncheck Show desktop icons.
All icons will disappear instantly.
- To bring them back, re-enable the option.

2. Hide Individual Desktop Shortcuts

If you only want to hide specific apps:

Right-click the shortcut you want to hide.
Select Properties.
Under the General tab, check Hidden.
Click Apply > OK.
- The shortcut will vanish unless "Hidden items" is enabled in File Explorer.

3. Use a Hidden Folder to Store Shortcuts

A more organized approach:

Create a new folder on the desktop.
Right-click it > Properties > Check Hidden.
Move app shortcuts inside this folder.
- They’ll stay hidden unless you enable "Show hidden files."

4. Change Shortcut Icons to "Invisible"

For a stealthier approach:

Right-click a shortcut > Properties > Change Icon.
Scroll to find a blank/transparent icon (or download one).
Rename the shortcut to a single space (press Alt+255 for an invisible name).
- The app will still launch but won’t be easily visible.

5. Use Third-Party Tools (e.g., Fences, Hide Folders)

For advanced users:

Fences (by Stardock) lets you organize and hide desktop icons in collapsible groups.
Hide Folders can encrypt and hide entire folders containing apps.

How to Hide Apps on Windows Start Menu

The Windows Start Menu is the central hub for accessing apps, but sometimes you may want to hide certain programs—whether for privacy, decluttering, or restricting access. Fortunately, Windows 10 and 11 offer multiple ways to customize the Start Menu by hiding unwanted apps.

1. Unpin Apps from Start (Manual Removal)

For quick decluttering:

Open the Start Menu.
Right-click the app you want to hide.
Select Unpin from Start.
- The app remains installed but won’t appear in the Start Menu.

2. Hide Apps via Settings (Windows 10 & 11)

To prevent certain apps from appearing:

Open Settings (Win + I).
Go to Personalization > Start.
Click Choose which folders appear on Start (Win 10) or Folders (Win 11).
Toggle off apps you want to hide.

3. Use Group Policy (Windows Pro/Enterprise Only)

For deeper control:

Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
Navigate to:
- User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
Enable "Remove All Programs list from the Start menu" to hide everything.
- Alternatively, use "Remove frequent programs list" to hide suggestions.

4. Modify Registry to Hide Specific Apps (Advanced Users)

For granular control:

Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.

Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named Start_ShowMyGames.
Set its value to 0 to hide gaming apps.
- Similar keys exist for other app categories.

5. Use Third-Party Tools (e.g., Start11, Winaero Tweaker)

For more customization:

Start11 (by Stardock) lets you fully customize the Start Menu, including hiding apps.
Winaero Tweaker allows disabling recommended apps and tiles.

Conclusion

Hiding apps on Windows can significantly improve both privacy and desktop organization. Whether you choose native methods like hiding desktop icons or third-party tools for deeper concealment, each technique offers unique advantages.

For casual users, simply disabling desktop icons or using hidden folders may suffice. However, those needing stronger privacy might prefer encryption-based solutions or Group Policy adjustments.

By applying these methods, you can maintain a cleaner, more secure Windows environment tailored to your needs. Experiment with different approaches to find the best fit for your workflow!