Do you want to hide apps on Windows 11 or Windows 10 without uninstalling them? Maybe you want to keep your desktop organized, prevent certain app shortcuts from appearing in the Start menu, or make your personal applications less visible to other people using your computer. Whatever your reason, Windows provides several ways to reduce app visibility, depending on where the app appears.
Windows 11 and Windows 10 do not offer one universal setting that completely hides every installed application from all locations. However, you can remove app shortcuts, hide desktop icons, hide folders, and adjust Start menu visibility using different methods.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to hide apps on Windows 11 and 10 using beginner-friendly steps. I’ll also explain the limitations of each method so you can choose an approach that works for your situation.
How to Hide Apps on Windows 11 & 10
To hide apps on Windows 11 and Windows 10, follow these steps:
- Remove app shortcuts from the desktop by right-clicking the shortcut and selecting Delete.
- Hide desktop icons through Windows Personalization or View settings.
- Remove unnecessary shortcuts from the Start menu by unpinning apps or removing their shortcuts.
- Hide app shortcut folders using File Explorer and the Hidden attribute.
- Use Windows folder permissions and a separate user account when you need stronger privacy for personal files and applications.
Important: These methods can hide shortcuts or reduce app visibility, but they do not necessarily uninstall applications or prevent someone from finding them through Windows Search, Settings, or other locations.
Let’s explore the available methods in detail.
1: Remove the App Shortcut From Your Desktop
The easiest way to hide an app from your desktop is to remove its shortcut. This method is useful when you want to keep your desktop clean or prevent an app icon from being immediately visible.
First, locate the app shortcut on your Windows desktop. This could be a shortcut for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, a game, or another installed application. Make sure you identify the shortcut rather than the actual application files.
Right-click the app shortcut and select Delete. Windows may ask you to confirm the action. Select Yes if you want to remove the shortcut from the desktop.
You can also select the shortcut and press Shift + Delete only if you understand that this action permanently deletes the shortcut without sending it to the Recycle Bin. For ordinary desktop shortcuts, using the regular Delete option is sufficient.
Removing the shortcut does not uninstall the application. You can still access the program through other available methods.
For beginners: If you accidentally delete a shortcut, you can usually restore it from the Recycle Bin or create a new shortcut from the app’s installation location.
2: Hide All Desktop Icons in Windows 11 and 10
If you want to hide several app shortcuts at once, Windows allows you to hide all desktop icons. This option is helpful when you want a clean desktop without individually removing every shortcut.
Start by going to your Windows desktop. Right-click an empty area where there are no icons or open windows. Move your mouse pointer to View in the context menu.
You will see an option named Show desktop icons. Click this option to remove the check mark. Windows will immediately hide the icons from your desktop.
The navigation path is:
Desktop > Right-click an empty area > View > Show desktop icons
To show the icons again, repeat the same process and select Show desktop icons to restore the check mark.
This method hides desktop icons but does not remove or uninstall the applications. Your programs remain available through the Start menu, Windows Search, and other access points.
If you want to hide only one or two applications, removing individual shortcuts may be more appropriate. If you want to hide every desktop icon, this method is quicker.
3: Remove Apps From the Windows 11 Start Menu
Windows 11 displays frequently used and selected applications in the Start menu, including pinned apps. If you want to reduce the visibility of a particular app, you can unpin it from the Start menu.
Select the Start button on the Windows taskbar. Find the application you want to remove from the pinned section. If the app is visible, right-click it and select Unpin from Start.
The navigation path is:
Start > Pinned apps > Right-click the app > Unpin from Start
This action removes the app from the pinned area. It does not uninstall the application.
Keep in mind that unpinning an app does not necessarily remove it from the All apps list. Depending on the application and Windows version, the app may still appear there or be accessible through Windows Search.
If your goal is to stop an app from being easily visible in the pinned area, unpinning is a useful option. However, it is not a complete app-hiding solution.
4: Remove App Shortcuts From the Windows Start Menu Folder
Another method is to remove or relocate shortcuts from the Start menu’s program shortcut folders. This approach is more advanced and requires careful handling because the folders can contain shortcuts used by Windows and other users.
Start by pressing Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Type the following command and press Enter:
shell:programs
This command opens the Start menu’s shortcut folder for your current user account in File Explorer.
You can then locate a shortcut for the application you want to remove. Right-click the shortcut and select Delete if you want to remove that shortcut from the current user’s Start menu.
The navigation path is:
Windows + R > shell:programs > Locate the app shortcut > Right-click > Delete
For shortcuts shared across users, you may also find a common Start menu folder. Accessing or modifying that folder can require administrator permission.
Important: Removing a shortcut from this folder does not uninstall the app. The application itself may still appear in Windows Search, Settings, or other locations.
Also, avoid deleting unknown system shortcuts or folders. If you’re not sure what a shortcut does, leave it in place.
5: Hide an App Shortcut Folder Using File Explorer
If you keep app shortcuts inside a specific folder, you can use File Explorer’s Hidden attribute to make that folder less visible during normal browsing.
First, create a folder in a location where you want to organize your shortcuts. For example, you could create a folder named My App Shortcuts. Move the relevant shortcuts into this folder.
Right-click the folder and select Properties. Under the General tab, locate the Attributes section. Select Hidden, then click Apply.
The navigation path is:
File Explorer > Locate the folder > Right-click > Properties > General > Hidden > Apply
Windows may ask whether you want to apply the change to the folder only or to the folder and its contents. Choose the appropriate option based on your needs.
To view hidden folders, open File Explorer and select the View options. In Windows 11, select View > Show > Hidden items. In Windows 10, open the View tab and select Hidden items.
This method hides the folder from normal viewing when hidden items are not displayed. However, it is not a security feature. Anyone who enables hidden items can potentially find the folder.
Also, hiding a shortcut folder does not hide the application itself.
6: Hide an App From the Desktop by Moving Its Shortcut
Instead of deleting an app shortcut, you can move it to another folder. This is useful if you want to keep access to the app without displaying its icon on the desktop.
Open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E. Create a folder in a suitable location, such as your Documents folder. Give the folder a clear name that helps you identify its purpose.
Next, locate the app shortcut on your desktop. Drag the shortcut into the new folder, or use Cut and Paste to move it.
The navigation path is:
Windows + E > Documents > Create a folder > Move the app shortcut into the folder
Once the shortcut has been moved, it will no longer appear on your desktop. You can open the folder whenever you want to access the shortcut.
This method does not change the application’s installation location. It only changes where the shortcut is stored.
If other people use your computer, remember that a folder in your Documents directory may still be accessible to them, depending on account permissions.
Use a Separate Windows User Account for Better Privacy
If you want to prevent other people from accessing your personal applications and files, consider using a separate Windows user account instead of relying only on hidden shortcuts.
A separate account lets you maintain your own desktop settings, documents, and application preferences. You can protect your account with a password or Windows Hello authentication, where supported.
To manage user accounts, open Windows Settings.
In Windows 11, go to:
Start > Settings > Accounts > Other users
In Windows 10, go to:
Start > Settings > Accounts > Family & other users
From there, you can add another user account and configure its access.
A separate account can improve privacy because users typically have their own profile and permissions. However, applications installed for all users may still be available to other accounts. Application access also depends on the app’s installation settings and Windows permissions.
If your objective is to prevent someone from launching a particular application, check whether the application itself supports password protection or account restrictions. Windows does not provide a universal, straightforward setting to password-protect every installed desktop application.
Uninstall an App When You Want It Completely Removed
Sometimes people want to hide an app because they no longer use it. In that case, uninstalling the application may be more suitable than hiding its shortcut.
Before uninstalling, make sure you do not need the app or any files associated with it. Some programs store important data, saved settings, or documents that may not be preserved after removal.
In Windows 11, open:
Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps
In Windows 10, open:
Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features
Find the application you want to remove. Select the available menu or uninstall option, then follow the instructions provided by Windows or the app’s uninstaller.
The exact process may vary depending on the program. Some applications include their own uninstall wizard, while others use Windows’ uninstall interface.
Remember: Uninstalling removes the application, not merely its visibility. If you want to keep the app available for later use, use a shortcut or folder-management method instead.
FAQs
Can I completely hide an installed app on Windows 11?
Windows 11 does not provide one universal option that completely hides every installed app from the Start menu, Windows Search, Settings, and all installation locations. You can hide shortcuts and adjust visibility, but the level of concealment depends on the method you choose.
How do I hide apps on Windows 10 without uninstalling them?
You can remove desktop shortcuts, hide desktop icons, move shortcuts into another folder, or remove shortcuts from the Start menu folders. These methods keep the application installed while changing how easily it can be accessed.
Can I hide an app from Windows Search?
There is no single general setting that reliably hides every desktop application from Windows Search. Some search indexing and privacy settings can change what appears in search results, but the available controls depend on the type of app and Windows version.
Does hiding an app shortcut delete the app?
No. Deleting a shortcut does not normally uninstall the application. The program remains installed unless you explicitly remove it through an uninstall process or another supported method.
Yes. Hiding shortcuts or folders does not guarantee privacy. Other users may still locate an app through Windows Search, Settings, installation directories, or other shortcuts, depending on their account permissions.
Is there a way to hide apps without using third-party software?
Yes. Windows includes options for hiding desktop icons, moving shortcuts, changing Start menu visibility, and hiding folders. However, these features do not provide complete application concealment or universal password protection.