Hidden Shared Resources

When sharing a resource (a complete disk or a directory or a printer), you can on Windows95/98/NT4 declare the share to be a "hidden" share by having a $-sign at the end of the sharename:


When Browsing now the network (like in Explorer, Find-Computer or Network-Neighborhood), such hidden-resources will NOT be displayed:

Although the F-Drive of P120_HOME is shared,
it is NOT displayed.


To gain access to such a hidden resource, you MUST know its name.
Use the context-menu (right mouse-button) of "My Computer" or "Network Neighborhood":

select "Map Network Drive" and:

and enter now the UNC of the hidden resource:
\ \ <computername>\<sharename>

Once a hidden disk resource is mapped or a hidden printer is installed, it can be used like any other network resource.

About Johannes Helmig

Dr.Johannes Helmig is working as Director, Technical Knowledge Management in the Belgium office of Gerber Technology where he is involved in Customer Service and internal training, with special interest in Networking.

Click here for Johannes Helmig's section.

Receive all the latest articles by email!

Get all articles delivered directly to your mailbox as and when they are released on WindowsNetworking.com! Choose between receiving instant updates with the Real-Time Article Update, or a monthly summary with the Monthly Article Update. Sign up to the WindowsNetworking.com Monthly Newsletter, written by Dr. Tom Shinder, containing news, the hottest tips, Networking links of the month and much more. Subscribe today and don't miss a thing!



Receive all the latest articles by email!

Receive Real-Time & Monthly WindowsNetworking.com article updates in your mailbox. Enter your email below!
Click for Real-Time sample & Monthly sample

Become a WindowsNetworking.com member!

Discuss your network issues with thousands of other network administrators. Click here to join!

Community Area

Log in | Register

Readers' Choice

Which is your preferred network administration tool?