HideDotFolders

Small .NET Framework 4.8 Windows service that hides immediate child files and folders whose names start with . in a configured user profile root.

The scan is non-recursive. For example, C:\Users\you\.ssh and C:\Users\you\.gitconfig are handled, but nested items are not scanned.

Items listed in visible-items.txt stay visible. If a listed file or folder is currently hidden, the service removes the Hidden attribute.

Build

Uses the .NET Framework compiler included with Windows.

.\build.ps1

Output:

HideDotFolders.exe

Install

Run PowerShell as Administrator:

.\install-service.ps1

By default the script configures the service for the installing user's profile root. To target another profile:

.\install-service.ps1 -ProfileRoot "C:\Users\someone"

Visible Items Config

Create visible-items.txt next to HideDotFolders.exe.

Use one complete file or folder name per line, including the leading dot:

.ssh
.config
.nuget
.gitconfig

Paths are not accepted in this file. Each name is resolved as an immediate child of the configured profile root.

Uninstall

Run PowerShell as Administrator:

.\uninstall-service.ps1

Manual Run

Useful for testing from a console:

.\HideDotFolders.exe --console --profile "$env:USERPROFILE"