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Files extension

For a while, this folder does not exist. Except for administrators.

The folder of the negotiation, the dispute, the reorganisation: for a few weeks it must vanish from everyone’s view. “Make confidential” hides it from anyone who is not a Files administrator, subfolders included. When you reopen it, whoever had access has it again, without redoing anything.

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Who sees, not who writes

Files distinguishes two protection axes. This one is “who sees”: the confidential folder disappears from the list, the search, the Gallery, the XLSX index, the document chat for anyone who is not a Files administrator. Access that had been granted is not deleted: it stays saved and blocked — the panel says so, “the set level stays saved and will be valid again when confidentiality is lifted” — and while confidential no new access can be granted. The other axis, “who writes”, is the Read-only protection. They combine.

How it works

  1. Make confidential

    Right-click → Security → Make confidential. Files says how many accesses it is suspending: “Confidential folder: only Files administrators see it. 7 accesses removed”.

  2. Work on it among administrators

    The folder carries the “confidential” chip; inside, granting new access is blocked with an explanation. Subfolders follow.

  3. Lift confidentiality

    Saved accesses become valid again on their own. Whoever should see, sees again — without reassigning anyone.

Not “you cannot open it”. Simply “it is not there”.

What you can do

  • Vanishes everywhere

    List, search, Gallery, XLSX index, document chat, “View as user” preview: the confidential folder is one of the places every Files surface checks.

  • Access paused, not lost

    Levels assigned to people and groups stay written. On reopening, they return. No list to rebuild from memory.

  • Cascading

    Applies to subfolders and their files, with the chip saying which folder the confidentiality comes from.

  • Files administrators only

    Not Managers, not workspace leads: confidentiality is the tightest visibility level Files has.

Frequently asked questions

Who can make a folder confidential?

Whoever has the “Confidentiality” permission in their access level on the folder, plus administrators. Lifting it is the same gesture in reverse.

How is it different from the vault?

The vault protects a file even from administrators, with a code. The confidential folder hides a folder from everyone except administrators, without a code, for a period. They serve two different purposes.

Do public links on a confidential folder work?

No: the public surface follows visibility. While the folder is confidential, links answer “not found”; they return when you reopen it.

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