Why can't I see my QNAP shared folder with a dollar sign at the end of the name when using Windows or macOS?
Applicable Products
All NAS series
MacOS
Scenario
When accessing your NAS shared folders over the network using Windows or macOS, you might notice that folders with a $ at the end (like Finance$) are missing from the folder list. This might seem like a problem, but it’s actually expected behavior based on Microsoft standards.
Details
A shared folder ending with a dollar sign ($) is a hidden share. These are not shown in standard folder browsing tools (like File Explorer or Finder), but they are still accessible—if you know the exact folder name.
How to Access a Hidden Share Folder
For Windows:
1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Enter the full path, for example:
\\192.168.1.10\Finance$
3. Press Enter and log in if asked.
For macOS:
1. Open Finder, click Go > Connect to Server.
2. Enter:
smb://192.168.1.10/Finance$
3. Click Connect and log in.
If you want this folder to appear automatically when browsing, rename the shared folder so it does not end in $.
