In Windows settings, shared items that end with a dollar sign ($) are known as what?

Shared items in Windows settings that end with a dollar sign ($) are referred to as hidden shares. This naming convention is intentional, as it designates the share as not being visible to users when they browse the network. Users can still access these shares if they know the exact name of the share, but they will not appear in a network browsing interface.

The purpose of hidden shares is to enhance security by preventing casual users from seeing the shared resources, which could include sensitive or administrative files. By using the dollar sign at the end of the share name, system administrators can create shares for administrative purposes or other uses without disclosing them to all users on the network.

Visible shares, active shares, and public shares do not utilize this naming convention and do not share the same level of security control as hidden shares, making it easier for users to view and access those resources when browsing.