# Question about "hidden" config nodes

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-about-hidden-config-nodes/49173>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [1 August 2021 22:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-about-hidden-config-nodes/49173 "2021-08-01T22:17:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Gunner](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/gunner/32/43582_2.png) [@Gunner](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Gunner)\
**Post date:** [1 August 2021 22:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-about-hidden-config-nodes/49173/1 "2021-08-01T22:17:45Z")

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This is more a curiosity... but apparently I have "unused config" nodes that are hidden in my Node-Red setup. And as of yet, I haven't figured out how to find out what they are.

And an additional 2 of them are apparently even more hidden then the rest 😛

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/7/c/7c709fe8b43ccd2332f2de8a2f1b72d1dcc62c99.png)

After some reading and clicking, I am guessing I can "unhide" them with the `ui_control` node... but operating that thing is a mystery all on it's own.

Or am I being curious about nothing?

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**Author:** ![knolleary](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/knolleary/32/3_2.png) [@knolleary](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/knolleary)\
**Post date:** [1 August 2021 22:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-about-hidden-config-nodes/49173/2 "2021-08-01T22:23:17Z")

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> [@Gunner](#):
>
> but apparently I have "unused config" node that are hidden in my Node-Red setup

You currently have the "unused" filter applied.

The Hidden nodes are those that don't match the filter - in other words, they are config nodes that are being used.

You have 37 'Global' config nodes that can be used on any flow. You have 5 config nodes that can only be used on the RPi... Flow, and 15 on each of the other tabs. This is the "scope" if the nodes - which can be set by the select box at the bottom of the config node's edit dialog.

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**Author:** ![Gunner](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/gunner/32/43582_2.png) [@Gunner](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Gunner)\
**Post date:** [1 August 2021 22:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-about-hidden-config-nodes/49173/3 "2021-08-01T22:35:00Z")

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Thanks... I think 😛

I am still a bit fuzzy on the whole "background control" aspect of Node-Red.

But your explanation seems to indicate that the "Hidden" part is not what I thought it was... as in remnants of many downloaded and deleted flows from "assisting" others (and I use the term loosely as I have much to learn myself).

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [15 August 2021 22:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-about-hidden-config-nodes/49173/4 "2021-08-15T22:35:16Z")

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