Yes, using VBScript, for example. But if it's a file formatted for word-processing (e.g. doc, docx, rtf) and you want to manipulate its contents, then you'll either need to at least automate the relevant word processor or know a great deal about the file format's internal structure and how to manipulate it.
Sure, and there's plenty of code on these forums that does just that. That code can include hiding documents when they're opened and/or even hiding the entire Word session when Word is being automated.
As indicated above, you could automate Word using VBScript, for example (you could even automate Word from any other Office application!) - and even hide the Word session while that's happening. Or you could use a Word macro to open & process the files without the user seeing them.

For code that demonstrates how Word could be automated from any Office application and the Word session hidden, see: https://www.msofficeforums.com/word-...html#post94106

For a demonstration of a Word macro hiding the files it opens, see: https://www.msofficeforums.com/word-...tml#post112783

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]