Windows 7: What is the Desktop.ini file and How Can I Remove It?
Posted by David Kirk in Windows
Why do I see the desktop.ini file in every folder? How can I get rid of it? One of my neighbors called today asking me all of these questions. Let me explain the function and purpose of this ubiquitous mysterious file.
What is the Desktop.ini file?
This hidden file is placed in every folder to tell the operating system how to display and customize the viewing of that specific folder. For example, this allows a folder to have a custom icon. Microsoft has more boring info about customizing folders with this file.
Why did this file suddenly appear?
The file is typically set as both a hidden and system file. Most people start to notice the desktop.ini file after globally setting their system to show hidden system files and folders. Often it is most noticeable on the desktop. By resetting this setting to hide these files, the desktop.ini files will no longer be visible.
Can I just delete these files?
Deleting these files will just remove any customizations set by the desktop.ini file. Although it should not hurt your system, trying to delete these files can be frustrating as the Windows operating system may rebuild them.
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June 29, 2010 at 5:18 am, Jiltedone said:
Leave as is mate, that will be regenerated by win after a while or on start up, if you do delete it, you might loose something or the desktop will start acting funny.
September 21, 2010 at 5:55 pm, joel said:
go to folder options and click ” dont show hidden folders they will disappear’
November 12, 2010 at 10:24 pm, Dshultz said:
Nice job
November 18, 2010 at 5:39 pm, Timchuks87 said:
worked like a charm. Used t think it was a virus.Thanks
May 12, 2011 at 8:28 pm, reza said:
oh common! you really wanna say that you can’t distinguish between a system file and a virus!!!! usually viruses get back after hitting the refresh button or by double clicking on your drives, but not all off them let you see their beautiful content
November 23, 2010 at 4:56 pm, Terlisner said:
thanks to joel
February 07, 2011 at 5:09 am, Ariel Vergantinos Tapere said:
tanks bro…it really works…good job…
February 23, 2011 at 9:13 am, Rotan Benaia said:
thanks…..nearly delete weird files which look funny in the content of every folders…lucky my sis advice to do some google search…pheeewww that was close!!! thanks again…
March 29, 2011 at 8:01 pm, Yolanda K. said:
Thank you…worked perfectly.
January 21, 2011 at 9:40 pm, critters52 said:
Yah , I deleted it on my computer an noticed the icon for my recycle bin was suddenly missing. foutunitly I was able to get it back via change desktop settings,but it could have been worse. If it’s bothering you, just highlight and move it to you doc folder.. out of sight out of mind.
November 10, 2010 at 5:43 pm, Soj said:
1. Open the Windows Explorer
2. Click on Organize and then on Folder and search options
3. Go to the tab View and scroll down.
4. Check the option Hide protected operating system files and click on Apply:
This will just hide desktop.ini files.
January 08, 2011 at 10:34 am, Sabih Star said:
Thanks man, I did it and its disappear at once.
January 29, 2011 at 10:49 pm, Andrew said:
Step 1.a: Select Desktop.
Other than that, thanks for the advice. Worked a treat.
February 16, 2011 at 1:51 pm, Fbashyam said:
Thank you and good wishse
March 10, 2011 at 4:45 am, johnrobert said:
thank you soj..
March 19, 2011 at 11:05 pm, Barc777 said:
I’d like to see the protected operating files, with the exception of desktop.ini. Is there any way to do that?
March 19, 2011 at 11:11 pm, Barc777 said:
Figured it out. Went to “Computer” in Windows Explorer, and unchecked “Hide”, clicked “Apply to all”, then went to my own profile’s desktop and checked “Hide”, but without clicking “Apply to all”. Worked like a champ!
March 19, 2011 at 11:15 pm, Barc777 said:
P. S. I don’t really care whether I see it in WinEx folders; just don’t like it on the desktop. (One of my co-workers likes such a clean desktop that she has NO shortcuts, while another one has them all the way across his… There’s nought s’ strange as folk!)
December 16, 2010 at 5:47 pm, Jtannercc33914 said:
Thanks Soj, I had one desktop.ini icon on the desktop for over a year now (when I got my new computer with Win7). That was annoying enough, but a second popped up a few days ago so it was time to do something. Your solution worked like a charm.
December 18, 2010 at 2:40 pm, Jamilu said:
Yeah it work for me.Thanks lol
December 21, 2010 at 12:14 pm, Idiotsrus said:
Setting your folder to show hidden, and then setting it back to hidden is maybe the stupidest advice iv’e ever heard.
Just accept its there. Microsoft dont hire the brightest lightbulbs, so youre kinda stuck with.
December 24, 2010 at 12:53 am, Aeitawinai said:
Thnx Soj for lifting dis burden off my shoulders…You great..
December 29, 2010 at 12:47 am, Atorres2005 said:
Great info, Thanks a lot
January 09, 2011 at 6:53 pm, Tom said:
What if you have two desktop.ini files. I do and suspect that confuses the windows os.
February 04, 2011 at 12:21 pm, Schmopinions said:
You have 2 desktop.ini files showing because the icons on your desktop are actually from 2 different folders: C:UsersDesktop and C:UsersPublicDesktop. Check this by right clicking on an icon and selecting Porperties. Look for “Location:” in the window that comes up. This is because there are personal icons and applications for each user and icons and applications for all the users.
March 01, 2011 at 11:45 am, SlowEddie1 said:
Thank you. After suspecting my virus software had let something nasty get into my system i was close to a format. The information i found here with a simple cure saved me many hours of trouble backing up files. Again many thanks.
March 05, 2011 at 5:53 am, man_ana said:
Thank you. I’ve been wondering about this since forever. Thanks again!
March 30, 2011 at 11:48 am, Ali Cobra13 said:
thank you !!! very good
May 10, 2011 at 8:12 am, Drprem said:
what if i deleted this
August 03, 2011 at 7:13 pm, Jwarner said:
Now how do you get rid of B845EF76.EXE
August 22, 2011 at 12:12 pm, cristiano said:
ok well i just wanna thank joel his advice works its just help me to remove the desktop in my folders thanks again joel
January 27, 2012 at 8:10 am, la' vee said:
thnks soj u such a genius..
February 08, 2012 at 9:19 am, nichin said:
cool…. thanx a lot… i was worried that it was a virus.. spreading like hell… lol
May 09, 2012 at 2:32 am, ashish said:
Thanks dude for this valuable info.