Fix Desktop.INI Files in Special Folders Using DesktopINIFix for Windows Vista

© Ramesh Srinivasan | Windows Vista | 5th July 2008

Desktop.ini a text file that allows you to specify how a file system folder will be viewed. Sometimes one of the shell folders (say, "Pictures") in your system may show a generic yellow colored icon instead of the special icon originally assigned to it. This happens if the Desktop.ini file in that folder is missing or has incorrect entries. This may also occur if the file has lost its read-only or hidden attribute.

For more information on Desktop.ini, see this MSDN article.

Here is a small utility DesktopINIFix that I wrote which fixes the desktop.ini file for various shell folders in Windows Vista.


Fig 1: DesktopINIFix for Windows Vista

Download: DesktopINIFix.zip

Note: After fixing the Desktop.ini, you may have to logoff and login back (or restart explorer.exe shell) for the folder icons to refresh.

SEE ALSO

Shell folders are displayed with the standard folder icon in Windows Vista

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8 Comments

  1. Ramesh Srinivasan
    said this on Saturday, April 3rd 2010 3:44 pm

    @Steve:Check out http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/vista-desktopini-files-shown-on-the-desktop/

  2. Steve
    said this on Saturday, April 3rd 2010 3:31 pm

    I have Windows7 x64 and was curious about this program as I have 2 Desktop.ini files on the Desktop. As all my “Folders” are Iconic I didn’t try the FIX button. But as a further note, all BUT these were able to display contents: DOWNLOADS, PICTURES and PUBLIC PICTURES.
    If your interested, the contents of My 2 files are:
    TOP INI:

    [.ShellClassInfo]
    LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21799
    [LocalizedFileNames]
    Microsoft Office – 60 Day Trial.lnk=@C:\PROGRA~2\MIDDD5~1\mui\oaa.dll,-103

    LOWER INI:

    [.ShellClassInfo]
    LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21769
    IconResource=%SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-183

    After the MS Ofc Trial is over I’ll remove it and the top desktop.ini

  3. Crouching
    said this on Tuesday, March 16th 2010 12:16 am

    Great program – Thankyou

  4. ballsy
    said this on Monday, July 6th 2009 9:03 am

    i accidentally deleted my desktop.ini in windows/downloaded program files. how can i repair this?

  5. Andrea
    said this on Thursday, June 4th 2009 9:42 am

    the desktop.ini for contacts doesnt work it only could fix my documents :(

  6. Leiah
    said this on Saturday, December 13th 2008 11:16 am

    Hello. I really appreciate your desktop.ini tool and have used it several times in the past quite successfully on my Vista Home Premium system. (Thank you)… However, for some reason it no longer works on this same computer (w/Vista Home Premium). Instead, when I now try to run the program as administrator (or otherwise) I receive an “unspecified error” pop-up window with a red x on it… If you have any idea as to why this might be happening… or any suggestions on how to fix it then I would really appreciate it… Thanks.

  7. carlos
    said this on Wednesday, September 24th 2008 12:06 am

    Great tool! 5*

  8. Earl
    said this on Sunday, August 31st 2008 4:18 am

    I LOVE this tool!!! Manually replacing desktop.ini is not only a bother, sometimes it doesn’t work. I’ve tried fixing it like 50 times before I found this program. Previous attempts were successful though, but this just saves the hassle.

    Thanks!!!!

    -Earl

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