Vista – Desktop.ini files shown on the desktop

Vista – Desktop.ini Files Shown on the Desktop

Q: I have enabled the Show hidden files and folders setting in the Folder Options. Now, the two Desktop.ini icons are now showing on the desktop. I know that one comes from the C:\Users\Public\Desktop, the other comes from the current users Desktop folder. How do I hide them whilst still keeping other hidden files and folder visible?

A: The two desktop.ini files by default have the System, Hidden and Read-only attributes assigned. So they should not be showing on the Desktop unless the following option is disabled in Folder Options:

Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)

When I faced this problem in my own computer running Windows Vista, the option Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) was already enabled. Later I found that the ShowSuperHidden value was not present in the registry, but its corresponding GUI option Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) is enabled though. This sounds like a bug to me.

Fix

I then got this working by opening Folder Options (by typing CONTROL FOLDERS in Start – Search box), unchecked Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) and clicked Apply. Then re-checked the option and clicked Apply, OK.

The two desktop.ini files are no longer visible on the Desktop.

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17 Responses to “Vista – Desktop.ini Files Shown on the Desktop”

Johan

said this on Thursday, March 5th 2009 4:55 pm

That Hides ALL hidden files from explorer. Not acceptable for power users.

This is not a bug in Vista, Vista is a BUG.
sameer

said this on Thursday, February 5th 2009 2:40 am

thanks a lot. it has worked for me
Scott

said this on Monday, January 19th 2009 11:03 pm

Worked for me also, except I had a twist. The box was not checked and the desktop.ini icon disappeared after I checked the box and applied!
saranya

said this on Friday, January 16th 2009 2:31 pm

these desktop.ini files are not any kind of virus right???
Aasif

said this on Thursday, December 25th 2008 12:23 pm

Hi Ramesh,

Thank you buddy for your valued tip. But is this a virus created file as is mentioned by some of the people. Please let me know as i hope my system does not have a virus remaining undetected by anti-virus utility.

Rgds

Aasif
robert

said this on Friday, December 12th 2008 1:31 am

i just reformat my c: but before doing so, i copied all the folders in c:”my documents” to d:backup. After format, i rename my user profile with a different name. after restart to conclude my format, this desktop.ini started to appear in my desktop, two icons and in other folders.
thanks for the simplest solution, i fixed it your way.
Kamakshi Prasad Panda

said this on Friday, November 7th 2008 2:25 pm

Hi Ramesh,
Your solution has worked for me too. I was having the same problem & the same way I opened the control folder from the start search button & clicked the tab view. Then checked the Hide protected operating files ( Recommended )- ON. Both the desktop.ini files disappeared from the desktop. Thanks for your suggestion.

Regards,
Kamakshi
Patti

said this on Tuesday, October 21st 2008 2:08 am

I spent 4 hours trying to find help for the desktop.ini issue. Because it had sudden;t appeared on my desktop I wanted to make sure that it wasn’t a bug of some kind. Your solution worked perfectly and it was simple. Thanks a bunch.
minorgeek

said this on Sunday, August 24th 2008 10:41 am

if i understand correctly :), you haven’t actually answered the original question. following your procedure, i end up with system files hidden. then, of course, the desktop.ini files do not show. but the question was: if i want to see (not hide) system files, how can i hide the desktop.ini files? i don’t think there’s a way to do that, is there? you can delete ‘em, but them seem to return.
Mark

said this on Saturday, April 5th 2008 5:07 pm

This worked like a champ…thx for this tip.

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