Unwanted "Desktop.ini" icons appear on desktop. Windows 7 64bit

Anonymous
2009-12-13T07:16:51+00:00

These icons are not short cuts, but notepad files.  Why are they there?   How can they be eliminated?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Ramesh 181.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2009-12-13T09:17:29+00:00

Hi AntipodeamRJ,

Enabling the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) setting in Folder Options hides the two Desktop.ini files, as well. To access the Folder Options, open Windows Explorer, click Organize, click Folder and Search Options and select the View tab.

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Desktop Experience]

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-12-03T04:58:04+00:00

    Yes, it does OCCUR wirh Vista. I have two desktop.ini files

    right now on the desktop and it is why I'm here reading.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-11-14T09:38:38+00:00

    I eventually just put one on top of the other, so at least there is only 'one' visible....:-)....

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-11-14T03:48:26+00:00

    I too hope Microsoft would introduce some patch that allow users like us to hide "desktop.ini" from appearing on the desktop, but yet without having to enable hide protected operating system files.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-08-15T12:35:43+00:00

    thank you very much for this information. it was realy helpful for me.

    but were they harmful to my PC

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