Disable creation of desktop.ini files in Windows 8

Anonymous
2013-07-23T03:54:32+00:00

Hi all,

I want to know if it is some way to disable creation of desktop.ini files, at least in the desktop system folder.

I knew that in XP there was a DWORD key that should be created to avoid creating all desktop.ini files in the computer.

I don't want the desktop.ini folder features (icon personalization, remembering the last view options in each folder, etc)

So I don't want to hide the desktop.ini files. I want to remove them and avoid Windows 8 creating again and again.

If Microsoft disabled this personalization that was present in older version of Windows and now is not available (to disable creation of desktop.ini files) just say it. If there is some other registry key to be created or modified, please advise.

Thank you

Pablo.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Email and communications

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Anonymous
2013-07-23T23:51:43+00:00

Hi Pablo,

I would like you to inform that Desktop.ini is a system file which deals with common folders such as Downloads, Documents, Pictures, and Music etc. When a change is made in these folders, Desktop.ini is updated.

Removing the file will cause issues with the Operating System and so it is not recommended to remove the files. The desktop.ini file by default has the System, Hidden and Read-only attributes assigned.

If you want to stop these messages, go to Folder Options through Search click settings and you will see Folder Options, click it and the View tab and scroll until you see " Hide protected operation system files (recommended) and put a check in the box.

Hope this answers your query. You can write back to us for further queries/issues related to windows and we will be glad to assist you further.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-11-18T13:50:15+00:00

    Hi Mahes Kumar:

    Your solution worked for me.

    Thank you.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-10-31T06:13:30+00:00

    I was facing the same problem and I followed the same steps as suggested. And now its gone. It was really helpful. Thank you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-10-04T10:27:13+00:00

    Thank you for your step-by-step 

    guidance given. Woked well for me.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-09-13T04:26:05+00:00

    Desktop.ini isn't really a virus? I'm using Windows 8, but I ain't techy. So, I'm not much of a know-it-all with computers and the like. I wanna know if those album art and other jpeg files in my music folders aren't viruses. They showed up when desktop.ini did, I can't open the file, because it's somewhat faded. I freaked out though, so I had my anti-virus scanned my computer again and again. Nothing was found. 

    I tried to delete some desktop.ini the first time I saw them, yet they came back when I restarted my computer. I fear it may cause an error in my Operating System when you said that it's advisable not to mess with them. So far, nothing has happened. Anything I should do?

    I'll be glad for a response. Thank you! :)

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