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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

30+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

58 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-07-24T00:40:45+00:00

    Hi,

    Among other things, the desktop.ini file stores the desktop image and icon images....

    No desktop.ini, no icons on the desktop....

    Same thing with folders. Desktop.ini stores the selected icon.

    The problem exists on Win 7 also. This isn't new in Win 8. I'm not sure when it started, but even XP had a similar file for folders... but not the desktop. I'm not sure if Vista uses it or not.

    I don't like it either. I have hidden files set to be shown, and as a result, I have TWO desktop.ini files on my Win 7 Pro desktop at this very moment....

    I just try to put them in a corner someplace. Out of sight as much as possible.

    Whether there is a way to relocate, hide, or whatever, I don't know.

    But I would like to.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-09-19T07:28:07+00:00

    Have you found the solution ?

    I need to see all hidden system files and folders, it help to locate viruses etc, but i hate to see this Desktop.ini allover.

    I found how to disable thumbs.db. see if u could use it. create new .reg file and paste this there and merge it.

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]

    "DisableThumbsDBOnNetworkFolders"=dword:00000001

    There has to be registry tweak to disable Desktop.ini generation

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-13T16:52:58+00:00

    I have searched and search for an answer to this. And have read all the non answers. mostly just people saying close your eyes and it goes away or you need this file. or some other registry edit that does not work.

    1. Users do not want this file created (not just hidden) as just being there causes trouble with CD/DVD or file copies always nagging about wanting to burn these files even to factory/unburnable media. Do not know how many times I have started a Large file copy and went to bed, only to wake up to the prompt about Deskiop.ini attributes and having to wait for move to finish while trying to use computer. Etc.
    2. Other windows OS did not require this file for simple folder customizations.\

    I personally DO NOT WANT any of the customizations it provides, I was fine with what previous windows OS provided via the Bags in the registry. I am starting to think that the fix is to not use Windows 8. Having trouble with it and Juniper disconnecting and other things that I am starting to think that this is the new Vista (The version to skip) Can I give up my Windows 8 license for a Windows 7 license? I think I was sold $%@#$ware when I bought Windows 8 and should get a refund.

    Sorry for hijacking your thread ....

    Was this answer helpful?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-18T16:18:12+00:00

     

    "Among other things, the desktop.ini file stores the desktop image and icon images....

    No desktop.ini, no icons on the desktop...."

     

     

    Very misleading. Deletion of a desktop.ini file has very little effect on a desktop. You can open any desktop.ini in an editor (NotePad++) to view exactly what it does. In many cases it will be doing things like giving common names to items you don't even have on the desktop.

    Was this answer helpful?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments