Here are the details to re-create this bug:
1. Goto "Organize -> Folder & Search Options".
2. In "View" tab, enable "Show hidden files and folders" option and disable "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" option.
3. Now check the Desktop and you'll see 2 "desktop.ini" files on desktop.
Now you'll say what's the bug here? The bug is, these 2 files should not be visible on Desktop at all. In earlier versions of windows (like XP) no such files were shown on desktop even the file exists in desktop folder. These files are used to customize folder settings.
I came to know that one file is for current user settings and the other file is for all users profile settings.
Many power users enable "show hidden files/folders" option and disable the option "hide protected system files" in their system but also they want a clean desktop. But its not the case in Vista.
To make it more clear, "Desktop.ini" file also exists in other system folders like "Temporary Internet Files", "History", etc but these folders don't show these files even after enabling/disabling the options mentioned in Step2, then why Desktop shows these 2 files? Strange, very strange...
Complete list of AskVG articlesThis article was posted in Bugs Report, Windows Vista.
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Bob
Hey dude,
Why do you want to see hidden files on your desktop? Just say dont show hidden files or folders and apply it only to your desktop folder.
They go away. Its really no big deal, hidden files on the desktop that you WANT to see shouldnt have the hidden attribute even set. Thats just dumb
VG
Hi Bob
You didnt read it carefully. First of all "Show Hidden files/folders" option affects all file/folders. You can't set it to any particular folder.
And the goof-up was. Many ppl enable "show hidden files/folders" and "Show Protected system files" options but it should not show those 2 desktop.ini files on desktop.
If you remember, windows XP didnt show such files even after setting those 2 options.
Also in "Temporary Internet Files", "History", "Recent Files", etc folder "Desktop.ini" file exists but doesnt show even after enabling both options. But its strange that the same file shows on desktop.
Thats why I called it goof-up. I hope you got the point.
colby
I'm with you.. I can't stand the two hidden ini files, and so far can't find any fix.
the best thing I came up with is to hide them on my second desktop and make my sidebar always on top.. you never see them.. but you 'always' have to have sidebar running, which i hate.
VG
^^ Thanks. Thats what I was talking about.
Coldplayer
umm i just deleted them....easiest way to fix it..they dont come back or anything...and also there arnt any bad side effects...
Powerking
I've got the fix...install an operating system that works well...like Linux, or if you MUST Windows XP. Dont buy into the Vista garbage....
VG
^^ lol.
VaibhaV
If you really want to see hidden files, then you must also see the DESKTOP.INI -whats the issue here? Isn't is great that you get to see ALL the hidden files? You bear with the hidden/system files in other folders, then why not on the desktop?
The best solution would be to enable the Show Hidden Files option only when you need to see the hidden files and keep it disabled the rest of the time. Workarounds are always better
VG
^^ Its not about hidden files. Its about the system files which are used to distinguish special folders like Desktop, Temporary Internet Files, History, Cookies from other folders.
If you see carefully, "Desktop.ini" file is not visible in these remaining folder even after enabling Show hidden files option and disabling "Hide protected files" option, then why it shows on Desktop? Which is quite irritating.
UncleBob
I deleted these nasty files a while ago. Looks like it's not a big deal. Everything is just fine so far. That was a good joke from Vista developers anyway.