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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Mike
Haha, I know EXACTLY what VG means, some people just dont understand how the more advanced user would want to have all hidden/system files shown at all times.. For windows XP it made an exception for the Desktop.. which was great! but in Vista it shows those horrible Desktop.ini's
They are safe to delete, and I tested deleting them, refreshing the desktop and then tried to restore them but Windows said they were already there and asked to replace.. but I could no longer see them on the desktop. It looks like the feature from XP is still there but its a bit bugged.. it seemed to only kick in after deleting them. Odd..
VG
^^ Exactly. I'm glad you understood it completely.
Carmen
Actually, you can do it. You can have hidden and superhidden files showing, and not see the desktop.ini files on your desktop. What you do is:
1) Assign a blank (transparent) default icon to .ini files (inifiles on the registry).
)
2) If you have "show extensions" enabled, you need to add a value in the registry to not show the extensions only for .ini files (NeverShowExt).
3) Finally, use a free program such as iconoid to make the text of your desktop icons be the same color as you desktop's background (assuming you are using a solid color, but if you are annoyed by desktop.ini files showing (as am I), you probably don't have a full color picture of your baby niece as your background either
Note that none of your other desktop icons would show their text either, but that's only an added bonus in my book... At least now I don't have to Alt-255 them into oblivion...
Good luck!
cerhn
But it shouldn't be necessary. There is such a thing as professionalism. Most semi-aware users are going to want to see hidden files. Those should not be stored by default on something so visible as the Desktop. It's just bad design.
Invince_Z
hi there,
I hope i not too late.
I you enable both "Show hidden files and folders” and “Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)”, you still can hide both "Desktop.ini".
The trick?
Right click on desktop --> View --> Untick "View Desktop Icons".
* by doing this you'll hide all files and folders on you desktop.
Gopinath M
Vista is making life more tough....
Carmen
>Right click on desktop –> View –> Untick “View Desktop Icons”.
>* by doing this you’ll hide all files and folders on you desktop.
I think the point is to hide only the .ini files, not every icon, file or folder on the desktop
Aravinda
I can't understand why do you use Win Vista
Use Linux, No problem, No Virus !!
Yonah
Linux is a piece of crap with a terrible software selection, shoddy driver support, and the worst part of all... an arrogant and childish user base that annoys everyone else. Go away fanboys, we don't want your problems.
MoToR
People that are starting to suggest to just hide system or hidden files and that's it or to use other operating systems are showing off or plain dumb (no offence, but that's the situation).
So guys, please, realize that you are _not_ helpful and save yourself these useless keyboard clicks.
Thank you.
1 VG