Lots of Vista users are facing a strange problem and I'm getting lots of mails asking for the solution. The problem is, the folder icons in User folder change from special glass icons to simple folder icons.
Look at the following screenshot:
This is how the icons look in User folder which can be accessed using "%userprofile%" command or just select your username in Startmenu (just below the user pic).
But sometimes these icons (all or some) become simple default folder icons. It happens when "Desktop.ini" file becomes corrupted. Actually all these special glass icons are displayed using "desktop.ini" file which is present in each folder (hidden). Sometimes a few software make this file corrupt and these folders start showing simple folder icon.
The solution is very simple. Just replace "desktop.ini" file present in the corrupt folder with default one. The default "desktop.ini" file for each folder is given below, just download the desired desktop.ini file (Right-click on the file and select "Save Link As..." or "Save Target As...") and paste in the folder which is showing corrupt icon.Windows will ask to overwrite the existing file, select "Copy & Replace".
Contacts - Desktop.ini
Desktop - Desktop.ini
Documents - Desktop.ini
Downloads - Desktop.ini
Favorites - Desktop.ini
Links - Desktop.ini
Music - Desktop.ini
Pictures - Desktop.ini
Saved Games - Desktop.ini
Searches - Desktop.ini
Videos - Desktop.ini
NOTE: Log off or End Task of "explorer.exe" from Task Manager to see the changes.
Complete list of AskVG articlesThis article was posted in Troubleshooting, Windows Vista.
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Mason
Thank you soo much.
Ive been having a problem with that for so long
Stephen
I appreciate someone looking into this problem, as I have had the same problem for a couple months now.
That being said... I did exactly what the instructions said, and it did fix my Downloads folder, but the Music & Videos folder are still corrupted. I've downloaded the new desktop.ini files multiple times, but can't get it to work. Any help would be appreciated.
Also it didn't specify whether or not to 'hide' the files once downloaded, also do I 'unblock' the files??
VG
Double check that you download the correct Desktop.ini files for these folders and put the correct file in the folders.
You can hide them or can leave them as they are. It doesnt matter.
rebakan
Sorry, I know here is not Windows XP Pro, but I'm having a problem i don't know what is. In my pc the folders show with no name at all, just a gray square around it, but no name.It's hard to find out which folder is what.Can you help me?Thanks in advance, rebakan.
VG
^^ Open that folder, press "Shift" key in keyboard and right click in the empty area of folder. Now click on "View -> Thumbnails" option. It should bring back the names.
rebakan
Thanks, very much!it did helped me a lot! no problem any more!
rebakan
Blah
^^ Open that folder, press “Shift” key in keyboard and right click in the empty area of folder. Now click on “View -> Thumbnails” option. It should bring back the names.
Kopalco
i have same problme put dont have english version and i dont know how change it back?
All filed changed to tor. file put i dont know how changes it back.
Even cant use System restore need program to open that exe.
id212
i have a problem .. my folders with pictures and video seems to be able to NOT show pictures by itself. I have to actually click it to see what pictures it is or video it actually is. it just suddenly happened.
usually, when a window is open in my pictures folders, the pictures can bee seen just in a smaller size but now, it doesn't show and only show logos for everything! or in a video file, you can see that its a video cuz its black looking. but now, everything seems to be the logo of the program it is opening to. so for e.g. all of my videos file will be just an R logo because it uses realplayer. while my pictures will show another logo!! ...
i need help ... i hope you get what i mean ..
thank you!
id212
omg .. don't worry!! i just fixed it!!! omg .. but thanx for this help too!