Share via

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

  1. 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.

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

58 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. 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.

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-02T22:00:13+00:00

    Why anyone would mark this as an answer is beyond me: it utterly fails to answer the OP.

    "When a change is made in these folders, Desktop.ini is updated."

    --  Not true.  This file is modified only when certain particular customizations are made.  (No one really does this, do they?)

    "Removing the file will cause issues with the Operating System"

    --  Not true.  Removing one of these files will remove any customizations it was holding.  (And since no one ever does this removing the file will do nothing.  I have removed hundreds without issue.)

    "If you want to stop these messages"

    --  Messages?  [shakes head]

    "Hide protected operation system files"

    --  This is exactly what the OP said he didn't want to do.

    10 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 ....

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-02T22:04:40+00:00

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

    This is not true.  I remove them whenever I find them and I have icons on my Desktop (and elsewhere).

    There is a registry change which will prevent them from being created and which works at least from XP to Win7:

    http://jamesisin.com/a_high-tech_blech/index.php/2010/09/nevermore-be-bothered-by-desktop-ini/

    I have seen reports that this will not work in Win8 but I cannot confirm or deny this (though the OP here also suggests this is not working).

    It would be nice to see a proper solution to this problem.

    5 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments