shell32.dll and desktop.ini

Question

Hey guys

i am seeing many desktop.ini popping up in multiple folders... I know many of you are going to ask, so "Yes", i did change the option to show hidden system files.  Im just curious, is it normal for so many desktop.ini files to pop up in random folders?

I have another question, i noticed that many of them are utilizing shell32.dll.  and example of this is:

LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21799

My other question is, what does "shell 32.dll -21799" do?  I also notice that other desktop.ini files are calling shell32.dll but with -2XXXX. Where can i find a translation of what 21799 does along with all the other calls that are made.

Thanks for your help

Answer 1

The numbers are indices to (in this case) string resources in Shell32.dll. They are language-specific. If you're using an English language version of Windows, you would see no difference if you deleted these entries. But if you were using a non-English version, the display names would revert from your native language to English. But on any language version, the default User folders always have English names in the file system. That's the 'Localized' in LocalizedResourceName!

Furthermore, If you rename one of these folders, say rename Documents to Bob, the entry in desktop.ini will change to:

[.ShellClassInfo]

LocalizedResourceName=Bob

But the actual folder name in the file system would remain unchanged (which can be verified by viewing the parent directory in a Command Prompt or PowerShell).

If you search onlne, you can find freeware Resource viewers/hackers which would allow you to explore the contents of dll files (explore a copy, not the original!!!)

Keith

Answer 2

shell32.dll is a library which contains Windows Shell API functions, which are used when opening web pages and files.

Answer 3

sorry, let me ask in a different way - when i see "Shell32.dll -21799", what does the 21799 represent?  Is there a way to translate some of these values and its specific function? Is there a lookup table?

Thanks for your help

Answer 4

Yes, it is normal, because it stores information about the folder and its contents and its state. So, you will see it when show hidden files is enabled.

Answer 5

thanks, i'm seeing it in 7 different folders...  Where do i get a translation of what the numbers for shell32.dll mean?