Resolved What is a desktop.ini file?

I have several of these files on my desktop and have moved them to a folder on the desktop called unused desktop icons. What are they for? And do I need to keep them?

 

These files store your folder preferences. These are normally marked as hidden & system and thus cannot be seen but if you configure Windows to show hidden & system files, these files appear on the desktop. There is no point in deleting or moving them as they would be created automatically by Windows.

More info http://www.win7heads.com/microsoft-windows-7-newsgroup/89361-desktop-ini.html.

 

Since I have 4 of them now (maybe because I moved them to my unused icons desktop folder) can I delete them all and just let one get created on the desktop and leave it there? I think it showed up when I checked desktop in the tool bar.

 

I prefer to see hidden files. Do you think I could delete them except
for the most recent?

 

Thanks. I will delete them and let one get created and leave it be.

 

You can hide the desktop.ini files by unchecking the line that says "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) ". Uncheck that line and leave the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" line checked and you'll get rid of them and still be able to see just about any hidden file you need or probably want to see. Give it a try. You can always change it back.

 

Thanks Zander. I'll do that.

 

OK, but, I goofed in what I said. Looking back at it, it's all correct except you want to check the line that says hide protected operating system files. Not uncheck it. Sorry about the goof. You'd probably figure it out without me saying it though.

 

I figured that's what you meant