What Are Desktop.ini Files, and How Do I Get Rid of Them?

[@askleonotenboom]

✅ Watch next ▶ Windows File Explorer Settings: the Setting You Should Change Right Now ▶ kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJqQoHaIaJKmhZY

[@LauraKnotek]

The other files that a lot of people question are DLL files, which are necessary but people frequently misunderstand the purpose of.

[@Gam3r0wn3d-k3u]

@LauraKnotek loved how Windows XP and earlier warned you before opening the system directory.

[@bigsky1970]

I learned about these desktop.ini files many years ago, dating all the way back to Windows 3.1, and like you say, if you delete them (you won't break your computer doing so) wherever you see them, they'll just be recreated quietly in the background by Windows. Mac OSX has similar files that are also hidden from the user that perform similar functions.

[@John.Mann.1941]

I’m a tiny bit surprised that these settings are stored in .INI files, rather than being hidden in the monstrosity the Windows Registry. I remember the days when almost all configuration settings were in .INI files, and the problem for anyone needing to look at or edit them was finding them. Some in the Windows or Windows/system folders, or maybe in a folder belonging to an application. Some applications even used both location. What fun!

[@PrinceXTC86]

Great video, Mr. Notenboom. I actually had a similar situation just yesterday, however in a different scenario: My Flycast game boxart wasn't refreshing on a new system. But all I had to do was delete the actual boxart folder. And sure enough - on the next restart, it automatically created a new boxart folder and downloaded all the files. (similar to how the desktop.ini file is being reset to default after deleting it)

[@johnburgess2084]

I wish some of the folder settings could be on a per-folder basis. Generally I want to see all hidden files, but I particularly do NOT want to see the hidden .ini files in the Desktop view. But, alas, that setting about hidden files, hiding extensions, etc. all appear to be global to the whole system. Sigh. Of course, having this setting be on a per-folder basis means the setting itself would be stored in a .ini file in the directory, thereby ensuring that the file we don't want to see will be present!

[@nigelogilvie9450]

Thanks. Wondered about this. They suddenly appeared about a month ago. After listening to your article I realise that I set "Show hidden files" at about that time. I don;t need to, so I'll go and unset it now. Thanks again.

[@tedwalford7615]

Where the desktop.ini files make me crazy is when I'm doing a move or delete of a huge number of files--or worse, a SET of moves or deletes, say as part of a manually-controlled backup, I'll walk away, but when I come back--perhaps in the morning--the job is just sitting there waiting for me to answer if I'm sure I want to delete that "system file," desktop.ini.

[@Gam3r0wn3d-k3u]

Same thing applies to thumbs.db files or the .thumbnail folder or Lost.DIR folder found on some versions of Android

[@sMv-Afjal]

Where do you learns this information from?

[@PrinceXTC86]

Personal experience, online research and tech-savvy friends or colleagues.

[@askleonotenboom]

40+ years in the industry. Playing with this stuff every day.

[@johnhpalmer6098]

Yep, was going to say, research if he did not know already.

[@kersi-sandiego6036]

​@askleonotenboom, you forgot to mention: 1. Curiosity 2. Perseverance 3. Attitude (the most important).

[@harveybc]

Well, I learned something today. I was wondering what those were. I mostly ignore them although I do see them when using Linux to look at the contents of folders on a windows drive. Never opened them to see what they were. Just not curious enough since they take so little space. However there is a way to permanently get rid of them. Don't use windows.

[@batman51]

I seem to have 39 desktop.ini files, all apparently more than 4 years old, but as they only amount to 12 Kb in total, I don't think I will disturb them.

[@U.O.S]

😂

[@azrobbins01]

Is there any way to hide hidden files only on the desktop? My solution is to place them underneath a widget so I can't see them.

[@UncleJemima]

if you've configured Explorer to show both hidden and system files then no you can't hide these ini files only at the desktop level the question I would ask is whether you really need that Explorer configuration in the first place

[@askleonotenboom]

Not that I'm aware of, no.

[@azrobbins01]

@@UncleJemima I navigate to my 3 appdata folders on a daily basis for modding purposes. It is confusing when I can't see them.

[@AnotherUser1000]

Leon and Sisyphus are Greek names. Leon means lion.

[@dragos_jitea]

And...what disturbes us these files? 🤷

[@askleonotenboom]

I don't understand the question.

[@Nylgk]

How to get rid of them? Buy a Mac. 😝😝

[@uooooooooh]

Or don't buy anything and install Linux

[@Nylgk]

@@uooooooooh 😂 That could work.

[@gogoaccount7873]

@@uooooooooh Linux implements the feature in exactly the same way (.directory files in kde dolphin). However, it is more streamlined and you can quickly toggle on and off the visibility of hidden files (ctrl-H).

[@Gam3r0wn3d-k3u]

macOS has recursive files as well. Every Operating System does.

[@uooooooooh]

@@gogoaccount7873 That's not Linux, that's just Dolphin that does that.