Desktop.ini

[Allen]

Is Desktop.INI just the place folder options are stored?

When I try to move one folder's contents into another folder I get asked if
I want to over ride it.

I think I should save NO to keep options of the folder receiving the new
files unchanged. Is that right?

Also, I'm guessing I can delete any Desktop.INI without dire consequences.
Is the right?


Thanks for any help

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Are you sure you want to move the system file 'Desktop.ini'?

is the message and if you do not want to change the folder icon of the
folder that you are moving the files to click NO.

Some info on Desktop.ini files pieced together from many sources...

File system folders are commonly displayed with a standard icon and set of
properties, which specify, for instance, whether or not the folder is
shared. The Desktop.ini file is a text file that specifies how a file
system folder will be viewed and handled. The most common use of the
Desktop.ini file is to assign a custom icon to a folder.

The desktop.ini can have info that lists the folder as a system file, hidden
and if deleted, it is recreated on the next boot. The desktop.ini can also
have info like a UICLSID line that hides the folder in Windows Explorer. And
a CLSID line that disables the Search utility from searching through the
folder.

Also the folder name info can be listed in the desktop.ini. For example,
the folder Shared Documents becomes just Documents if you remove the
desktop.ini.

You may find this of interest.

Customizing Folders with Desktop.ini
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...hell_basics/shell_basics_extending/custom.asp

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Allen]

You mentioned it might get recreated at boot. I believe you were referring
only to some system files. Correct?

Would Shared return to Shared Documents, for example?


great reply. I cut it out and saved it.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Hi Allen,

You mentioned it might get recreated at boot. I believe you were referring
only to some system files. Correct?

Yes. Delete the Content.IE5 folder, for example from...

C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name Here\Local Settings
\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5
or
%userprofile%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet
Files\Content.IE5

and the Content.IE5 folder gets recreated either at boot or the next time
Internet Explorer, Outlook Express or maybe Help and Support are started.

Would Shared return to Shared Documents, for example?

No, not without creating another desktop.ini or fixing the existing one.

In fact a lot of folks have problems with some special folders if the
desktop.ini is missing or damaged.

See this.

[[Special Folders
Question: One of my special folders (e.g. My Documents, My Music, My
Pictures, Shared Documents, etc) has lost its name, lost its icon, or has
the wrong Task Pane template, how can I get it back? ]]
http://computers.douglasthrift.net/winxpfaq/#faq3

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In