is it possible to manually create an desktop.ini file?

[xfile]

Hello,

I just realized that desktop.ini is associated with certain types of folder
icon although there may have other purposes for it.

In any case, could someone tell me that is it possible to manually create a
desktop.ini for a folder?

And if deleting this file from folders would cause any adverse effects other
than may be having a different folder icon? For example, if I deleted this
file from "My Web Sites" folder in My Documents, its folder turned to a
"regular" icon instead of the one with a small globe in the center. In this
case, a different folder icon means the folder properties have been changed
(from a sub web to a regular folder) or not?

Many thanks.

 

[GHalleck]

Hello,

I just realized that desktop.ini is associated with certain types of folder
icon although there may have other purposes for it.

In any case, could someone tell me that is it possible to manually create a
desktop.ini for a folder?

And if deleting this file from folders would cause any adverse effects other
than may be having a different folder icon? For example, if I deleted this
file from "My Web Sites" folder in My Documents, its folder turned to a
"regular" icon instead of the one with a small globe in the center. In this
case, a different folder icon means the folder properties have been changed
(from a sub web to a regular folder) or not?

Many thanks.

Sure, anything possible. But how well do you know the internal
contents of the Windows Registry? That is, while desktop.ini is
a straight-forward text file, knowing what Registry contents to
insert is the fun part.

 

[xfile]

Hello,

Thanks for the quick reply, and I see what you meant.

Ummm, so that means "No" in most cases for an ordinary user

One more question, will it hurt anything if this file is missing from the
folder other than a different folder icon?

Thanks.

 

[Pennywise]

|>Hello,
|>
|>Thanks for the quick reply, and I see what you meant.
|>
|>Ummm, so that means "No" in most cases for an ordinary user
|>
|>One more question, will it hurt anything if this file is missing from the
|>folder other than a different folder icon?

You can delete desktop.ini files with no problems.



|>Thanks.
|>|>>
|>> xfile wrote:
|>>
|>>> Hello,
|>>>
|>>> I just realized that desktop.ini is associated with certain types of
|>>> folder icon although there may have other purposes for it.
|>>>
|>>> In any case, could someone tell me that is it possible to manually create
|>>> a desktop.ini for a folder?
|>>>
|>>> And if deleting this file from folders would cause any adverse effects
|>>> other than may be having a different folder icon? For example, if I
|>>> deleted this file from "My Web Sites" folder in My Documents, its folder
|>>> turned to a "regular" icon instead of the one with a small globe in the
|>>> center. In this case, a different folder icon means the folder properties
|>>> have been changed (from a sub web to a regular folder) or not?
|>>>
|>>> Many thanks.
|>>
|>> Sure, anything possible. But how well do you know the internal
|>> contents of the Windows Registry? That is, while desktop.ini is
|>> a straight-forward text file, knowing what Registry contents to
|>> insert is the fun part.
|>>
|>

 

[Wesley Vogel]

You can delete desktop.ini files with no problems.

Not true!

This can mess up Customized folders and Special folders; i.e. My Documents,
My Music, My Pictures, Shared Documents, etc.

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?

Answer: This problem can occur if the hidden desktop.ini file in the special
folder is corrupt or missing. Here are the steps to fix this problem:
Illustrated, detailed instructions here:
http://computers.douglasthrift.net/winxpfaq.html

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.

Another example of a screwed up folder that may be caused by a missing or
damaged desktop.ini...

Missing Menu Commands in the Fonts Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/133725

SYMPTOMS
When you open the Fonts folder in Windows Explorer, the following commands
may be missing from the Fonts folder menus. On the File menu:

* Open
* Print
* Install New Font

On the View menu:

* List Fonts By Similarity
* Hide Variations (Bold, Italics, Etc.)

CAUSE
This behavior can occur for any of the following reasons:

* The System and Read Only attributes are no longer set for the Fonts
folder. The Fonts folder must have its System and Read Only attributes set
to work correctly.
* The Fontext.dll file may be missing or damaged, causing the menus to
contain only the commands for a generic folder.
* The Desktop.ini file may be missing or damaged. Note that you do not see
the Desktop.ini file when you view the Fonts folder. To see the file, open
an MS-DOS session and view the Windows\Fonts folder.

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

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