What is "desktop.ini"?

[Paul H]

I have two icons on my desktop that are named "desktop.ini". They were
there with my Vista and now they are there on my W7. When I click on them
they appear to be some kind of script that I don't understand. Can I delete
them? Hide them? How? TIA, Paul

 

[Gordon]

I have two icons on my desktop that are named "desktop.ini". They were
there with my Vista and now they are there on my W7. When I click on them
they appear to be some kind of script that I don't understand. Can I
delete
them? Hide them? How? TIA, Paul

Hide them. In Windows Explorer do Organize - Folder and Search Options -
View and check "Don't show hidden folders, files or drives"

 

[Paul H]

Thanks - it worked - but what will I miss that I prefer/need to see?

I have two icons on my desktop that are named "desktop.ini". They were
there with my Vista and now they are there on my W7. When I click on them
they appear to be some kind of script that I don't understand. Can I
delete
them? Hide them? How? TIA, Paul

Hide them. In Windows Explorer do Organize - Folder and Search Options -
View and check "Don't show hidden folders, files or drives"

 

[Gordon]

Thanks - it worked - but what will I miss that I prefer/need to see?

Nothing really - unless you need to look at users/account name/AppData -
when you just reverse the process!

 

[Stubbo of Oz]

I have two icons on my desktop that are named "desktop.ini". They were
there with my Vista and now they are there on my W7. When I click on them
they appear to be some kind of script that I don't understand. Can I delete
them? Hide them? How? TIA, Paul

What is it? See here:-

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc144102(VS.85).aspx

 

[Paul H]

Whoa! TMI! Overload! So I gather that I caused these by changing icons -
yup, I've done that. If I delete one, the icon will revert?

I have two icons on my desktop that are named "desktop.ini". They were
there with my Vista and now they are there on my W7. When I click on them
they appear to be some kind of script that I don't understand. Can I
delete
them? Hide them? How? TIA, Paul

What is it? See here:-

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc144102(VS.85).aspx

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks - it worked - but what will I miss that I prefer/need to see?

In my view, hiding them at the expense of also hiding all other hidden
files is a bad mistake. I think everybody should always see all files,
hidden or not.

 

[webster72n]

Whoa! TMI! Overload! So I gather that I caused these by changing
icons -
yup, I've done that. If I delete one, the icon will revert?

There is nothing wrong with sending the desktop item to the trash can.
Deleting this icon will not delete the file, as you are going to discover
when you do it.
Just leave your files visible and not hidden, as mentioned.
'Ship Ahoy',

Harry.

 

[Electro Lytes]

Who gave bad advice? You didn't include a snippit of the post. I guess
that is beyond your comprehension and abilities. Just like setting your
clock.

Too bad.