What is the desktop.ini file I always see on my computer? - Common Computer Questions

Question: What is the desktop.ini file I always see on my computer?

Answer:  Desktop.ini is a hidden Windows system file that stores information about customized folders. It can be used to assign a custom icon or thumbnail image to a folder. If you have customized the display of a folder such as changing folder or file views then Windows saves those settings in a desktop.ini file.

Deleting the desktop.ini file will only remove any customizations set by the file. Deleting this file doesn't hurt your system but Windows may rebuild them so you may have to keep on deleting them.

The desktop.ini file usually shows up after you change your computers settings to display hidden files and folders or tell it not to hide protected operating system files. You can change these settings back from your folder views by going to Tools and then Folder Options within Windows Explorer. Then on the View tab check the radio button next to Do not show hidden files and folders and put a check in the box next to Hide protected operating system files.

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