Windows 10: desktop.ini files?

Hi

There two desktop.ini files on the desktop, but when I place them at say the bottom right of the desktop, one of them always want to tag to the other icons on the left hand side.

Also, if I place it on the left with another icon and refresh, one of the 'stubborn' desktop.ini files will skip a placeholder as if there was an invisible icon in place (if you see what I'm describing).

I use 'align to grid'.

Is this a resolvable bug?

:)

 

desktop ini

What is desktop.ini?

 

"This PC" folders are incoherent

Type this in the Address bar:

C:\Users\Xavier\Desktop.ini

This opens the Desktop.ini contents in Notepad. Delete all the lines and save the file.

-or-

Note that this file need not exist under your user profile home directory. To delete the file, enable Folder Options to show all files, and uncheck "hide protected operating system files..." option.

Delete the desktop.ini file. (C:\Users\Xavier\Desktop.ini)

Revert back the Folder Options settings as before.

 

Not sure I follow. What do the ini files go to?

For me I never keep files on my desktop....I keep it clean. The only icon on my desktop is the Recycle bin. I create folders inside my "my documents" folder and move icons into those folders.

 

Same happens for me but I don't use align to grid so I don't think it is that though.

I can move them both and one will snap back on pressing F5. That one will snap back to the position it would be if I had align to grid on.

I suppose it isn't fixable and MS didn't worry to much about where to display system files. If they did then they could interfere with placement of normal icons.

Your other (non-system, non-hidden) desktop icons act OK if you tick "Hide protected operating system files"?

 

Thanks for the replies.

lx07 - good description 'snap back'. Weird isn't it. Must say, I haven't seen this behaviour on my work laptop.

 

Those files only show up if you click the "Show hidden files, folders and drives" radio button on the View tab in File Explorer Options (Control Panel). One comes from the C:\Users\Desktop folder, the other from the C:\Users\Public\Desktop folder. You'll stop seeing them if you unselect that radio button. I like to see hidden files and folders so I just delete the desktop.ini files on my systems myself. Others may warn you of potentially dire side effects resulting from this, but I've never noticed anything untoward myself. Proceed, therefore, at your own risk!
HTH,
--Ed--





PS: here's an interesting discussion of this from the HowToGeek: Why are There Two desktop.ini Files on Windows Desktops?

 

The desktop.ini files have been a nuisance to align since the Creators Update.

Desktop icons misbehaving after Creators Update

One workaround that helped (for me, at least) tame the wayward behaviour of these two icons was suggested in post #16 of that thread. It involves a slight adjustment to the vertical spacing of the desktop icons.

 

I just delete them and they don't show up any more except when new insider build is installed.

 

You see two Desktop.ini files because your Desktop is a combination of two folders, each with its own Desktop.ini file: one for your user account and one for the Public Desktop.