Do I need to copy desktop.ini when copy dvd?


  1. comcom
    Posts : 329
    Windows 10 Home 64 bit x64 Version 22H2
       New #1

    Do I need to copy desktop.ini when copy dvd?


    I am making backup of my software installation dvd by selecting all files in the dvd and copy and paste into my computer hard disk. Doing this so that I will have the software even if the dvd corrupt or I lose the dvd in future.

    When I open the dvd, there are software files and a file called desktop.ini (screenshot https://i.imgur.com/4N5rKNX.png ), do I need to copy desktop.ini to work correctly? (I mean if in future I want to install the software by using the files I copied into my pc it will work correctly)

    Thanks
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  3. Samuria
    Posts : 8,107
    windows 10
       New #2

    No is the simple answer
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  4. Winuser
    Posts : 7,128
    Windows 10 Pro Insider
       New #3

    If they are copy protected the copies may not work.
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  6. FreeBooter
    Posts : 5,330
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
       New #4

    A desktop.ini is a file that determines the way a folder is displayed by Windows.
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  7. Berton
    Posts : 14,019
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       New #5

    I don't copy them and since they become read-only once on the disc they are of no use.
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  8. comcom
    Posts : 329
    Windows 10 Home 64 bit x64 Version 22H2
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Winuser said:
    If they are copy protected the copies may not work.
    How to know if they are copy protected?

    If I create an ISO and save in hard disk, would it work? How to Create an ISO Image From a DVD, CD or BD Disc

    - - - Updated - - -

    Berton said:
    I don't copy them and since they become read-only once on the disc they are of no use.
    Did you mean if I copy and paste files (from the dvd) into my hard disk, the files in my hard disk will not work like the dvd if I want to install the software from the files copied inside my hard disk?

    If I create an ISO and save in hard disk, would it work? How to Create an ISO Image From a DVD, CD or BD Disc
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  9. Berton
    Posts : 14,019
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       New #7

    Berton said:
    I don't copy them and since they become read-only once on the disc they are of no use.
    comcom said:
    Did you mean if I copy and paste files (from the dvd) into my hard disk, the files in my hard disk will not work like the dvd if I want to install the software from the files copied inside my hard disk?
    The question/subject is about the desktop.ini file and so is my answer. Deleting that file should have no affect on your data files, never has had for me.
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  10. Pejole2165
    Posts : 920
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #8

    As far as the copy protection issue, some install routines may check various things such as CD/ DVD serial number (of the actual media), whether or not the install is running from a physical or virtual drive, and many other ways to determine if the install is running from original media or a copy.
    Copy protection is down to the developer of the software, you can normally find out if copy protection is used, but for obvious reasons you normally can't find out which method is used.
    The easiest way to find out is to try it, run the install from a folder on a HDD and from an ISO (either virtual drive or written to media), if the install fails you'll know.
    Depending on the software and it's age you can sometimes order replacement media from the developer/ publisher at reduced cost, but of course you need to provide proof of purchase.
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  12. sygnus21
    Posts : 5,899
    Win 11 Pro (x64) 22H2
       New #9

    comcom said:
    When I open the dvd, there are software files and a file called desktop.ini (screenshot https://i.imgur.com/4N5rKNX.png ), do I need to copy desktop.ini to work correctly?
    No need to turn this into rocket science - to be safe it's better to copy all the files shown in the CD/DVD. It's not like that file uses a lot of storage space

    That said, agree with Samuria, no is the simple answer.
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