Is it possible to disable the automatic creation of desktop.ini files?


  1. mfessler
    Posts : 59
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2
       New #1

    Is it possible to disable the automatic creation of desktop.ini files?


    Hello everyone,

    when a folder type is set manually (Properties/Customize/Optimize this folder for...), Windows creates a desktop.ini with the content "FolderType=...".
    Since this is also stored in the registry, I assume that the file is "only" needed for cross-system behavior.
    Yes, one can of course hide the hidden files, but I don't want to have them created in the first place.
    Can this be done somehow?

    Besides "single Computers" - how do you handle this on file servers?
    Especially since a "funny user" can quickly cause confusion using "LocalizedResourceName".
    Do you block creation using FSRM? Or do you regularly run a script that logs the files and even deletes them straight away?

    Thanks and greetings,
    Martin
      My Computer
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  3. dalchina
    Posts : 43,151
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #2

    The file is used to hold folder characterisics - including folder comments for example. By default it is hidden so you shouldn't be aware of it normally- only if you've opted to show hidden files. These are hidden for your protection.

    I've not yet heard of anyone attempting to block their creation.
      My Computers
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  4. LesFerch
    Posts : 754
    Windows 10/11
       New #3

    Note that desktop.ini files are only created on NTFS volumes. And are only useful on NTFS volumes that mount as "local disk". They should not appear on FAT, FAT32, or ExFAT volumes unless you copied them by including hidden and system files in your copy.

    I am not aware of a setting that prevents their creation on NTFS local disks, but you can use the following tool to quickly remove them by selecting the (None) option:

    SetFolderType | Set Windows Explorer folder types using Desktop.ini files
    Last edited by LesFerch; 14 Feb 2024 at 19:50.
      My Computer
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