Hi -
c:\Users\Public\Desktop\desktop.ini is a Hidden file on my desktop. I display hidden files as a preference on my system but would not like to see them on my desktop if possible. I would like to know if NIS 2010 needs this file in this location or is it OK to remove or relocate this file?
Here are the contents of c:\Users\Public\Desktop\desktop.ini...
[LocalizedFileNames]
Norton Internet Security.lnk=@C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~2\Branding\muis.dll,-102
Regards,
BoneHeadGolf
It's my understanding that those desktop ini files should be left alone where they are since they are system files even if relating to something else. That's why they are normally hidden.
I'm like you and normally display everything in Explorer and just put up with those files showing on the desktop.
It would be interesting to know the purpose of it. I am also set to show hidden files and folders, but that file does not show on my desktop in either XP or Win 7.
Hi
Quads made a statement about desktop ini as can be found in this thread.
delphinium wrote:
It would be interesting to know the purpose of it. I am also set to show hidden files and folders, but that file does not show on my desktop in either XP or Win 7.
I can't tell you why it exists but I think you will see the file if you set Explorer to show hidden files and folders AND ALSO show system files which is a few lines away in the list.
A quick google indicates the desktop ini files contain information about how certain items are displayed ....
Thanks Huwynger. Always interesting to discover what Microsoft has stashed away where nobody ever looks. 
Still not sure why Norton chose to create a file with a common name such as desktop.ini, hide it and then stick it in a folder where the file stands a VERY good chance of it getting overwritten by another application. I don't particularly like it when my desktop gets littered with vendor related icons.
I didn't think Norton would do something like that, this is why I'm questioning if in fact the desktop.ini file belongs to NIS 2010 or if it's some artifact that belongs to some malware program.
Back to my original question (see first post in thread), does anyone know if I can relocate and/or delete this desktop.ini file?
Thanks,
Boneheadgolf
BoneHeadGolf wrote:Still not sure why Norton chose to create a file with a common name such as desktop.ini, hide it and then stick it in a folder where the file stands a VERY good chance of it getting overwritten by another application. I don't particularly like it when my desktop gets littered with vendor related icons.
I didn't think Norton would do something like that, this is why I'm questioning if in fact the desktop.ini file belongs to NIS 2010 or if it's some artifact that belongs to some malware program.
Back to my original question (see first post in thread), does anyone know if I can relocate and/or delete this desktop.ini file?
Thanks,
Boneheadgolf
To the best of my knowledge this is a Windows System File as I said and as is shown by the fact that it unhides if you alter the Folder View defaults. So your question needs to be addressed to Microsoft ....
If you read up on what desktop.ini does then I suppose you can decide to delete (rename is safer) if the system will allow you and then see what happens......
<< I don't particularly like it when my desktop gets littered with vendor related icons. >>
Have you tried setting Windows to its default setting which hides these items?
Explorer / Tools / Folder Options / View TAB / check Hide System (Protected FIles) ....
That path is from memory and may vary with different OS's but you should be able to find it and try that.
Hi BoneHeadGolf,
This isn't a Norton file. This is a file created by Windows. It probably has information related to Norton inside of it, because it is from the Desktop area, and there is an icon (shortcut) on the desktop to launch your Norton product. You will more than likely see desktop.ini file in various other folders as well.
If you change your view settings to not show system files, this file should go away. (from File Explorer, go to Organize, Folder and Search Options, View tab, and make sure Hide protected operating system files (recommended) is checked).
Let me know if this helps!
Hi Tim - Thanks for you response. Unfortunately, I thought this was a Norton file because when I uninstalled NIS 2010 via control panel and NRT, the file disappeared and then reappeared when NIS 2010 was reinstalled. As I mentioned in some other posts, my preference is to display hidden and system files. I guess I can try to relocate it off my desktop and monitor NIS and my system to ensure nothing goes south.
Thanks to all who have responded to this topic, much appreciated.
Regards,
Boneheadgolf
I would not recommend relocating this from the desktop as Windows will (a) not know exactly what to do with the extra information about the desktop that is now missing and (b) recreate the file everytime your desktop is updated (thus leading to a really ‘confused’ system eventually when the new desktop.ini and the relocated desktop.ini have to be reconciled).
Norton installed on to the PC's I have done does not create "desktop.ini" on the desktop,
Quads