Win XP/desktop.ini

trekrider · Posted: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:06:12 Post Subject: Win XP/desktop.ini

This morning I found two files (desktop.ini) on my desktop and one on the taskbar, there was also a copy on the Start/quick launch bar and one on the Start/Programs bar.
This evening I find one in my favorites folder.

A search finds 38 others copies planted in various locations.

WTF???

Anyone else have an abundance of these files laying around???

dadx2mj · Posted: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:15:39 Post Subject:

I searched all files and folders and came up with 3 of them.

trekrider · Posted: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:37:17 Post Subject:

Here is the result of a search for Desktop.ini on my system.

What do you guys/gals think??

IceNine · Posted: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:45:03 Post Subject:

they're supposed to be hidden files. WinXP has those for a reason I can't remember, but I'm sure if you look it up, you'll find it.

I think it has something to do with folder view.

trekrider · Posted: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:55:31 Post Subject:

They still show up when I hide system files/folders.

Not sure...but I don't think this a case where "He who has the most...WINS"

dadx2mj · Posted: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 21:47:04 Post Subject:

Trek I typed "desktop.ini" into Google and came up with a whole bunch of stuff. One was a link to a forum where a guy says someone was accessing his system thru the file. It does look like it has to do with Folder views and pictures on your desktop like Icenine said but also looks like it can be used maliciously.

trekrider · Posted: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 23:09:26 Post Subject:

I just ran a scan with Norton AV & Tauscan (Trojan hunter) both came up empty handed.

The system does not seem to be acting wiered or anything (not that that really means anything)

(dam...I do not need more experience with "format c:")

Dud3! · Posted: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 16:43:05 Post Subject:

You guys are funny.

Desktop.ini is just a configuration file for the appearance of a folder. You can specify a custom icon for a folder by putting a desktop.ini file in it (I don't remember what you type, but I used to use it for that purpose).

It handles stuff like the folder view when you have "remember individual folder views" enabled, such as thumbnail view or detail view, the background image or text/background color for the folder, and anything else related to appearance.

Ever clicked on the windows folder right after installing (before you turned of the hiding garbage) and got that dire warning? That's because the desktop.ini file in that folder told explorer to open the folder.htm in that directory.

So no, it's not a virus, it's not a trojan, and no one can "hack" your computer through them. Windows on the other hand is all of the previously listed things. Laughing

trekrider · Posted: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 17:17:28 Post Subject:

Dud3!...thanks, I do feel better with your explaination. However, I have no idea how/why so many got placed in so many different places.

Guess I won't be concerened till something weired starts happening (I mean other than operator errors). LOL

**JimBowy** · Moderator Joined: 02 Aug 2003 Posts: 1627

dude's right... turn off the ability to see "hidden and system files" and you won't even see this file... its normal to have them in many folders