If you have recently adjusted your Windows File Explorer settings to show hidden files, you might have noticed a strange phenomenon: two translucent, greyed-out icons named desktop.ini have suddenly appeared directly on your Windows desktop. You might also notice these files cluttering up almost every folder on your hard drive.
These files are not viruses. A desktop.ini file is a standard, hidden system file that Windows uses to remember the specific visual layout of a folder (such as custom folder icons, background images, or localized names). Windows automatically generates these files constantly. You cannot stop Windows from creating them, as they are integral to how the file system renders folder views.
However, you absolutely can stop Windows from displaying them, cleaning up your desktop while still allowing you to see your own personal hidden files.
How to Hide System Files (But Keep Regular Hidden Files)
The trick is understanding that Windows categorizes hidden files into two separate tiers: regular hidden files, and “protected operating system files.” You can configure File Explorer to show the first tier while keeping the second tier invisible.
- Open File Explorer (press Win + E on your keyboard).
- Click the three-dot menu icon (…) located in the toolbar at the top of the window.
- Select Options from the drop-down list. This will open the Folder Options dialog box.
- Click on the View tab at the top of the box.
- In the “Advanced settings” list, you will see a radio button selected that says Show hidden files, folders, and drives. (Leave this alone, this allows you to see your own hidden folders like AppData).
- Scroll down slightly until you find a checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).
- Check this box.
(If the box was already unchecked, Windows might show a scary warning prompt asking if you are sure you want to hide these files. Click Yes.)
- Click the Apply button, then click OK.
Return to your desktop. The ugly desktop.ini files will have instantly vanished, restoring your clean workspace, while Windows continues to silently use them in the background.