Odd problem with .ini files

  • Thread starter Thread starter SonnySee
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SonnySee

I have had Vista running for about two weeks now and only today noticed this
problem:
desktop.ini files are showing up on my system in odd places.

When I started my computer this morning there were two of these files on my
desktop.
The icons were opaque and each had different information in them.

Eventually I deleted these files, but before doing so, I noticed files of
the same name popping up in other places on my system.

For instance, in my documents folder, in my contacts folder etc.

here is a sample of the text shown when I open one up in notepad:

"[.ShellClassInfo]
LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21788
[LocalizedFileNames]
Control Panel.lnk=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-12712
computer.lnk=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-12711
Internet Explorer (No Add-ons).lnk=@%windir%\System32\ie4uinit.exe,-737"

In each instance where I have checked, the files are similar, with only
slight differences.

While this seems to be just nuisance at this point, and not a security
issue. I would still like to know what is causing this and/or how to
prevent the proliferation of these files from taking place.

Any help or direction would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Sonny
 
SonnySee said:
I have had Vista running for about two weeks now and only today noticed
this problem:
desktop.ini files are showing up on my system in odd places.

When I started my computer this morning there were two of these files on
my desktop.
The icons were opaque and each had different information in them.

Eventually I deleted these files, but before doing so, I noticed files of
the same name popping up in other places on my system.

For instance, in my documents folder, in my contacts folder etc.

here is a sample of the text shown when I open one up in notepad:

"[.ShellClassInfo]
LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21788
[LocalizedFileNames]
Control Panel.lnk=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-12712
computer.lnk=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-12711
Internet Explorer (No Add-ons).lnk=@%windir%\System32\ie4uinit.exe,-737"

In each instance where I have checked, the files are similar, with only
slight differences.

While this seems to be just nuisance at this point, and not a security
issue. I would still like to know what is causing this and/or how to
prevent the proliferation of these files from taking place.

Any help or direction would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Sonny
Click to expand...

Don't delete these files or do anything with them
You are only seeing them because you have turned on viewing of System and
Hidden files - turn that off and they go away from your view but remain able
to perform the job they are designed to do.
 
Thanks Mike,
I will do that, however that leads me to a stupid question that furthere
displays my ignorance: Why are all of the files called 'desktop.ini' ?

This seems odd to me.

Thanks again.

Sonny


Mike Brannigan said:
SonnySee said:
I have had Vista running for about two weeks now and only today noticed
this problem:
desktop.ini files are showing up on my system in odd places.

When I started my computer this morning there were two of these files on
my desktop.
The icons were opaque and each had different information in them.

Eventually I deleted these files, but before doing so, I noticed files of
the same name popping up in other places on my system.

For instance, in my documents folder, in my contacts folder etc.

here is a sample of the text shown when I open one up in notepad:

"[.ShellClassInfo]
LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21788
[LocalizedFileNames]
Control Panel.lnk=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-12712
computer.lnk=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-12711
Internet Explorer (No Add-ons).lnk=@%windir%\System32\ie4uinit.exe,-737"

In each instance where I have checked, the files are similar, with only
slight differences.

While this seems to be just nuisance at this point, and not a security
issue. I would still like to know what is causing this and/or how to
prevent the proliferation of these files from taking place.

Any help or direction would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Sonny
Click to expand...

Don't delete these files or do anything with them
You are only seeing them because you have turned on viewing of System and
Hidden files - turn that off and they go away from your view but remain
able to perform the job they are designed to do.
Click to expand...
 
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