Desktop.ini is a Windows system file that stores information about customized folders. You can customize folder background, change icon or thumbnail image to a folder and create infotip by creating a Desktop.ini file for that folder.  

Desktop.ini is a hidden file. It means that you could see it in windows file manager only if you checked 'Show hidden files and folders' in Folder Options.

Desktop.ini can be deleted, but any view customizations related to the folder containing the file in question, will be reset to the system-wide default.

Get more detailed information about desktop.ini and all other running background processes with Security Task Manager.

Note: Any malware can be named anything - so you should check where the files of the running processes are located on your disk. If a "non-Microsoft" .exe file is located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, then there is a high risk for a virus, spyware, trojan or worm infection! Check it out!

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Users Opinions

335 users ask for this file. 7 users rated it as not dangerous. 2 users rated it as neutral. 1 user rated it as dangerous. 2 users didn't rate it ("don't know").

All comments about desktop.ini:  See also: Link   Erich Fiala Its not a virus. The desktop.ini files are safe to delete, they are just desktop (or window) configuration file/settings that you could edit and do things like change the picture of the desktop (or even window) manually. The deletion of Desktop.ini will fail if it is locked because it is in use by some application. To delete those files use program called "Unlocker".   Alex It's just used to customize the way a folder looks that it's located in.   James Normally, desktop.ini is a safe Windows system file. BUT since malware can hide itself by wearing a safe file name mask, it is important to note where the file is located. I just discovered 402 instances of desktop.ini on my computer, including attached to my music files... That's pretty obviously the work of malware. So don't automatically regard it as safe if you suspect something is wrong with your system. But you might simply be seeing your normal file(s), and hopefully that's the case.   Kris not a virus, every folder has it and can be deleted   RommoR normal desktop.ini files are fine. but there is a desktop.ini virus and it will destroy your OS. see link:  See also: Link   Nweilbacher If you know more about desktop.ini, share your knowledge and help other users. Security Rating:  --- don't know ---  1 (not dangerous)  2  3 (neutral)  4  5 (dangerous) What do you know about this file: Link for more details: Your Name:

More process information

Is desktop.ini spyware or a virus, trojans, adware or worm? Is there a known desktop.ini error?

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Other Processes

alg.exe audiodg.exe csrss.exe ctfmon.exe desktop.ini dllhost.exe dwm.exe explorer.exe hiberfil.sys internat.exe kernel32.dll logonui.exe lsass.exe lsm.exe mdm.exe mobsync.exe msmsgs.exe mssearch.exe mstask.exe pagefile.sys penservice.exe regsvc.exe rundll32.exe sdclt.exe services.exe slsvc.exe slwinact.exe smss.exe spoolsv.exe svchost.exe system taskeng.exe thumbs.db wercon.exe winlogon.exe winmgmt.exe wmiexe.exe wmiprvse.exe wpcumi.exe wscntfy.exe wuauclt.exe wudfhost.exe
[desktop.ini in German] [all processes]