Help I have got rid of my desktop!

EdwardTeach · 2 Aug 2010 at 00:39

(i am running windows 7 64bit)

I deleted a file that was on my desktop called "desktop".

I dont know the exact file type, but it was a configurations file, and i am guessing it appeared because i had enabled view hidden files.

I deleted it because it looked messy, and i figured i could just restore it if it turned out to be important!

since i did this, my desktop screen is completely clear, no files, folders, recycle bin etc

( i can obviously still access all the file with windows explorer in my desktop folder)

i tried restoring the deleted file from the recycle bin. I restarted the computer after restoring that file and it has disappeared, i.e it is not in my desktop folder and my settings have not been restored.

Anyone know how i could get my settings back?

benjo · 2 Aug 2010 at 00:42

Right click > View > Show desktop icons?

alex24 · 2 Aug 2010 at 00:42

It was probably the desktop.ini file. It tells windows about the folder view options and layout IIRC. I would have thought that a restart of the computer would trigger a new one to be created.

Try right clicking on the desktop, go to view, then check 'show desktop icons'.

EdwardTeach · 2 Aug 2010 at 00:53

cheers - the right click method worked.

i knew it would be something simple. pretty stupid of me i know!

alex24 · 2 Aug 2010 at 00:54

Now hide the files again so you're not tempted to fiddle and break things any more!

Nice machine btw.

modo77 · 2 Aug 2010 at 00:57

try system restore if the above doesn't do it.

oh and i'm assuming you ticked the folder option for hide protected opterating system files as just ticking show hiden wont show the desktop.ini 's
The files are hidden by default for a reason as they are important

athough the desktop.ini files only contain info on how the folder view options are set. you will have them all over the place.

EdwardTeach · 2 Aug 2010 at 02:36

everything is fine now, but i have no idea why i unticked that box in the first place!

Destination · 2 Aug 2010 at 08:09

modo77 said:
The files are hidden by default for a reason as they are important athough the desktop.ini files only contain info on how the folder view options are set.

Yes, lol, users know best, why does windows hide all thees untidy files on me, I might as well display them and then delete them