Solved Desktop layout config file corrupted?

Hi everyone, and Merry Christmas! Could someone please help me sort out a minor annoyance.

On my Win8.1 non touch-screen laptop, sometimes (too often!) when I boot up, the desktop layout has changed itself. My desktop files and folders normally have the 'small' icon size (right-click on desktop > view > small icons), spread about in little groups, with a bland solid color desktop. Too often when I boot up, it has changed itself to smaller, quite tiny icons, and they have moved over to the left-hand side, not spread out as normal. If I then restart again, then mostly the desktop reverts back to correct icon size and placement, except now the desktop color is black. I then can right click to 'personalize', and I have my saved desktop color, which then takes me back to how I want it.

I guess there is a config file somewhere which determines the desktop layout, could it be that this is corrupt? I run an sfc /scannow check every so often and that always comes up clean.

Many thanks, Chig

In every folder, including the desktop, there is a hidden system file named "desktop.ini." If you enable "show system files" in folder settings you should see it on the desktop. I am not sure this governs the icon settings but it is the first thing I would check. You should be able to read it in Notepad. Look for anything weird.

If you have a restore point from before this happened ShadowExplorer freeware can be used to dig out the old desktop.ini from your user desktop folder and compare it to the current one. If it seems like it may fix the issue rename the current one to desktop.ini.bak then copy the old one into the desktop folder.

If it is not the desktop.ini file doing it then it is likely something in the Registry.

That is so funny, hilarious in fact. I just gotta laugh (at myself!) :thumb:

You'll never guess what, some time ago I decided to 'show hidden files' so that I can see what's happening a bit more in the background.

Well of course I get that desktop.ini file show up, and the first thing I do when I see it is of course, I delete the bugger!

I think I'll just head over to Folder Options > View and change the settings back again.

Now behave yourself Chig!

Thanks MilesAhead, that'll be what it is, cheers :thumb:

Edit: I didn't know of Shadow Explorer, I'll check it out, TY.

You'll never guess what, some time ago I decided to 'show hidden files' so that I can see what's happening a bit more in the background.

Well of course I get that desktop.ini file show up, and the first thing I do when I see it is of course, I delete the bugger!

Click to expand...

I remember doing the same thing now that you mention it. Kind of like Doctor Who. When they asked the human why he pushed the button to blow up the planet he answered "I wanted to see what would happen." Heh heh heh