How to fix the Windows 7 7057 desktop.ini startup bug

Based on some of the things you've read about Windows 7, it's sometimes not so apparent that we're still talking about a work in progress. Not so with build 7057 - there's a little reminder right in the middle of the desktop when Windows starts up. Notepad will be there, unabashedly displaying the contents of desktop.ini.
It's easy enough to remedy - here's one simple method.
1. Open the run dialog ( windows + r ) and type shell:startup and press enter.
2. Set your Explorer options to display protected operating system files - pressing alt then T then O will get you to the screen quickly. Click the view tab then uncheck hide protected operating system files.
3. Delete desktop.ini from the folder. [edit] As posted by Chris123nt, you'll also need to navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup and delete desktop.ini there as well.
4. Log off and then log back on, or reboot to verify that it's fixed.
5. Repeat step 2, but this time put the check mark back in hide protected operating system files (to prevent accidentally deleting something important later).
It's easy enough to remedy - here's one simple method.
1. Open the run dialog ( windows + r ) and type shell:startup and press enter.
2. Set your Explorer options to display protected operating system files - pressing alt then T then O will get you to the screen quickly. Click the view tab then uncheck hide protected operating system files.
3. Delete desktop.ini from the folder. [edit] As posted by Chris123nt, you'll also need to navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup and delete desktop.ini there as well.
4. Log off and then log back on, or reboot to verify that it's fixed.
5. Repeat step 2, but this time put the check mark back in hide protected operating system files (to prevent accidentally deleting something important later).












Comments
6
Subscribe to comments沿阶草Mar 14th 2009 10:29PM
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330132
minibarMar 14th 2009 11:14PM
i had to repeat step 1 substituting:
shell:common startup
(just a quick way to complete the official ms fix in comment #1.)
(in addition to bugs win7 still lacks fit and finish and i do not recommend.)
Lee MathewsMar 14th 2009 11:16PM
Not for the general public, that's for sure. I still want my XP-style "connect to" menu back. Not for my machine, but for customer repairs. Saved clicking.
At least I can still win+r -> ncpa.cpl.
conorMar 15th 2009 6:48PM
this happened to me on vista when i had to boot in on a live cd and save all my stuff, and re install os when an update got corrupted. i fixed it on my own.
KyleMar 16th 2009 11:33AM
i had to give up on Win7, even though i loved it, because it wouldn't maintain my home wifi connection (had the latest drivers as well). it would work for a few hours and then go away. google'd and found no help regarding this matter.
ColinMar 18th 2009 11:30AM
Thanks for this. Bloody thing was a pain.
Have to admit I really do like W7 =]
Just seems to run smoother than XP on my system
Suppose its the startup time
I'm running the 64-bit of the 7057 build
Seems to be stable enough
No problems so far
This Friday shall see how quick it is with 4GB :)