Fix desktop.ini Auto Open in Notepad on Boot Up in Windows 8

Some windows 8 users, like me may have noticed that a Notepad window will automatically open upon every system startup or reboot. The Notepad will open desktop.ini with the following text:

[.ShellClassInfo]

LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21787

Obviously, it’s a ‘bug’ that a desktop.ini file been mistakenly been placed or created on a location where it should not. To fix the desktop.ini auto open on Windows 8 is pretty easy, just by removing and deleting the desktop.ini from the Startup folder, which Windows operating system loads on every boot up.

1. Open Windows Explorer, then click on View ->  Options.
2. Go to View tab.
3. Under “Files and folders” tree, select Show hidden files, folders and drives.
4. Uncheck Hide protected operating system files in order to be able to view the hidden desktop.ini file.
5. Click OK when done.
6. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder, or alternatively, just type shell:common startup in Start Search and hit Enter.
7. Delete desktop.ini file inside the folder.
8. Navigate to C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder, or alternatively, just type shell:startup in Start Search and hit Enter.
9. Delete desktop.ini file inside the folder.
10. The bug has been fixed, and no Notepad window with desktop.ini will appear on reboot or startup anymore.