How to Customize folder background in Windows XP!

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In Windows 98, there was the facility to change background color, image, fonts, folder background etc in any folder but this feature was removed from Windows XP. Today i am writing a simple tutorial which will explains how to add a background image to any folder in Windows XP.

Steps :

Step 1: Navigate to the folder which you would like to apply the background to.Now make sure all hidden files are visible on your system.If not, then go to Tools > Folder Options > View > Click on ‘Show Hidden Files & Folders’

 How to Customize folder background in Windows XP!
Step 2: Now Within the folder, right-click and select Properties » Customize tab » Customize> Change Icon. There, choose any icon, click Apply and OK.

 How to Customize folder background in Windows XP!
Step 3: Above process will create a “desktop.ini” file. Open that file with a text editor and add following lines of code under the existing code:

[ExtShellFolderViews] {BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}={BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC} [{BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}] IconArea_Image=C:Image_Folderbackground.jpg

Now after adding this code the new code will look like this :

 How to Customize folder background in Windows XP!

Step 4: You can see the path to the image in the highlighted blue code in step 3. Select cool background which you want to insert as a folder backgraound. And copy the whole path along with image name. and replace it with the highlighted blue code.
Step 5:Save the Desktop.ini with the modified code. And refresh the folder, you will get your favt cool wallpaper as your folder background.

Screenshot :

 How to Customize folder background in Windows XP!

Enjoy…. Just Give it a try and let me know about your experiences through your valuable comments.

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Article by Vishal

I am Vishal Gaikar, Software Engineer, Web Addicted, Living in Maharashtra, India. If you like This post, you can follow Tricks Machine on Twitter, also you can add me on Google+. Subscribe to Tricks Machine feed via RSS or EMAIL to receive instant updates. Mail me @ vishal@tricksmachine.com


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11 Responses to “How to Customize folder background in Windows XP!”

  1. babbu says:

    where i find “desktop.ini” file plz help me

  2. avantika says:

    where i will find the text editor this thing is very cool i really want to know this plz help me out

  3. Admin says:

    U can use Notepad / Notepad++ as a text editor :)

  4. avantika says:

    how to open that file with text editor i want to know

  5. avantika says:

    u should also add a thing like how to put a password on a folder that sounds very interesting dude

  6. Admin says:

    @ Avantika

    Surely i will write a post bout it..

  7. Chaos says:

    Nice guide but i got a question..I got a kingston usb drive, i used an old pc with windows 2000 to put a background to it.. although now i want to remove that background and i dont know how.. could ya please help me? :P

  8. MAINAK says:

    where i find “desktop.ini” file plz help me

  9. Shashi gupta says:

    Tell me about the desktop.ini file

    I’m doing the same process but stil the file not generated…

    HELP MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE……………………

  10. Admin says:

    @ Mainak

    U Will get the file in the folder only…..make sure all hidden files and folder are viewed option is selected

    @ Shashi

    Exactly wat problem u r gettig dude..
    [rq=479393,0,blog][/rq]Download Windows Live Messenger 2009 : Offline Installer

  11. ariane says:

    where do i get the “desktop.ini” file..?????????
    I cant see it..
    PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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