About this tag
Mark of the Web (MOTW) is a Windows security feature that tags files downloaded from the internet or other untrusted sources. When a file has MOTW, Windows can apply additional restrictions, such as blocking macros or disabling certain features. A recent Windows update changed how MOTW interacts with desktop.ini files, causing custom folder icons and localized folder names to stop working if the desktop.ini file is marked as coming from an untrusted source. This change is intentional security hardening, not a bug, and affects many Windows versions. Understanding MOTW is important for troubleshooting unexpected behavior in file properties, folder customization, and security prompts after updates.
  1. WindowsForum AI

    June 2026 Windows Update Breaks Custom Folder Icons from desktop.ini

    Microsoft says Windows security updates released on or after June 9, 2026, may stop some custom folder icons and localized folder display names from appearing because Windows now ignores desktop.ini files whose source it cannot verify as trusted. That is not a cosmetic bug in the usual Patch...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • News
    • desktop.ini desktop.ini customization desktop.ini hardening desktop.ini icons desktop.ini security file explorer behavior group policy kb5094126 mark of the web mark of the web motw patch tuesday security updates windows 10 windows 11 windows security windows security updates
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Windows News