Windows 7 Confused about desktop.ini icons

[compiler]

Lately I've noticed two identical appearing icons on my desktop, entitled desktop.ini.

Do I need these. I'm trying to reduce the clutter.

One says last modified 8/8/10 and the other 6/26/10.

When I start to delete it, it says it is a system file.

Can I delete it?

Mel

 

[Joe S]

These are hidden files. Go into folder options and view and find hide protected system files and put a check in there.
Joe

 

[compiler]

But I do not want to hide system files!

Mel

 

[compiler]

I wonder if I can just delete the older one?
Mel

 

[davehc]

I make a hobby/pastime of installing for others. In order to apply my basic customisation for others, I find it useful, temporarily, to unhide everything. The first thing I do is delete those two .inis. I have not yet seen any ill effects from doing so.