Are they harmful for the system?

[hluachawngthu]

Are the files/folders like - Desktop.ini, Thumbs.db and Folder.htt Virus?
Are they harmful for the system? If so, how to detect and clean 'em?

[Charan]

No those are windows files to customize the folders, but there are some viruses which infect those files also.

as these files will be in most of the folders you beter scan your system for viruses with the latest defs.

[Vishal Gupta]

Afaik, desktop.ini and folder.htt files r created when u customize the folders.
And thumbs.db file is created when u enable Thumbnail view in a folder!

If u find these files in only a few folders (like System32, Windows, Program Files, and some ur own folders, etc), then its OK.
But if u find these files in approx. all folders, then its time to scan ur system with some good a/v

[maverickrohan]

it depends...........sometimes viruses do affect them..........and as mentioned by @vishal, if u find these files openly everywhere, there might be a problem....

But not always, sometimes these files can be seen when u migrate folders or recover folders & files using recovery software too........that does not mean they r infected..........

But Be safe......if u feel theyr a problem, scan wih latest virus signatures

[Kniwor]

these are windows system files and should be visible if u have inchecked the "Hide operating system files" option in folder options...
they can also come around when u copy files here n there and are usually not a virus...
but hey... a virus can affect almost any file ............

[sakumar79]

AFAIK, of the three mentioned, desktop.ini and thumbs.db are not viruses... Folder.htt is a folder customization file that is also used by viruses to disguise themselves... Viruses such as VBS.Soraci, VBS.Redlof etc will replace/create Folder.htt...

Arun