Recovering a .DESKTOP File: Handling Virus-Induced Damage

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .DESKTOP file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

Recovering a .DESKTOP File: Handling Virus-Induced Damage
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .DESKTOP file?

Data file that provides information about an item in a program's menu; specifies details such as the name, icon file, command to run, etc; used in Unix-based operating systems such as CentOS, Ubuntu, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

What Are Common Causes of ".DESKTOP" Files Lost or Failure?

There can be several common causes for .desktop files getting lost or failing:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the .desktop files while cleaning up their system or organizing their files.
  2. Software or system errors: Software glitches, system crashes, or errors during file transfers can result in the loss or corruption of .desktop files.
  3. Malware or virus attacks: Malicious software or viruses can infect and damage files, including .desktop files, leading to their loss or failure.
  4. Hardware issues: Problems with the hard drive, such as bad sectors or physical damage, can cause .desktop files to become inaccessible or lost.
  5. Incompatible software or updates: Incompatibilities between software programs or updates can lead to the failure or corruption of .desktop files.
  6. Improper shutdown: If the system shuts down unexpectedly or improperly, it can result in file system errors, potentially affecting .desktop files.
  7. User actions: In some cases, users may accidentally modify or rename .desktop files, resulting in their failure or loss.
  8. File system errors: File system errors, such as file system corruption or disk errors, can cause .desktop files to become inaccessible or lost.

It is important to regularly backup important files, including .desktop files, to minimize the risk of data loss.

How to recover lost ".DESKTOP" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".DESKTOP" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".DESKTOP" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".DESKTOP" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".DESKTOP" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".DESKTOP" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".DESKTOP" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo desktop Entry File image file file?

Programs that open ".DESKTOP" files

Windows
HEX Editor HEX Editor

Additional Information

  • File type: Desktop Entry File

  • File extension: .DESKTOP

  • Developer: N/A

  • Category: Misc Files

  • Format: N/A

  • HEX: 5B 44 65 73 6B 74 6F 70 20 45 6E 74 72 79 5D 0A

  • ASCII: [Desktop Entry]

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:47 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .DESKTOP files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are some common reasons for encountering problems when opening .DESKTOP files?

    There can be several reasons for encountering problems when opening .DESKTOP files:

    1. Incorrect file association: If the .DESKTOP file is not associated with the appropriate program, your operating system may not know how to open it. This can happen if the file association settings have been changed or if the required program is not installed.
    2. Corrupted or damaged file: If the .DESKTOP file itself is corrupted or damaged, it may not open properly. This can occur due to file transfer errors, storage issues, or malware infections.
    3. Outdated software version: If you are using an outdated version of the program associated with the .DESKTOP file, it may not be compatible with the file format. In such cases, updating the program to the latest version might resolve the issue.
    4. Missing supporting files: Some .DESKTOP files may require additional supporting files or dependencies to open correctly. If these files are missing or not properly installed, it can lead to problems when opening the file.
    5. File compatibility issues: .DESKTOP files are typically associated with Linux desktop environments and may not be compatible with other operating systems. Trying to open them on a different platform might result in errors.
    6. User permissions: If you do not have the necessary permissions to access or open the .DESKTOP file, you may encounter problems. This can occur if the file is located in a restricted directory or if your user account does not have the required privileges.
    7. File format confusion: It's possible that the .DESKTOP file you are trying to open is not actually a desktop file but has been mislabeled with the .DESKTOP extension. In such cases, attempting to open it with the associated program will not work.

    If you are experiencing problems with a specific .DESKTOP file, it is recommended to check the above possibilities and troubleshoot accordingly.

  • How can I troubleshoot and fix issues related to opening .DESKTOP files?

    If you are experiencing issues with opening .DESKTOP files, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

    1. Check the file extension: Ensure that the file extension is indeed .DESKTOP and not a similar-looking extension or a misspelling.
    2. Update associated software: Make sure you have the appropriate software installed on your computer to open .DESKTOP files. The most common software associated with .DESKTOP files is the GNOME desktop environment on Linux systems.
    3. Restart your computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary issues with file associations.
    4. File association settings: Check if the .DESKTOP file extension is associated with the correct program. To do this on Windows, right-click on the file, select "Open with," and choose the appropriate program. On macOS, right-click on the file, select "Get Info," and choose the desired application under the "Open with" section.
    5. Install required software: If you don't have the necessary software to open .DESKTOP files, you may need to install it. For example, on Linux, you can install the GNOME desktop environment to open .DESKTOP files.
    6. File corruption: If the .DESKTOP file is corrupted, it may not open correctly. Try obtaining a new copy of the file from a reliable source.
    7. Check for file compatibility: Ensure that the .DESKTOP file you are trying to open is compatible with your operating system. Some files may be specific to certain platforms or versions.
    8. Use a different program: If the above steps don't work, you can try opening the .DESKTOP file with a different program or text editor. This can help determine if the issue lies with the file or the software you are using.

    If none of these steps resolve the issue, it may be helpful to seek further assistance from technical support or online forums specific to your operating system or software.

  • Are there any specific software or tools available to help resolve problems with opening .DESKTOP files?

    Yes, there are several software and tools available to help resolve problems with opening .DESKTOP files. Some of the commonly used ones include:

    1. File Viewer Plus: It is a universal file viewer that can open and display the contents of .DESKTOP files. It also provides additional features like editing, converting, and printing files.
    2. GNOME Desktop Environment: If you are using a Linux distribution with GNOME desktop environment, it includes a built-in file manager called Nautilus that can open .DESKTOP files. Simply double-clicking on the file should open it.
    3. Text editors: .DESKTOP files are plain text files, so you can use any text editor like Notepad (Windows), TextEdit (Mac), or Gedit (Linux) to open and view the contents. However, editing the file may require some knowledge of the file format.
    4. Online file viewers: There are various online platforms that allow you to upload and view the contents of .DESKTOP files without requiring any installation. One such example is File Magic's online file viewer.
    5. File format conversion tools: If you are unable to open the .DESKTOP file directly, you can try converting it to a different format using file conversion tools like Zamzar or OnlineConvert. Once converted, you may be able to open the file using a different program.

    It's important to note that .DESKTOP files are primarily associated with Linux desktop environments and are used for launching applications or defining desktop shortcuts. If you are encountering issues with opening .DESKTOP files on a different operating system, it may indicate compatibility issues or a mismatched file type.
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