Desktop icons show a small lock on them

All my desktop icons have a small gold lock on the bottom left of the icon.How doI get rid of them ? Help please

 

Answer
Answer

The padlock overlay is shown for files that are "private", and present in a non-private folder.

Why Is There a Lock (Padlock) Icon on Some Files and Folders in Windows 7?
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/lock-padlock-icon-files-folders-windows-7/

What are those little overlay icons: Windows 7 edition - The Old New Thing - Site Home - MSDN Blogs:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/oldnewthing/archive/2009/12/09/9934348.aspx

But I wonder why the files on the desktop (which is private by default) is shown with the padlock symbol though.

1. Can you post a screenshot?

2. Are you able to access those files normally?

3. Where are those files located exactly, on the Public Desktop or in the User Desktop folder?


Ramesh Srinivasan | The Winhelponline Blog
Microsoft MVP, Windows Desktop Experience
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ramesh, Windows Shell MVP 2003-2012.
If this post resolves your issue, pls mark it as an Answer.

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Last updated April 22, 2025 Views 29,298 Applies to: