Create a new folder with the name X.
Open the command prompt and rename it to one of the following:

.{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D} (= My Computer)
.{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103} (= My Documents)
.{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D} (= My Network Places)
.{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} (= Recycle Bin)
.{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D} (= Internet Explorer)
.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} (= Control Panel)
.{D20EA4E1-3957-11D2-A40B-0C5020524153} (= Administrative Tools)
.{00020D75-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} (= Inbox)
.{D20EA4E1-3957-11D2-A40B-0C5020524152} (= Fonts)
.{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E} (= Network Connections)
.{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D} (= Printers and Faxes)
.{7BE9D83C-A729-4D97-b5A7-1B7313C39E0A} (= Programs Folder)
.{E211B736-43FD-11D1-9EFB-0000F8757FCD} (= Scanners and Cameras)
.{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF} (= Scheduled Tasks)
.{48E7CAAB-B918-4E58-A94D-505519C795DC} (= Start Menu Folder)
.{7BD29E00-76C1-11CF-9DD0-00A0C9034933} (= Temporary Internet Files)
.{BDEADF00-C265-11d0-BCED-00A0C90AB50F} (= Web Folders)
.{6DFD7C5C-2451-11D3-A299-00C04F8EF6AF} (= Folder Options)
.{00020801-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} (= Folder)
.{00021400-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} (= Another Folder)

Important: include the point and nothing before that!

Example: "rename X .{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}"

You can make a shortcut to that folder, change the target and icon and you have a nameless shortcut.

The "My Computer","My Network Places" and "My Documents" folders will disappear when you place it on your desktop. (it's still there but you can't see it)

I discovered this a long time ago while I was using Windows 98 & WinHacker.
With WinHacker it was possible to create an expanding Control Panel in the Start Menu, but something went wrong and I got one without a name.
I wanted to recreate that and I did.

Now its possible to do this all and more without creating and renaming folders. (See Page 4)
For these Desktop Icons with Enhanced Context menus I've created a new thread here.

interesting, i'll try it out

Some of these folders react like shortcuts, but they are also folders. (look at the properties + you can explore them)
They should all work with XP, most of them work in win 98, NT and 2000.
I have added some more in the zip file, the Tweak UI folder works only when you have “Tweak UI for Windows XP” installed.

You should get something like this:

There's a slightly easier way. You can also rename the icon and type Alt+255. For each consecutive icon, adding another Alt+255.

Yes, but when you select that icon it still has a name and these have none.

Cool Kinda funky if you think about it. May I ask where you found out? Or did you find it out yourself?

I found it out myself while I was using Windows 98 & WinHacker.
With WinHacker it was possible to create an expanding Control Panel in the Start Menu, but something went wrong and I got one without a name.
I wanted to recreate that and I did.

It is also possible to create folders with your own icons.
Example included ¬

Big Pimpin... I've always used the alt+255 myself but I'll try this out, Thanks.

this is very useful for people who use docks btw

It is also possible to create shortcuts, they react like shortcuts but they are folders. (Right click & Explore)

See attachment...

If you want to create more folders, you have to give them another address.
See attachment...

I made some buttons for ya all.
The zip includes a Shutdown, a Stand By and a Lock Computer button.
First import the Reg Files and rebuild the icon cache.
You can edit the Reg Files to change the icons.
Remember that these are still folders so you can right click & explore them and hide your stuff in there.
When you left click them they react like shortcuts.
As far as I know they work only in XP. (The Shutdown & Stand By functions)

hehe, this is really cool! tnx alot.

This is nice! kthx

wow, that is awesome, thanks for the info

Thanx for the replies ..

Here are some new ones (Device Manager & Services)

Pardon a n00b for his infinite stupidity
Say I want to create just a plain folder, for putting files in, on my desktop, how do I go about renaming it to do that?

holy ****! you are the master windows hacker! I've been waiting for something like this for a long time

great...ill try it

It has nothing to do with stupidity, you have to know a little bit about the Registry.

There are some more examples in previous attachments.



How to create a folder without a name.


Create a txt file and copy-the text below. (between the ---------------)
It is important to give it a non existent address. (in this example {00000000-4000-0000-C000-000000000046} )


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00000000-4000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
"InfoTip"="Anything You Want"
@="Whatever"


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When you want to have it a folder icon, add nothing.
When you want to give it your own icon add:


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00000000-4000-0000-C000-000000000046}\DefaultIcon]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\ANYWHERE\\WHAT.ico"


and point the icon to any icon you want.

Rename the txt file to Folder.reg and import it. (Double click)


Create a new folder with the name x.
Open the command prompt and rename it to .{00000000-4000-0000-C000-000000000046}

rename x .{00000000-4000-0000-C000-000000000046}

Important: include the point and nothing before that!

If you want to create more folders you have to change the address:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00000000-4001-0000-C000-000000000046}]
The next:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00000000-4002-0000-C000-000000000046}]


Herby

Glad I could help.

Thankyou Very-much for taking the time to explain, Herby.

You're welcome...

When you see the CLSID extension instead of nothing, it is needed to check "Hide protected operating system files" in the View tab from the Folder Options.
Don't know why, but it works that way.

And uh.. how do you delete these? It didn't work for me and I can't remove them.. in fact.. i cant touch anything that was in the same folder.. "access denied" .. its in use

Never had that problem before ... from which zip file are they?
Restart your computer might help.

Made some more buttons, the zip includes Word, Excel, Powerpoint & Outlook (Office XP & 2003)
Just import the Reg File from the Office Version that you use and rebuild the Icon Cache.

p.s. in the first post I said "When you open the attached zip you see nothing", but this depends on the compression program & settings ur using.

At request; non "disappearing" My Computer, My Network Places & My Documents Shortcuts/Folders.

Wacky, wacky stuff that you can do on the big Windows. Not sure why I'd every want to, but hey, life goes on and tweaks are nifty.

Some of us like clean & functional desktops...

Forgot Internet Explorer + made one for Firefox...

Herby i got a little tip for your "windows hack"

instead of using cmd.exe to create folders and shortcuts without names

you can make a batch file so you don´t have to write the registry name.

Just make a txt document using notepad and write:

rename (name of folder/shortcut) .{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXX-XXXXXXXXXXX}

For example: "rename X .{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}" (copied form you Herby)

and save the file as a *.bat file

Goes much faster for me.

I must be crazy or just really stupid but all the folders work properly but keep the .{xxxxx names. Is there something I tweaked earlier that is allowing these names to stay attached?

I usually copy and paste within the Command Prompt, but thanks for the tip!



I explained this a few posts back...
When you see the CLSID extension instead of nothing, it is needed to check "Hide protected operating system files" in the View tab from the Folder Options.
Refresh the Icons or Reboot and they are gone.

Thanks Herby, I must have read that like 20 times and it just didn't sink in. I put on my stupid hat and I'll sit in the corner for 30 minutes.

Welkome to Neowin!

Here is a very small free utility to Rebuild the IconCache.
If you don't like to click on "Ok" everytime u use it, create a Shortcut and add " -close" to the end of the Command Line.

'mkdir .{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXX-XXXXXXXXXXX}' would be even easier

thnx for the tweak, nameless folders rock

nice.

Alt + 255 is just the fancy way to add a space . Could just press spacebar!

& you're welkome..

excellent tweak herby. thanks!!

Welkome to Neowin!

thanks herby.

real nice
thanks a lot

Hmm...this isn't working for me. I tried to create a couple shortcuts, and it didn't work. So I downloaded the Nothin__.zip file - those didn't work either. They all have the actual .{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXX-XXXXXXXXXXX} data showing up.

Any ideas??

When you see the CLSID extension instead of nothing, it is needed to check "Hide protected operating system files" in the View tab from the Folder Options.
Refresh the Icons or Reboot and they are gone. (& read the previous posts)

Ah, that's it lol. Thanks. Must have skipped those posts.

It's no longer needed to create and rename the folders anymore.

The "Add 'em.reg" adds shortcuts to My Computer, My Network Places, My Documents, the Recycle Bin and Internet Explorer to your desktop.
All the shortcuts have no text and an Enhanced Context Menu. (See Screenshots)
To change the Icons, edit the lines under;
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}\DefaultIcon]
to something like @="X:\\XXXXXXX\\IconDir\\AnyIconYouWant.ico".
You can't remove or rename them, to remove them, Import "Remove 'em.reg" and Refresh your Desktop.

Thanks my good friend for the tweak, but I don't use nothing icons on my desktop see my sig and attempt expand it for better look; instead I put all icons on quick launch and resize taskbar only with principal applications of course