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I deleted /home/user/Desktop because I don't put anything on the Desktop. Unfortunately the directory keeps reappearing.

What I tried so far is to replace XDG_DESKTOP_DIR="$HOME/Desktop" with XDG_DESKTOP_DIR="" in ~/.config/user-dirs.dirs, but it didn't help.

I'm pretty sure I locked down the desktop completely in an earlier install, but I can't remember how I did it.

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2 Answers

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Probably some of the programs you're using recreates it everytime you run it... maybe nautilus uses it for default folder, or for example firefox as a default download place, or something similar..?

edit: well, i'm not exactly sure this will work because it's quite old, but it still might put you on the right track...

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It's probably nautilus, but how can I turn it off? – Ludwig Weinzierl Dec 13 '10 at 21:59
edited the answer, give it a try... =) – pootzko Dec 13 '10 at 22:34
Thanks pootzko. Apparently there was a bug report and subsequent fix in 2007 (--no-desktop). Unfortunately it doesn't work anymore. – Ludwig Weinzierl Dec 14 '10 at 19:45
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I think you just have to set these variables to non-empty values. The directories will be created somewhere, but they can be out of sight.

$ grep DESKTOP ~/.config/user-dirs.dirs
XDG_DESKTOP_DIR="$HOME/.xdg/Desktop"

(works for me on Ubuntu 10.04)

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Thanks Gilles, I did just that and it works. I'm concerned however that some day I accidentally drop something on the desktop and wonder where it went because I don't remember where I hid the folder:-). – Ludwig Weinzierl Dec 14 '10 at 19:54
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