How to Add and Edit a Folder Description in Windows and macOS
Adding descriptions to your folders helps you organize files by project names, client details, or custom notes without making folder titles excessively long. While both operating systems support folder metadata, Microsoft Windows handles descriptions through system configuration files, whereas Apple macOS uses built-in Spotlight metadata panels. 🛠️ Windows: Editing the desktop.ini File
Windows File Explorer does not have a simple “click and type” description box for folders like it does for individual documents. Instead, you must add an InfoTip to a hidden configuration file inside the folder. Step 1: Force Windows to Generate a Configuration File Right-click your target folder and select Properties. Click the Customize tab, then choose Change Icon.
Select any random icon and click OK, then click Apply. (This action forces Windows to create a hidden configuration file called desktop.ini). Step 2: Unhide System Files
Open any File Explorer window, click the three dots (ellipsis) on the top toolbar, and choose Options. Switch to the View tab.
Uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended). Click Yes on the warning prompt, then click Apply and OK. Step 3: Insert Your Folder Description
Open the folder you want to describe. You will now see a semi-transparent file named desktop.ini. Double-click desktop.ini to open it in Notepad. Look for the line that reads [.ShellClassInfo].
Create a new line directly underneath it and type: InfoTip=Your Custom Folder Description Here. Save the document (Ctrl + S) and close Notepad. Step 4: Make Descriptions Visible in File Explorer
Navigate back to the parent directory where your folder sits.
Change your view by clicking View > Details in the top menu bar.
Right-click any of the existing column headers (like Name or Date modified) and select Comments (or click More… to find it).
Your custom text will now appear directly next to the folder under the Comments column, and will pop up as a tooltip when you hover your mouse cursor over the folder.
Note: To change or edit the description later, simply reopen the desktop.ini file and change the text next to InfoTip=. 🍏 macOS: Using Finder’s “Get Info” Comments
Adding notes, summaries, or descriptions on a Mac is a native and simple process because macOS includes a dedicated Comments field built directly into the file system. Step 1: Open the Folder Properties Pane Open Finder and locate your folder.