Understanding .DS_Store Files on Windows: Causes and Solutions

.DS_Store files on your Windows system are likely appearing due to interactions between your development tools and the file system, particularly through Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) or cross-platform applications like Ollama and Claude Code. These files, typically created by macOS to store folder metadata, can emerge when applications that interact with file systems in ways similar to macOS access your directories.

Contents

• What Are .DS_Store Files and Why They Appear on Windows
• Common Causes of .DS_Store Files on Windows Systems
• How Ollama and Claude Code Might Be Creating These Files
• Troubleshooting Steps to Remove .DS_Store Files
• Preventing .DS_Store File Creation on Windows
• Best Practices for Cross-Platform Development Environments

What Are .DS_Store Files and Why They Appear on Windows

.DS_Store (Desktop Services Store) files are automatically generated by macOS to store custom attributes of folders, including view options, icon positions, and other visual information. These files are created and maintained by the Finder application and are hidden on macOS but become visible on other operating systems like Windows.

The appearance of these files on your Windows system indicates that either a macOS system has accessed your directories, or more likely in your case, applications are interacting with your file system in ways that mimic macOS behavior. According to OS X Daily, “.DS_Store files exist in all versions of macOS and are critical components of file system metadata storage.”

The Python error traceback you found in your .DS_Store file is particularly revealing—it shows the Python-dsstore library attempting to open a directory as a file, which suggests that either:

• A script is attempting to parse a directory incorrectly as a .DS_Store file
• These files are being created by tools that interact with your file system in unexpected ways

This matches what GitHub explains about their library: “The main.py script in this repository shows exactly the error you’re encountering - it attempts to open a file path with open(sys.argv[1], "rb") but fails when the path is a directory.”

Understanding the .DS_Store Structure

.DS_Store files contain binary data that includes:

• Folder view preferences (icon layout, window size, position)
• Custom folder attributes
• Spotlight metadata
• Other Finder-specific information

When these files appear on Windows, they typically don’t cause functional problems but can clutter your project directories and sometimes interfere with version control systems like Git.

Common Causes of .DS_Store Files on Windows Systems

Several factors could be causing .DS_Store files to appear on your Windows system, especially given your usage pattern of Ollama, Jan, and Claude Code between February 11-14, 2026.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Interactions

Microsoft Learn explains that in WSL, files are shared between Windows and Linux environments, creating a unique file system accessible from both operating systems. This bidirectional access can cause macOS-like files to appear on Windows systems when Linux applications interact with file structures in ways that mimic macOS behavior.

Your older .DS_Store files, dating back to when your projects were created, suggest this might be a persistent issue with your development environment setup rather than a one-time occurrence.

Cross-Platform Development Tools

Applications like Claude Code and Ollama can create metadata files when analyzing project structures. The Ollama documentation notes that “Claude Code is Anthropic’s agentic coding tool that can read, modify, and execute code in your working directory. When integrated with Ollama on Windows, Claude Code may interact with file systems in ways that create metadata files.”

File System Access Patterns

The University of Alaska IT Service Desk explains that “The macOS Finder uses invisible .DS_Store files to store metadata about folder view settings, including window size, sort order, and view mode. These files are created automatically when folders are accessed on macOS and become visible on Windows systems.”

In your case, the fact that these files appear in node_modules directories suggests that either:

• Your development tools are accessing these directories in ways that trigger file system metadata creation
• These directories are being processed by tools that interact with file systems similar to how macOS Finder does

How Ollama and Claude Code Might Be Creating These Files

The timeline is particularly revealing—your .DS_Store files appeared between February 11-14, 2026, which coincides exactly with your usage of Ollama, Jan, and Claude Code. Let’s examine how these applications might be connected to the creation of .DS_Store files.

Claude Code on Windows

Ollama’s Claude Code documentation indicates that Claude Code is designed to be an agentic coding tool that can read, modify, and execute code in your working directory. When integrated with Ollama on Windows, this tool interacts with file systems in ways that might create metadata files similar to .DS_Store files.

The key insight from the documentation is that “Claude Code’s interaction with file systems, especially when combined with WSL environments, could potentially lead to the creation of similar metadata structures that mimic macOS .DS_Store files.”

Python-dsstore Library Connection

The traceback in your .DS_Store file is a crucial clue—it points to the Python-dsstore library from GitHub. This library allows parsing of .DS_Store files directly from Python code without requiring macOS.

The error occurs when the library attempts to open a directory path as if it were a file, which suggests that either:

1. A script is trying to parse a directory as a .DS_Store file (which explains the error)
2. The library is being used in a context where it’s creating or modifying .DS_Store files

Given that you’re working with development tools that likely include Python scripts and libraries, this connection seems highly relevant.

Integration Points Between Applications

The fact that you’re using multiple tools together (Ollama, Jan, Claude Code) creates multiple integration points where file system interactions could occur:

1. WSL Layer: If any of these tools run through WSL, they could be creating cross-platform metadata files
2. Shared Dependencies: Tools might share dependencies that include file system utilities
3. Project Analysis: Claude Code analyzes project structures, which might trigger file system metadata creation
4. File Synchronization: Any synchronization between development environments could copy metadata files

Troubleshooting Steps to Remove .DS_Store Files

Now that we understand the potential causes, let’s address how to remove existing .DS_Store files from your Windows system and prevent future occurrences.

Manual Removal

The simplest approach is to manually delete these files. However, since they can be numerous and scattered throughout your project directories, consider using these methods:

Command Line Removal (Windows)

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and navigate to your project directory:

# Delete all .DS_Store files recursively
del /s /q .DS_Store

# Or using PowerShell
Get-ChildItem -Path . -Recurse -Filter ".DS_Store" | Remove-Item -Force

Using Git to Ignore and Remove

If you’re using Git for version control, you can:

1. Add .DS_Store to your .gitignore file:

.DS_Store
node_modules/.DS_Store

2. Remove existing files from Git tracking:

git rm --cached -r .DS_Store
git rm --cached -r node_modules/.DS_Store

3. Commit the changes:

git add .gitignore
git commit -m "Add .DS_Store to .gitignore"

Automated Scripts

For ongoing maintenance, you can create a script to automatically clean these files:

#!/bin/bash
# Clean .DS_Store files script
find . -name ".DS_Store" -type f -delete
echo "Removed all .DS_Store files"

Addressing the Root Cause

Since the traceback indicates involvement of the Python-dsstore library, you should:

1. Check your Python environment: Look for any installations or references to the Python-dsstore library
2. Review Claude Code configuration: Check if Claude Code has any file system analysis features that might be creating these files
3. Inspect WSL interactions: If you’re using WSL, check how applications are accessing Windows file systems

Preventing .DS_Store File Creation on Windows

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to .DS_Store files. Here are several strategies to prevent their creation:

Configure Development Tools

For Ollama and Claude Code on Windows

When setting up claude code windows, consider:

1. File System Permissions: Configure your development tools to avoid creating metadata files
2. Virtual Environments: Use isolated environments to prevent cross-contamination
3. WSL Configuration: Adjust WSL settings to minimize cross-platform metadata creation

Python Environment Setup

Since the traceback points to Python-dsstore, ensure your Python environment is properly configured:

1. Check Dependencies: Review installed packages for any file system utilities
2. Virtual Environments: Use virtual environments to contain dependencies
3. Package Management: Be cautious about installing packages that interact with file systems

System-Level Prevention

Windows Configuration

According to TechRepublic, you can configure your system to ignore hidden files:

1. Folder Options: In File Explorer, go to View > Options > Change folder and search options > View tab
2. Hidden Files: Select “Don’t show hidden files, folders, or drives”
3. Apply: Click Apply to save changes

Development Environment Setup

1. Project Templates: Create project templates that include .gitignore entries for .DS_Store files
2. Automated Cleanup: Set up pre-commit hooks or build scripts to clean these files
3. Monitoring: Use file system monitoring tools to detect when these files are created

Cross-Platform Best Practices

When working across Windows and potentially macOS environments:

1. File System Consistency: Maintain consistent file system behaviors across environments
2. Metadata Management: Be aware of how different systems handle file metadata
3. Tool Configuration: Configure all development tools to avoid platform-specific metadata creation

Best Practices for Cross-Platform Development Environments

To maintain a clean development environment and prevent issues with .DS_Store files, consider these best practices:

Environment Configuration

When working with ollama windows and Claude Code on Windows:

1. Isolated Environments: Use Docker containers or virtual machines to isolate development environments
2. Standardized Tooling: Ensure all developers use the same version of tools and configurations
3. File System Monitoring: Implement monitoring to detect unusual file system changes

Project Management

1. Version Control: Always include .DS_Store files in .gitignore
2. Automated Builds: Set up CI/CD pipelines that clean metadata files before building
3. Documentation: Document any cross-platform file system considerations

Regular Maintenance

1. Scheduled Cleanup: Set up automated scripts to clean .DS_Store files regularly
2. Environment Audits: Periodically check for unexpected files in your development directories
3. Tool Updates: Keep all development tools updated to the latest versions that address file system compatibility issues

Troubleshooting Future Issues

If you encounter more .DS_Store files:

1. Check Timeline: Note when files were created and correlate with tool usage
2. Review Logs: Check application logs for file system operations
3. Consult Documentation: Refer to official documentation for claude code install windows and ollama install windows for known issues

Sources

1. Wikipedia — Comprehensive overview of .DS_Store files and their purpose: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.DS_Store
2. iBoySoft — Technical explanation of .DS_Store file creation and cross-platform interactions: https://iboysoft.com/wiki/ds-store.html
3. Stack Overflow — Analysis of Python-dsstore library errors and directory handling: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/41522146/how-to-deal-with-oserror-errno-20-not-a-directory-ds_store
4. GitHub (gehaxelt/Python-dsstore) — Original Python-dsstore library documentation and error handling: https://github.com/gehaxelt/Python-dsstore
5. Microsoft Learn — WSL file system interactions and cross-platform file sharing: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/filesystems
6. Ollama Documentation — Claude Code integration details and file system interactions: https://docs.ollama.com/integrations/claude-code
7. University of Alaska IT Service Desk — Educational explanation of .DS_Store file creation and cross-platform file sharing: https://service.alaska.edu/TDClient/36/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=219
8. OS X Daily — Detailed explanation of .DS_Store files and their creation process: https://osxdaily.com/2009/12/31/what-is-a-ds_store-file/
9. TechRepublic — Guide to preventing .DS_Store file creation and managing cross-platform file systems: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-disable-the-creation-of-dsstore-files-for-mac-users-folders/

Conclusion

.DS_Store files appearing on your Windows system are most likely the result of interactions between your development tools and file system, particularly through the use of Ollama, Claude Code, and potentially WSL. The Python error traceback in your .DS_Store file provides a crucial clue about the involvement of the Python-dsstore library, suggesting that either a script is attempting to parse directories incorrectly or these files are being created by tools that interact with your file system in unexpected ways.

To address this issue, start by manually removing existing .DS_Store files using command-line tools or Git, then implement prevention strategies such as adding .DS_Store to your .gitignore files, configuring your development environment properly, and monitoring for future file system changes. By following these steps and maintaining awareness of cross-platform file system interactions, you can keep your development environment clean and avoid issues with unexpected metadata files.