~ file on desktop contains address book

[Ken Palmer]

I have seen this file named ~ with no extension on at
least 6 desktops recently. File size is generally around
180K and when opened with Notepad reveals the Windows
Address Book. Systems are all updated & virus protected
by either Trend Micro, Norton, or McAfee with current
virus definition files. No other trace of virus symptoms.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Ken;
The tilde (~) is a result of this patch:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/330994/default.asp
The file is created when certain changes are made to your address
book.
The files can be safely deleted.
A search of Google shows many having the same harmless but possibly
annoying issue.

My understanding is that Microsoft is aware of the issue.

 

[Ken Palmer]

Thanks Jupiter, I appreciate the info. Now I can give my clients an
explanation. In fact I got the same icon on my desktop as soon as I setup my
Outlook Express to read the newsgroups!

Hope I can return the favor some day.

Ken