mysterious file on the desktop

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Guest

Hello and thanks for reading this. I have a mysterious file that has
appeared on my Windows XP (and Windows 98SE computer at home) desktop. The
file has a ~ symbol, and when I click on it, it says windows cannot open this
file. using the web option to try to find information comes back page cannot
be displayed. Checking the properties it says "type of file: File"
Description: ~
Size 174Kb (178,975 bytes)
Size on disk 176Kb (180,224 bytes)
Created Sept 20 2004
Modified October 19 2004

no attributes checked
Under Advanced it says archive and fast search attributes checked.

The summary boxes are blank

If I delete the file, it reappears with each restart of windows. Curiously,
the file date of Oct 19 is the same date as the file date on my Windows 98SE
computer at home, which has the same file. Any ideas?

I have run virus scans etc, but they do not seem offended by the file. I
wish I could attach it so you can see it, but don't have that option here.


Regards,
Dan
 
Hi Blacksheiladog,

Not to worry, it is a backup file of your Outlook Express Address Book. Have
a look at this MSKB article, "A file that is named "~" appears on the
desktop or in another location on the hard disk when you edit a contact in
the Outlook Express Windows Address Book" for further information:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=830921



Regards,
 
Blacksheiladog said:
Hello and thanks for reading this. I have a mysterious file that has
appeared on my Windows XP (and Windows 98SE computer at home)
desktop. The file has a ~ symbol,
Click to expand...

Good grief! Is someone STILL asking about this?

www.google.com is your friend!
 
In
Blacksheiladog said:
Hello and thanks for reading this. I have a mysterious file that has
appeared on my Windows XP (and Windows 98SE computer at home)
desktop. The file has a ~ symbol, and when I click on it, it says
windows cannot open this file. using the web option to try to find
information comes back page cannot be displayed. Checking the
properties it says "type of file: File" Description: ~
Size 174Kb (178,975 bytes)
Size on disk 176Kb (180,224 bytes)
Created Sept 20 2004
Modified October 19 2004

no attributes checked
Under Advanced it says archive and fast search attributes checked.

The summary boxes are blank

If I delete the file, it reappears with each restart of windows.
Curiously, the file date of Oct 19 is the same date as the file date
on my Windows 98SE computer at home, which has the same file. Any
ideas?

I have run virus scans etc, but they do not seem offended by the
file. I wish I could attach it so you can see it, but don't have
that option here.


Regards,
Dan
Click to expand...

This is a rampant copy of your Address Book WAB file. You can either delete
it or just for fun - rename it test.wab and click on it. It will show you
your address book entries from the lat time it was changed. You can read
more about it here
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=830921
 
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