Shortcut Entitled ~

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael B
  • Start date Start date
M

Michael B

Very recently my computer started creating a shortcut on
the desktop with just the symbol ~ below a generic icon.
It does not do this everytime, just occassionally. The
computer also creates a folder in the Documents and
Settings folder that is my name but with the symbol ~
interspersed within my name at several different spots.

My virus definitions are up to date, and Norton Antivirus
does not detect any virus on the computer.

Has anyone had a similar experience and figured out what
is going on? I just hate it when my computer does
something like this and I cannot control it.
 
Hi Michael,

The "Mysterious Tilde File" usually appears just after you close OE but only
if you made any change to Address Book during this OE session...but not
always.

It's usually found on Desktop but on occasion appears at C:\ . Rename it
~.wab and you'll see it's an exact copy of Address Book. You can either
rename it or simply delete it.

It first appeared in November '02 with 331923/Cumulative Update for OE6-SP1
which was only available via manual download and with the more recent
330994/April '03 Cumulative Patch for OE, available via Windows Update.

/xp_tweaks.htm

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm
 
Kelly,

Thank you for your reply. I am glad to know that the
intrusive file is not a virus. I have been very careful
over the years using virus protection software and
firewalls, and I would hate to have found that the bugs
were sneaking through all of that so easily.

Now that I know what the ~ file is, can I stop it from
appearing? I really have no need for this file nor do I
want it. Since I know where my address book is why do I
need a copy of it?

Michael
-----Original Message-----
Hi Michael,

The "Mysterious Tilde File" usually appears just after you close OE but only
if you made any change to Address Book during this OE session...but not
always.

It's usually found on Desktop but on occasion appears at C:\ . Rename it
~.wab and you'll see it's an exact copy of Address Book. You can either
rename it or simply delete it.

It first appeared in November '02 with 331923/Cumulative Update for OE6-SP1
which was only available via manual download and with the more recent
330994/April '03 Cumulative Patch for OE, available via Windows Update.

--
All the Best,
Kelly

MS-MVP Win98/XP
[AE-Windows® XP]

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm


Michael B said:
Very recently my computer started creating a shortcut on
the desktop with just the symbol ~ below a generic icon.
It does not do this everytime, just occassionally. The
computer also creates a folder in the Documents and
Settings folder that is my name but with the symbol ~
interspersed within my name at several different spots.

My virus definitions are up to date, and Norton Antivirus
does not detect any virus on the computer.

Has anyone had a similar experience and figured out what
is going on? I just hate it when my computer does
something like this and I cannot control it.
Click to expand...

.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Michael,

The "Mysterious Tilde File" usually appears just after you close OE but only
if you made any change to Address Book during this OE session...but not
always.

It's usually found on Desktop but on occasion appears at C:\ . Rename it
~.wab and you'll see it's an exact copy of Address Book. You can either
rename it or simply delete it.

It first appeared in November '02 with 331923/Cumulative Update for OE6-SP1
which was only available via manual download and with the more recent
330994/April '03 Cumulative Patch for OE, available via Windows Update.

--
All the Best,
Kelly

MS-MVP Win98/XP
[AE-Windows® XP]
Click to expand...

This isn't completely true now is it? I've NEVER used OE in any form
(I've seen others use it and was totally unimpressed). and twice in
the last year I've had this file pop up on my desktop. I've just
deleted it and moved on with no harm.
 
Interesting.....you seem to be the exception to the rule? :o) Do you per
chance have these two updates installed: 331923, 330994?

/xp_tweaks.htm

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm


NobodyMan said:
Hi Michael,

The "Mysterious Tilde File" usually appears just after you close OE but only
if you made any change to Address Book during this OE session...but not
always.

It's usually found on Desktop but on occasion appears at C:\ . Rename it
~.wab and you'll see it's an exact copy of Address Book. You can either
rename it or simply delete it.

It first appeared in November '02 with 331923/Cumulative Update for OE6-SP1
which was only available via manual download and with the more recent
330994/April '03 Cumulative Patch for OE, available via Windows Update.

--
All the Best,
Kelly

MS-MVP Win98/XP
[AE-Windows® XP]
Click to expand...

This isn't completely true now is it? I've NEVER used OE in any form
(I've seen others use it and was totally unimpressed). and twice in
the last year I've had this file pop up on my desktop. I've just
deleted it and moved on with no harm.
Click to expand...
 
Interesting.....you seem to be the exception to the rule? :o) Do you per
chance have these two updates installed: 331923, 330994?
Click to expand...

If you are asking me...then no, neither of those updates are installed
on my computer.
 
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