What is ~ on desktop?

[River Dragon]

Why do I keep getting this ~ shortcut on my desktop?

 

[Chris Lanier]

This happens when you make a change and/or view the Address Book. You can
either rename it with a .dbx extension or delete it. It came about from
the updates numbered: 331923 and 330994. MS is aware of the issue and are
currently working on the fix.

 

[LadyBella]

Its probably our tracking cookie by the name of Gator....
I delete it when I get it then I go into IE and clean my
cookies up....and delete temp. files and then run my
spyware which I use ad-aware to get rid of pesky spies
like Gator
Hope this helps

==========================================================

 

[Tech]

It is explained here:
http://www.pchell.com/support/tildefile.shtml

 

[Grimalkin]

LadyBella wrote:
|| Its probably our tracking cookie by the name of Gator....
|| I delete it when I get it then I go into IE and clean my
|| cookies up....and delete temp. files and then run my
|| spyware which I use ad-aware to get rid of pesky spies
|| like Gator
|| Hope this helps
||

LadyBella,
Please see the other replies. They are correct. The "~" file has absolutely
nothing to do with Gator, or any other spyware.
If you read the other articles. you will see it's a glitch in Outlook
Express, creating a copy of your address book, but naming it "~". This file
may be safely deleted, but will reappear the next time the address book is
edited.
Additionally, you can "hide" the file, simply right-click on the shortcut,
chose "Properties", the "General" tab, then check the "Hidden" box, then
click "OK".
Now the file will still be there, but not visible on your desktop.