"~$" in filenames

[NickH88]

I have several .docx files, .xlsx files, and a .rtf file that have "~$" added to the beginning of their filenames, sometimes replacing the first character or first few characters. When I open them, all I see is text of my name, often repeated, and often with other, sometimes illegible characters mixed in. In most cases, I've found the corresponding "real" file (with the proper filename), but often in a different folder. I read at http/support.microsoft.com/?kbid=211632 that .doc files like this are "owner files;" I would assume that this applies to my .docx, .xlsx, and .rtf files as well, right? Do I just delete these files with the "~$" in their filenames, or is there any way to get the original file from them if I am unable to locate it?

Thanks!

 

[kenrivers]

From what I have read the files that begin with a ~ or ~$ are temporary files that are created when you are working in a program such as Word or Excel. Normally they are deleted when you close the program and usually only remain if the program is not closed properly. If I am editing a Word document, for example, and go to the folder I opened the file from I will see a file with the ~ in front of it. Once I have saved and closed Word the file disappears. Before deleting the ones with the ~$ I would locate the ones with the proper file name.
These links may help if you can't find the "real files":
http/support.microsoft.com/kb/827099
http/office-recovery.com/

 

[MeneerWitte]

I have several .docx files, .xlsx files, and a .rtf file that have "~$" added to the beginning of their filenames, sometimes replacing the first character or first few characters. When I open them, all I see is text of my name, often repeated, and often with other, sometimes illegible characters mixed in. In most cases, I've found the corresponding "real" file (with the proper filename), but often in a different folder. I read at http/support.microsoft.com/?kbid=211632 that .doc files like this are "owner files;" I would assume that this applies to my .docx, .xlsx, and .rtf files as well, right? Do I just delete these files with the "~$" in their filenames, or is there any way to get the original file from them if I am unable to locate it?

Thanks!

Kindly I ask your attention.

Not just text file, much more file will have those open/in use extension.
When closed/not in use, these temporary files will be gone.
It will be shown with more Opened Files, not just text documents.
The left part of the Start menu has on top program links and recently used program list below. Just put a shortcut link to the upper part and find out if the program you use, will have thoos options too. Might be that the program keeps a Recently Opened File/Item list itself too.

And if you like,

Programs these days have options for Path and/or File Title in the Title bar, just look ad Settings for the option of the program. And some programs have a Resiliently Opened Files list ad the Menu/Start menu of there program. Or you can edit the menu's and ad it to it. Look ad there manuals, it's the easiest way to find out.

Some programs have the option for Open Last Session, if so and you had the options set to Path in Title bar, you will find it. However, some programs might have the option to open the containment folder/ folder that contains the file.

So much options for it. I guess you already tried Search ad the Start menu.

To find a file you just opened, you can go to the programs history, if the program has any.
Some programs have it and some the options when placed in the upper part of the left Start menu like Live Mail.
If you like, you could start the service 'Recently Open Files' ad your Start menu.
Just right click on Start, left click Proportion. Now a window will open, choose Start Menu tab, left click upper right button (?) Settings. Below you can see a list of options for the Start Menu, there you can set Recently Opened Items to active or not. When it's not active, select it and you will see a V in the selection square.
When all is correct, you can see this option ad your Start menu on the right.

Just for the fun,

Start your browser, search with different engines and use different phrases:

Recently opened files software download
Recently opened files Windows 7
Free recently opened files software download
And so on.

Here you will find enough links to go for!

When you have a opened symbol, you could try to delete it. Than you need an unlocker and eraser.
For these actions you need the programs too, just put in the names Unlocker and Eraser for download in your browser search bar.
It might work or not, because actually it's a temporary file created to edit it, without using/changing the original file till saved.

Unlocker and Eraser can delete files that are in use by programs or the system.
There will be the option for doing it after a reboot. Don't worry, the programs will give you options and you need to confirm it before anything will happen.

And when you want to use Notepad++, it will keep .txt files and so active when you open the program again. So, with Title and Path options in the Title bar, you can always find them for deletion.

Don't the Office suites these days have the option for restore previous session or Recently Opened Files standard?

Hopefully I let you known enough and that you will find the answers you seek!

Good luck and have fun doing it!

Best Regards,

MeneerWitte

 

[MeneerWitte]

http/svasey.org/projects/urpkg/manual/ch03s06.html
for example and there will me much more about it. You could try Wiki EN too if you like.

 

[NickH88]

Thanks everyone. This is happening in situations where the original files are definitely not open in Word or anything else. It's on an old failing drive that I have inserted in a docking station and am exploring using an Ubuntu LiveDVD, so in the cases where I can't find the original files, I won't be able to access them by searching in the Start menu, viewing the list of recently opened files, or restoring my last session in Office.

If I can't find the original file, the owner file is still completely useless to me; it cannot be used to aid me in locating or to otherwise restore the original file and/or its contents, correct?

 

[MeneerWitte]

Thanks everyone. This is happening in situations where the original files are definitely not open in Word or anything else. It's on an old failing drive that I have inserted in a docking station and am exploring using an Ubuntu LiveDVD, so in the cases where I can't find the original files, I won't be able to access them by searching in the Start menu, viewing the list of recently opened files, or restoring my last session in Office.
If I can't find the original file, the owner file is still completely useless to me; it cannot be used to aid me in locating or to otherwise restore the original file and/or its contents, correct?

Kindly I ask your attention.

All the answers so far:

1
They are temporary files.
When a program opens a file, a temporary file will be created. This is a temporary file for editing and so on, without changing the original file.
A so called virtual file to work with, without changing the original file.
When you save the changes, the changes will be saved to the original file.
The temporary file will be active to work with and when you close the file, the temporary file will be gone too.
This goes for (?) nearly every file.

It's like you take a paper document that you have and you will take another empty paper file, you write it original over to the paper file with changes. That's the old office use, with paper and pen. The issue here is, that if you want to change it again, you have to do it all over again.

When you do it with your computer, it's all digital. What means no spelling of unnecessary paper and ink.

That's one of the serons whey the computer is developed.

2
It could be that you have set the settings to show all files, also system files.
Than the files how are added to the desktop by your system, will be shown too.
You will not be able to delete that file, or be able to edit it.
To find out witch file it is, you have to search the net for the answer.

Lets say it happens when you use Ubuntu, than you go to Ubuntu and ask them where the file is located. In this case it's a owned file by the system, the system needs it. Don't edit it, your not qualified for it. Other wise you wouldn't ask about it.

For example, doesn't mean it is:
Lets say you have mounted a drive, that might be shown ad your desktop when you have a medium placed in it, and/or opened/in use.
That means it's a temporary file for the system.

When you unmount, the file will be gone.
When you take it out the DVD, it will be gone. The system has been shutdown, file not needed and deleted.

Well, if it's the Live disk, you will not be able to find the file or whatever.
The system create this temporary file for it's own use. Well, the system needs it and I guess it will be an owned file too.

If you really want an answer about it, ask Ubuntu.

Or,

Toms Hardware needs to ad to software:

Linux Based OS's

Hopefully I let you known enough and that you will find the answers you seek!

Good luck and have fun doing it!

Best Regards,

MeneerWitte