~abcd.doc files

[rookie1010]

Hello,

Every few days i end up accumulating these files with word extensions (.doc), starting with a tilde. they are 1 KB in size
they have filenames which are similar to existing files on the folder.

i cannot open these files. what are these files and why do i get them?

 

[MrChad]

Description of how Word creates temporary files

 

[rookie1010]

thanks for the link dude.

so word creates these temp fles for various purposes and they exist only for the duration of the task.

After word has been shut down they are no longer valid and should be deleted, correct?

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: rookie1010
thanks for the link dude.

so word creates these temp fles for various purposes and they exist only for the duration of the task.

After word has been shut down they are no longer valid and should be deleted, correct?

I've generally found that to be the case. Often they contain auto-save information, so if Word shuts down unexpectedly before you've saved your document, the presence of those temporary files may allow Word to recover your work when you start it back up again. But as long as your document is properly saved and Word is closed, you can safely delete those files.

 

[rookie1010]

thanks for the reply,

so the temp files do allow a way of restoring lost information if word shuts down unexpectedly.

sometimes when i start up word, there are some files which are shown in the left margin which are retrievable, do these files have anything to do with .temp files.