Member Avatar for olivia

Hi !

I use windows xp with MS word 2002.Every time I open a word documet it copies itself with the title's first 2 words altered to a dollor sign($) and ~.so if I name a file ultra.doc it would appear ~$ltra.doc, a duplicate of the original, inside content -nothing changes.could you please help me out?Thanks

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by cwhaneyjr

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What you are seeing is Word’s owner/lock file, not a copy of your document. When you open Ultra.doc, Word creates a tiny hidden file in the same folder whose name starts with "~$" and then the rest of your filename. In other words, the first two characters of the real name are replaced with "~$" (so Ultra.doc shows up as ~$tra.doc). It stores who has the file open and helps AutoRecover. It does not contain your content. As and observed, this is by design and it disappears when Word closes cleanly.

If one of those "~$" files sticks around after you close Word, it’s usually because Word or Windows crashed, or Word is still running in the background. Quick fix:

  • Close every Word window.
  • Open Task Manager and end any WINWORD.EXE processes.
  • In the document’s folder, delete the stray "~$*.doc" file.
  • Reopen your document, save, and close to confirm the lock file now comes and goes as expected.
    On shared/network folders, this lock also prevents two people from editing the same file at once, exactly as mentioned. If you get a “document is locked for editing” message, look for and remove an orphaned "~$" file once you’re sure nobody else has the document open.

’s tip to hide hidden files will keep you from seeing these, but leaving them visible can be helpful so you can spot and clean up orphans after a crash. Also note: Word may create AutoRecover files (.asd) and, if you enabled it, backup copies (.wbk). Those are different from the "~$" lock and can be useful when recovering work.

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Member Avatar for Cain

This is the "live edit" copy. if your work crashes when you are in the middle of editing a
document you can recover your work by opening the live one if i am not mistaken.

Most people first notice this when they are working out of their "My Documents" folder
and create documents on their desktop. (because they can see it happening)

This is standard behavior for many Microsoft products. Not a virus.

The file should go away if you save your work and then exit your application normally.


Enjoy,
Cain

Member Avatar for Cain

this filetype also serves as a lock file in shared environments i believe..
this prevents two people from editing the document simultaneously.
(which would allow for one individuals changes to overwrite the others)

enjoy again,
Cain

Member Avatar for c_shaft05

If you don't want to see that anymore, just open up the window for, let's say, My Documents, then tools > Folder Options> click the view tab, then scroll to hidden files and folders and click "Do Not Show Hidden Files and Folders"

Member Avatar for olivia

If you don't want to see that anymore, just open up the window for, let's say, My Documents, then tools > Folder Options> click the view tab, then scroll to hidden files and folders and click "Do Not Show Hidden Files and Folders"

thanks guys as along as its not a virus, I am happy, but why then it alters the title to some weird signs, if its not a virus, as u guys said , if its a legitimate feature of MS word , this should not happen, am I right?

Member Avatar for Cain

this should happen and is functioning properly.
typically it would happen in a folder you are not viewing.
what you are seeing is a file that is normally hidden or at least obscured
in a subdirectory.

no it isnt a virus and it is perfectly normal.


you are in good shape.

Cain

Member Avatar for alc6379

Just to back up what Cain is saying-- I opened a Word document myself, and that same file appeared. This operation is completely normal.

Member Avatar for cwhaneyjr

thanks that's great

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