What are ._ type documents?

  • Thread starter Thread starter LinLin
  • Start date Start date
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LinLin

I am using Word 2003.

I have noticed that in my word folder, I have normal word files (for
example, xxxxx.doc) but also this kind of file: ._xxxxx.doc (that is, full
stop/underscore/name of file)

I gather this might have something to do with the file save options, but I
can't work out how to turn it off. The actual file is very small and is not a
proper back up of the original doc.
Any suggestions appreciated - thanks!
 
Word creates a variety of temporary files (see
http://www.gmayor.com/what_to_do_when_word_crashes.htm ) though the naming
syntax is not as you describe - however this naming structure may be a
function of a non-English version if that applies in your case.

The working files are essential and cannot be deleted or prevented. You
should only be concerned if they are not removed automatically when Word
(and Outlook) are closed.

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Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

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Hello Graham

It is an English version.

Yes - what you describe is correct - in my case, these files are NOT
automatically removed when Word is closed.
Any ideas why this occurs? Does it only happen when Word is closed
incorrectly crashes?
Thanks
 
Are you sure Word is closed? It may appear to be closed, but still running
if, for example, you have Outlook running. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL and check
running processes.

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Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

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Some temp files, such as those copy/paste files that are on the Office
Clipboard will not be deleted until Windows is closed.

Terry Farrell
 
To: LinLin,

Have you opened it up and taken a look? Can't hurt to just look. Chances are
that it is a left over temp file from Word or perhaps a left over compressed
file from some other application. But if the extension is .doc, then it
should be some sort of a document file. Take a look and if there is anything
of importance in it, that should give you some idea where it came from, and
if there is nothing of importance in it, or if you can't read whats in it,
delete it. Since if it was an important program file, it wouldn't be in a
document folder. Your document folder is for documents.

Steven Craig Miller
 
Thanks Graham, Steven, Terry

The weird temp files are on a computer of a friend, and as they have limited
idea about how Word works, I am piecing together the mess from my own
experience with Word.

I've looked at the files and they are have about 10b of data, so they are
obviously
residual files left over but not deleted when Word was closed. So I wanted
to check with you all if it would cause any problems for me later if I delete
them now.
No, I think is the answer!

So thanks for all your thoughts and consider this closed!

cheerio
 
To get an idea of the kinds of temp files Word normally creates, see
"Description of how Word creates temporary files" at
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=211632. I don't recognize the type you
describe, but I have seen this syntax in files that have been compressed, I
think, in CAB files. When they are expanded, the correct filename is
restored.
 
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