Ghost Files On Hard Drive

[andy-hughes]

Sometimes, when I have worked on a PowerPoint file on my portable hard drive, it will bring up a duplicate file at the top of the list, with a squiggle, then an 's' symbol, and then a shortened version of the file name.

I usually delete them, with no apparent harm, but why do they pop up, and do I actually need to keep them?

[barry1010]

Uncle Bing and his Co Pilot tells us:

Based on the web search results, these files are temporary files that PowerPoint creates when a file is opened. They are meant to be deleted when the file is closed, but sometimes they remain if PowerPoint crashes or is not closed properly. They are not harmful and can be deleted manually. They are used to prevent other users from opening the same file at the same time and to recover the file in case of a crash. 

[andy-hughes]

Thanks Barry.

[barry1010]

Don't thank me, thank the chat-bot AI thingie.  Your question seemed the perfect opportunity for me to try it out. 

Seems impressive.  

[Peter Pedant]

when you type type typing your little heart out, you should make a file and save it ( control S that is!) but PowaPt does it too, not that efficiently. Office used to be VERY volatile ( = crashed a lot) and at least you had saved a bit

so it a sort of back up. I dont delete them, just in case I lose everything.

[barry1010]

andy, have you seen the latest post in the AB Eds' Blog?

[andy-hughes]

Barry, yes thank you.