Hey folks,
I keep finding shortcuts that I didn't create and I don't want. It seems like every Word file or jpg I insert into a Word file gets a shortcut associated with it. I removed a whole bunch of them, but as soon I open one of the Word docs or jpg's it creates a new shortcut. How do I prevent this from happening?

Hey there Stevephil,

This could be one of two things, either a temporary file is being created or the could be a virus doing it.

1. Does this file appear on your desktop?
2. Could you take a screenshot of one of these files and post it onto the forum for us.
3. If you open a word document you say the file appears, if you close the word document does it disappear again?

Hi Zimbo,
First, I discovered this totally by accident - it doesn't show up on my desktop or anything like that. I was doing a "Find Files" search for ordinary shortcuts (lnk) for programs and such and that's when I found them. They show up there after I've finished viewing a Word document - there's no indication that its happened until I look for it. I hope that helps. Steve

When you view/open a file it creates a temporary file in certain locations, this helps the computer remember where the file is and to help it open faster.

Normally you will get "shortcuts" for everything you open in a section called RECENT, this is nothing to worry about, all computers do it.

Are these links in the 'Recent' folder?

Hi Zimbo,
I'm not talking about Recent or temporary "shortcuts" that go away on their own. These are shortcuts that I find when I do a search for "lnk" in Find Files." It only happens with Word docs - that's what I want to fix.

Steve

Would you be able to take a screenshot of these files for me so I can see what you mean?

Hi there stevephil,
Do you mean shortcuts that have this sign (~) before them and would look like a hidden file? I always see this on my Pc but i just delete them. Probably this would help you Zimbo.