weird file on usb drive


  1. Posts : 13,301
    Windows 10 Pro (x64) 21H2 19044.1526
       #1

    weird file on usb drive


    xMjkYE.exe 641 kb on a usb drive.

    scanned with norton and malwarebytes no bad result.
    tried to delete it and it said I needed admin permission even though I
    was on the admin account at the time.
    tried taking ownership ....same result.

    any ideas?
    thanks
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 56,804
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #2

    thomaseg1 said:
    xMjkYE.exe 641 kb on a usb drive.

    scanned with norton and malwarebytes no bad result.
    tried to delete it and it said I needed admin permission even though I
    was on the admin account at the time.
    tried taking ownership ....same result.

    any ideas?
    thanks
    What was the last thing you used the USB thumb drive for? Maybe that will give us a clue. Google search on it comes up empty. There are ways to zap it, but we should verify first what it is, if we can. Thanks.

    The size of it suggests it's a "stub" file, usually used to download something else, like for an install.

    If there is nothing else on the thumb you want or need, you can format it, and that will kill it. If there are files you need, copy them off, and format.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 13,301
    Windows 10 Pro (x64) 21H2 19044.1526
    Thread Starter
       #3

    it is a 4 gig external (easy store)
    downloaded movies , no programs
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 56,804
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #4

    thomaseg1 said:
    it is a 4 gig external (easy store)
    downloaded movies , no programs
    Make a folder somewhere on the hard drive/ssd, copy the movies to it, format the Thumb, copy movies back to it.

    You might want to run Norton and MBAM on the whole Thumb first. Not just that file.

    Not suggesting anything, but the phrase "downloaded movies" raises my antennae. Don't know what, if anything, hitched a ride.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 13,301
    Windows 10 Pro (x64) 21H2 19044.1526
    Thread Starter
       #5

    they came from windows store
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 56,804
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #6

    thomaseg1 said:
    they came from windows store
    Ok, then they are safe. Still think it's a stub file. The strange upper-lower case name looks like a link to a cloud server file. If you want it gone, and can't delete it, do the copy/format/copy routine. It may be harmless and came from the store also.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    It might be able to be deleted by booting into a linux live flash drive.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 13,301
    Windows 10 Pro (x64) 21H2 19044.1526
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I forgot about linux, can it be done with windows linux bash.
    haven't used it much, been waiting for a gui version .
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #9

    thomaseg1 said:
    I forgot about linux, can it be done with windows linux bash.
    haven't used it much, been waiting for a gui version .
    You don't need to use Linux - just take ownership, give yourself authority and delete it (use takeown then icacls)

    I've found the same as @f14tomcat - Windows will use any connected drive during updates to store temp files. In my experience it will not necessarily delete them.

    I googled "xMjkYE" btw but only found it on a Japanese website of random letter combinations.
      My Computer


 

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