AppData, random string in folder name

fifi23 · 23 Nov 2013

Hello to all,

I use windows 7 pro 64b and I is not problem.

I 'm just curious and I can seek an answer to that :

In my AppData , where some application configuration file are saved ,

I have a folder whith big names .

An example is better than 1,000 words :
"C:\Users\ILoveMac\AppData\Local\Bill2_Software\ProcessManager.exe_Url_dsxrk2bizea4svskwp5cwqflljdag "

Well sure, this is not the only one, and it does not happen for every folder present.

Currently I think one thing

:1) Does it come portable application?

If I copy my apps
"C:\Bill2_Software1\ProcessManager.exe" in "C:\Bill2_Software2\ProcessManager.exe"

I run the copy and I close it , I see the creation of another folder :
"C:\Users\Brice\AppData\Local\Bill2_Software\ProcessManager.exe_Url_5zikfar0bm1dv0mt2uwjnaz32gm5 0"

This would allow windows to associate each application to this respective configuration :

"C: \ Bill2_Software1 \ ProcessManager.exe "
to
"C:\Users\ILoveMac\AppData\Local\Bill2_Software\ProcessManager.exe_Url_dsxrk2bizea4svskwp5cwqflljdag "

and

"C: \ Bill2_Software2 \ ProcessManager.exe "
to
"C:\Users\ILoveMac\AppData\Local\Bill2_Software\ProcessManager.exe_Url_5zikfar0bm1dv0mt2uwjnaz32gm50 "

This does not occur for any portable app.When do you think? Do you have the same thing at home with some folder?

Sincerly

Kari · 23 Nov 2013

Hi Fifi, welcome to the Seven Forums.

Quite a many programs create files and / or folders in AppData and / or ProgramData with unique names. Your example shows this program created a unique identifier containing an encrypted URL or information to be passed to a URL. Not knowing the program itself this unique string most probably contains a URL with your credentials or other program / user related information which is passed to browser when a certain link is clicked or page opened.

This is the same than for instance a unique ID string in a confirmation link sent to you when you join some web services, here for instance one I got just yesterday when I registered in a web service. They sent me a confirmation link to confirm my email address, link contains a unique identifier which when clicked takes me to a correct page with my credentials:

Code:

https://WEB SERVICE NAME REMOVED.com/validation/new/?state=d51liE0Xk-h1CpP7Ntjme8zbusTZ9lDKc7odMxMY_7pN21n_3Bbm19uErmI9Ms9KkiVMQ8MjOpmBSeAbDk4QvR3bKaoypARu4WAxUqRjvDh-FZ4Nt_5oUtltyA48mCsfpwfGkAiZaWVUdT-KTXE1pw

You notice the similarity? A unique identifier which when decrypted contains my information.

This is totally normal. You should leave all files and folders in AppData intact, there's a good reason why AppData is hidden by default.

A portable app is portable exactly because it does not need to store information needed to run the program locally (Program Files, AppData, ProgramData). That's why you do not see files for them in AppData.

Kari

fifi23 · 23 Nov 2013

A portable app is portable exactly because it does not need to store information needed to run the program locally (Program Files, AppData, ProgramData).

I should have said "an application that does not require installation file" :)

I continue to search for know who managed that.
:)

Kari · 23 Nov 2013

Sorry, I do not understand you now? Those files with randomized strings in their name are totally normal. You should leave them as they are.

fifi23 · 23 Nov 2013

I do not intend to remove them, but I want to know if this is the developer, who had a good idea, or if it just windows.

just curious

Kari · 23 Nov 2013

That file is most definitely created by the program, not by Windows system. I repeat what I said earlier, you should leave the file(s) there and not tamper with them.

Also, as I said earlier, there's a really good reason for the AppData folder being hidden by default: Emptying possible Temp folders excluded, there's nothing in AppData you should manually rename, remove or edit.