Win 32 icon on my desktop

[telfordpeter]

Hi Everybody,
A WIN32 icon has just appeared on my desktop computer. It does not have the blue up arrow signifying that it is a shortcut. Checking the icon properties reveals that it's path is shown as C:\Users\Peter\Desktop.
The size is 207mb and contains 309 Files, 63 Folders.
I am worried that if I delete it, I could remove a huge amount of system data.
I have no idea how this icon appeared. All the other icons on my desktop have blue up arrows and definitely shortcuts but the WIN32 icon referred to above is a real mystery.
Any advice would really be appreciated.
Best wishes,
Peter

 

[andrew129260]

Scan your system for threats with a full scan, and can you take a snapshot of your desktop with the file and upload it here?

 

[Sir George]

Hi Everybody,
A WIN32 icon has just appeared on my desktop computer. It does not have the blue up arrow signifying that it is a shortcut. Checking the icon properties reveals that it's path is shown as C:\Users\Peter\Desktop.
The size is 207mb and contains 309 Files, 63 Folders.
I am worried that if I delete it, I could remove a huge amount of system data.
I have no idea how this icon appeared. All the other icons on my desktop have blue up arrows and definitely shortcuts but the WIN32 icon referred to above is a real mystery.
Any advice would really be appreciated.
Best wishes,
Peter

In addition to the post from andrew129260, did you install any new software or updates prior to the problem? Do you run an AV program and are the definitions up to date? Have you checked for malware?

As a possible solution you could try using a restore point created prior to the problem.

HTH

 

[telfordpeter]

Scan your system for threats with a full scan, and can you take a snapshot of your desktop with the file and upload it here?

Hi Andrew,
Full scan hasn't removed the icon.
Photo of desktop attached.
Best wishes,
Peter

 

[telfordpeter]

Win 32 Icon

Hi Sir George,
Have run AV with definitions up to date but nothing shows up. Please see photo I uploaded just now of my desktop.
I will run a system restore shortly and get back you asap. Thanks for your help.
Best wishes,
Peter

Hi Everybody,
A WIN32 icon has just appeared on my desktop computer. It does not have the blue up arrow signifying that it is a shortcut. Checking the icon properties reveals that it's path is shown as C:\Users\Peter\Desktop.
The size is 207mb and contains 309 Files, 63 Folders.
I am worried that if I delete it, I could remove a huge amount of system data.
I have no idea how this icon appeared. All the other icons on my desktop have blue up arrows and definitely shortcuts but the WIN32 icon referred to above is a real mystery.
Any advice would really be appreciated.
Best wishes,
Peter

In addition to the post from andrew129260, did you install any new software or updates prior to the problem? Do you run an AV program and are the definitions up to date? Have you checked for malware?

As a possible solution you could try using a restore point created prior to the problem.

HTH

 

[telfordpeter]

Hi Sir George,
Cannot run a system restore due to the fact that the system restore dates keep disappearing, I am told that this may be due to a "dual boot" situation. This is being resolved shortly when Windows XP Pro will be removed from one of my drives.
If you have any more suggestions I would be grateful for your help as it cannot be correct to have a WIN32 folder on my desktop which is NOT a shortcut. I am concerned as to what may happen if I accidentally delete the icon. See the screen shot above.
Best wishes,
Peter Saphier