Forum Discussion
Odd zero length file in User Folder
Anyone have an idea what this file would be from? I found it in my User folder when looking for something else. It's a zero length file, so obviously a flag of some kind. It may be a registration flag?
When I did a further search, I find it's something to do with Microsoft Office it appears. It's certainly a mystery why so many copies of that DLL, they mostly seem to be exactly the same. There are a couple of oddballs in the WinSxS folder that are different lengths. I get the feeling that a couple more versions of Windows and the whole house of cards will collapse under it's own weight!
3 Replies
Typically, zero-length files (files with no data) can serve various purposes. They might be placeholders, flags for installers, or remnants from failed installations or updates. In your case, since you mentioned it’s related to Microsoft Office, it’s possible that these files are leftover from an Office installation or uninstallation.
The presence of multiple copies of DLLs in the WinSxS (Windows Side-by-Side) folder is also normal, as this folder is designed to store different versions of DLLs to support various applications that may rely on specific versions. Over time, as different applications are installed and uninstalled, this folder can accumulate many versions of the same library, which can indeed lead to the perception of bloat.
It's likely a leftover or flag file created by Microsoft Office or Windows Installer during setup or registration. Zero-length files like this are often harmless placeholders. If it's in your user folder and not causing issues, it's safe to ignore.
