Help identifying files in C:\ drive?

Defski

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UK
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I'm seeing these files in my C:\ drive. Just need some help identifying them, so I can know what to do with them!

Much thanks :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3.5GHz Quad-Core
    Motherboard
    MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming ATX
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon HD 6950
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    128 GB SSD
    1 TB HDD
    PSU
    Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 530, Black
    Keyboard
    Razer Lycosa
    Mouse
    Razer Abyssus
    Internet Speed
    Download: 60 Mbps Upload: 7 Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Symantec
AMTAG is some sort of media file
BCDBackup are likely from using a BCD editing tool
bootmgr is OK, it's related to Windows
BOOTNXT is a Windows file also.
I'm unsure about END, and KDLogMsg.out
HCT is some sort of logfile - open it with Notepad to see what's in it
RAMDiskImage is some sort of image file - but it's 0 bytes, so it may be damaged
pagefile.sys is your Virtual Memory
I'm uncertain about swapfile.sys - but it implies it's used in swapping operations. There's a discussion about it here: What is the purpose of the file C:\swapfile.sys

Be very, very careful what you delete out of the root of C:\ - it may render your system unbootable!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1Pro - Finally!!!
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung/NP780
    CPU
    Came with the laptop (i7 of some sort)
    Motherboard
    Pretty sure that it has one, but haven't checked inside the case!
    Memory
    upgraded to 12 gB from 8 gB
    Graphics Card(s)
    has switchable - Intel/ATI - Used wrong drivers, now ATI card is inop :( Will have to fix it soon!
    Sound Card
    I'm nearly deaf, so this isn't used often
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Touchscreen on laptop/32" Toshiba on HDMI (laid the Sharp TV on a mouse and cracked the screen!)
    Screen Resolution
    800x600
    Hard Drives
    One Samsung 1tB drive - 5400 rpm. Gonna switch to a 7200/10000 rpm or an SSD (if I can find $500 for a 1tB SSD!)
    - Switched to 500 gB Samsung 840 series SSD - WOW!!!
    PSU
    Why do we ask this for laptops?
    Case
    Silver with a neat Samsung logo
    Cooling
    sub-par, gotta get around to working on it soon Worked on it - still sub-par! :(
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural - the same one I've used since it orignally came out around 1995
    Mouse
    no Mouse - Trackball!!!!
    Internet Speed
    too slow when I'm waiting for a download to finish
    Browser
    Yes, I use this (Firefox mostly, w/IE next most)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Windows Firewall
    Other Info
    I'm handsome and a snappy dresser :0)
AMTAG is some sort of media file
BCDBackup are likely from using a BCD editing tool
bootmgr is OK, it's related to Windows
BOOTNXT is a Windows file also.
I'm unsure about END, and KDLogMsg.out
HCT is some sort of logfile - open it with Notepad to see what's in it
RAMDiskImage is some sort of image file - but it's 0 bytes, so it may be damaged
pagefile.sys is your Virtual Memory
I'm uncertain about swapfile.sys - but it implies it's used in swapping operations. There's a discussion about it here: What is the purpose of the file C:\swapfile.sys

Be very, very careful what you delete out of the root of C:\ - it may render your system unbootable!

What I don't get is why these files have appeared in my C:\. Even with hidden active, why are they appearing here now?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3.5GHz Quad-Core
    Motherboard
    MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming ATX
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon HD 6950
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    128 GB SSD
    1 TB HDD
    PSU
    Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 530, Black
    Keyboard
    Razer Lycosa
    Mouse
    Razer Abyssus
    Internet Speed
    Download: 60 Mbps Upload: 7 Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Symantec
Some are supposed to be there, others are a result of programs that you've installed.
Frankly, I don't like programs that install stuff in the root of my C: drive - that's a sloppy way of doing business.
When I find it, I try to avoid using that program in the future.

(I currently have a problem in the root of my C: drive due to a virtual machine program - and I'll switch to another VM program when I have time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1Pro - Finally!!!
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung/NP780
    CPU
    Came with the laptop (i7 of some sort)
    Motherboard
    Pretty sure that it has one, but haven't checked inside the case!
    Memory
    upgraded to 12 gB from 8 gB
    Graphics Card(s)
    has switchable - Intel/ATI - Used wrong drivers, now ATI card is inop :( Will have to fix it soon!
    Sound Card
    I'm nearly deaf, so this isn't used often
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Touchscreen on laptop/32" Toshiba on HDMI (laid the Sharp TV on a mouse and cracked the screen!)
    Screen Resolution
    800x600
    Hard Drives
    One Samsung 1tB drive - 5400 rpm. Gonna switch to a 7200/10000 rpm or an SSD (if I can find $500 for a 1tB SSD!)
    - Switched to 500 gB Samsung 840 series SSD - WOW!!!
    PSU
    Why do we ask this for laptops?
    Case
    Silver with a neat Samsung logo
    Cooling
    sub-par, gotta get around to working on it soon Worked on it - still sub-par! :(
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural - the same one I've used since it orignally came out around 1995
    Mouse
    no Mouse - Trackball!!!!
    Internet Speed
    too slow when I'm waiting for a download to finish
    Browser
    Yes, I use this (Firefox mostly, w/IE next most)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Windows Firewall
    Other Info
    I'm handsome and a snappy dresser :0)
Delete them and then see if you can still boot your system.

You put them there so you decide.

I also have a BCD backup though as I decided to make it. If you don't know what it is for you probably don't need it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
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