.anf files

eMTe · Post by **eMTe** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:34

Every (put randomly chosen number) of days/months I can find several, mysterious .anf files on my C disk. Sometimes there's one, sometimes there are five. I dont know when they are created, since I use folder shortcuts and I rarely visit C:\ directory. They are usually about slightly over 1 Mb in size. I tried to search web for info, but Ive found different explanations for this abbreviation, together with very vague and cofusing info.

Post by **Chroelle** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 15:58

Do you use a program called Acutenotes? That is the entry I found with the most plausible explanation... Why it sends the files there I do not know. My workplace has some weird extensions sent to its C-drive too, and we cant really figure out what it is.

Post by **Zyx** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 16:17

First, I'll rule out viruses/malware, because I assume that's already checked.

So, my guess is that those files are temporary files left over by some application. (Yes, I'm being Captain Obvious here.)

My main argument is that C:\ is guaranteed to exist on any Windows computer (and is user-writeable), so our lazy programmer thought that would be a perfect place to write them to. The other is the odd extension, which probably doesn't mean anything to anyone else but the programmer (If I had to guess, the **f stands for File... Try to work out if you've any games/applications that are made by or are named AN).

Trying to open the (most likely) binary file in a hex editor and hunting down strings could help solve the mystery, but otherwise it looks like those files shouldn't be there, because no-one else has noticed them – or the extension is generated randomly.

eMTe · Post by **eMTe** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 16:40

Viruses/malware is not an option. My compy is cleaned on daily basis.

I also feel that these are some leftovers. What process leaves them there is a mystery. I dont think I'll grab hex editor, since I dont like downloading programs for one use and these anfies arent a serious problem. They just grow sometimes, like mushrooms.

Scythe · Post by **Scythe** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 17:15

God, I hate .sqm files...

eMTe · Post by **eMTe** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 23:55

Anfies may have sth to do with my extensive usage of Screenshot Pilot. One of the possible explanations Ive found.

Pater Alf · Post by **Pater Alf** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:19

Might be possible. I just realised that there are .anf in my diectory C: too. And when I look at the names it is very likely that they were created by the Screenshot Pilot (which I use as well)...

eMTe · Post by **eMTe** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 19:17

Annotation Pilot Documents.

Post by **Chroelle** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 23:04

That doesn't abreviate to anf???

eMTe · Post by **eMTe** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 0:11

That was the answer to my own question from first post. I solved the mystery.

Post by **Zyx** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:36

Chroelle wrote:That doesn't abreviate to anf???

Of course it does, ANnotation pilot document File...