Strange folders?

Under the Path of:
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\UserData\
There are 12 folders, most are empty but 3 has some data (XML) files.
The largest file is named: oXMLStore[1].XML and has this data:

<ROOTSTUB sPersisthnw_checklistP0= "no" sPersisthnw_checklistP1= "no" sPersisthnw_checklistP2= "no" sPersisthnw_checklistP3= "no" sPersisthnw_checklistP4= "no" sPersisthnw_checklistP5= "no" sPersisthnw_checklistP6= "no" sPersisthnw_checklistP7= "no" sPersisthnw_checklistP8= "no" sPersisthnw_checklistP9= "no" sPersisthnw_checklistP10= "no" sPersisthnw_checklistP11= "no" sPersisthnw_checklistP12= "no "/>

Two other folders exist with a single file named: 0WindowsUpdate[1].XML
and contains only the words: <ROOTSTUB/>.

Is it safe to delete these folders? If not, can someone tell me what they are used for.....

thank you,
savagcl

 

I think This sort of code on a web page (or pages) is responsible for the UserData folder and the XMP code stored there.

Normal use is to help with filling out forms so that if you put the wrong type of data in a block or fail to put in required data, you get a message to that effect. If properly written, the contents will be stored locally in UserData but should expire and vanish after a period of time.

If not properly written, it can easily hang around.

But yes - safe to delete.

I have the following on my PC right now (haven't cleaned things up in a while) but when I checked, all but a couple of the folders are empty and the others have XML pages like the one detailed in the picture.

I suppose it is possible that you could get some baddies this way if your browser isn't set for reasonably high security. Not aware of any specific examples but it does seem like something that could happen.

 

They seem to have something to do with your ability to save your personalized settings on the Windows Updater site. They may have other uses as well but I don't have specifics.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=836914

 

Thanks guys, i knew someone here would have the answer.

savagcl