Unknown Folders and Files Appear in my OneDrive. Possible Hack or Virus

 I was reviewing my "Music" folder in my OneDrive and found numerous additional files that I did not upload or save to my OneDrive. They have random folder names like 00 or 09 or 31. The folders I created in the "Music" folder are Artist/Band names. Some of the folders are empty. Some have files with a filename similar to "5b66e5ae18c5b5566183414197e09a2048ef0ee4.file" and size of  approximately 30 kb, but vary slightly.  Not all of the random folders contain these files.

I deleted all the files when they first appeared, but they have returned.  I ran Microsoft Defender on the OneDrive "Music" on my PC but found nothing.

Hi moranm,

I'm Nik, an independent advisor here to assist you with this.

May I know from where you have downloaded the music files? It seems to like your most of the cloud music app keeps hidden mnusic file cache on the local drive.

Regards
Nik

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Most are from Amazon.  Some I created from CDs I own.  These are not hidden files. They are additional folders with a random file in some of these folders, not in all.  A gif of the folder structure is below.  The folder "2 Cellos is the only folder I created.  These folders appeared about a week ago.  I have not added or downloaded any music from this location in months.

m moran

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Hi Moranm,

It looks like that OneDrive is copying additional file when you sync music files, I have found an article with some suggestion from community forum if that helps:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

Regards
Nik

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Hi Moranm,

It looks like that OneDrive is copying additional file when you sync music files, I have found an article with some suggestion from community forum if that helps:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

Regards
Nik

I am not syncing anything.  Other than the appearance of these random folders and files, nothing has changed in the Music folder. This morning, I checked the recycle bin in OneDrive.  It contained several days worth of the files with the .file extension. These files were only in the OneDrive recycle bin, not on the PC.  I emptied the recycle bin and deleted all of the random folders and files in OneDrive.  I then emptied the OneDrive Recycle Bin and the PC Recycle Bin.  A few hours later, I checked OneDrive ad all of the folders have returned to the "Music" folder as well as 45 of the random .file extension files in the OneDrive Recycle Bin.  The PC Recycle Bin is empty.  I again ran MS Defender as a Custom scan on the PC OneDrive and nothing was found.

The time stamp in the OneDrive Recycle Bin shows different times for the .file extension files there. 

I reviewed the post you sent, followed the little bit of possible fixes (run MS Defender, delete the files), but they all return. The original issue still exists. I have not added or synced any new files to One Dive in several months.  The only actions I have taken are deleting all the random new files and folders.

The problem still exists.

m moran

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Hi moranm,

To better assist you, we'll let other advisors or fellow users share their input regarding this matter. They would be able to respond to this thread. Your patience will be highly appreciated.

Regards
Nik

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Last updated March 31, 2025 Views 3,679 Applies to: