Files with .manifest extension

[THK1138]

Hello,

I was having trouble with one my computers, an HP Pavilion N5470 notebook. I could not run or reinstall my PDA sync software. I then noticed that there were files in it that have a .manifest extension. For example, I have a palm.exe file, then a 1k palm.manifest file next to it. A search finds some program files, and some system files that have the same copies.

This is happening on all 3 computers on my home LAN, 2 running WXP Pro, and the notebook XP Home. All have Service Pack 2.

Is this the W32.Manifest trojan? Is it somehow normal? When I try to delete the manifest files, I get Windows Protection errors.

Any suggestions?

TIA,

James

 

[bcastner]

Not that I have seen.

They are part and parcel of XML enabled applications. You likely have many now, and in the future many, many more.

 

[TonHu]

Tha manifest files are usually added to non-theming enabled apps to give them default XP theming 'support', the actual filename should be <app>.exe.manifest Removing these files should normally be not a problem, so maybe this is something else?

HTH
TonHu

 

[THK1138]

Thanks for the replies. I had seen information on MSDN about the XP theming. Your posts reassured me that this is nothing to worry about, and not related to the problems I was having. According to Symantec, this is not the result of W32.Manifest. I did remove some of them from one machine, and sure enough, the app lost its 'XP look' and appears 'flat'.
Thanks again.