Why are PNG files stored in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 ?

Is this normal? Was my Windows 10 compromised?

@AdvancedKeySettingsNotification.png
@AppHelpToast.png
@AudioToastIcon.png
@BackgroundAccessToastIcon.png
@bitlockertoastimage.png
@edptoastimage.png
@EnrollmentToastIcon.png
@language_notification_icon.png
@optionalfeatures.png
@StorageSenseToastIcon.png
@VpnToastIcon.png
@WindowsHelloFaceToastIcon.png
@WindowsUpdateToastIcon.contrast-black.png @WindowsUpdateToastIcon.contrast-white.png
@WindowsUpdateToastIcon.png
@WirelessDisplayToast.png
@WLOGO_48x48.png
ActiveHours.png
BluetoothPairingSystemToastIcon.contrast-black.png BluetoothPairingSystemToastIcon.contrast-high.png BluetoothPairingSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png BluetoothPairingSystemToastIcon.png
BluetoothSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
BluetoothSystemToastIcon.png
ComputerToastIcon.contrast-white.png
ComputerToastIcon.png
DefaultAccountTile.png
DesktopSpotlightToastIcon_Dark.png
DesktopSpotlightToastIcon_Light.png
DisplaySystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
DisplaySystemToastIcon.png
FeatureToastBulldogImg.png
FeatureToastDlpImg.png
GameSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
GameSystemToastIcon.png
HandwritingSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
HandwritingSystemToastIcon.png
HeadphoneSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
HeadphoneSystemToastIcon.png
HeadsetSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
HeadsetSystemToastIcon.png
HealthSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
HealthSystemToastIcon.png
InputSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
InputSystemToastIcon.png
KeyboardSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
KeyboardSystemToastIcon.png
MediaSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
MediaSystemToastIcon.png
MouseSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
MouseSystemToastIcon.png
OkDone_80.contrast-black.png
OkDone_80.contrast-white.png
OkDone_80.png
PhoneSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
PhoneSystemToastIcon.png
RemoteSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
RemoteSystemToastIcon.png
RestartNowPower_80.contrast-black.png
RestartNowPower_80.contrast-white.png
RestartNowPower_80.png
RestartTonight_80.png
RestartTonight_80_contrast-black.png
RestartTonight_80_contrast-white.png
ScheduleTime_80.contrast-black.png
ScheduleTime_80.contrast-white.png
ScheduleTime_80.png
SecurityAndMaintenance.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Alert.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Error.png
Snooze_80.contrast-black.png
Snooze_80.contrast-white.png
Snooze_80.png
SpeakersSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
SpeakersSystemToastIcon.png
SvBannerBackground.png
WindowsSecurityIcon.png
wpcatltoast.png
wpcmon.png
X_80.contrast-black.png
X_80.contrast-white.png
X_80.png


--

@~@ Simplicity is Beauty! Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch!
/ v \ May the Force and farces be with you! Live long and prosper!!
/( _ )\ https://sites.google.com/site/changmw/
^ ^ https://github.com/changmw/changmw
The game is afoot... Meow...


--- PyGate Linux v1.5.18
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Mr. Man-wai Chang,

Why are PNG files stored in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 ?

Is this normal? Was my Windows 10 compromised?

What do you get when you drop one or more of those filenames into google ?

Regards,
Rudy Wieser



--- PyGate Linux v1.5.18
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 2026/6/29 18:41:18, R.Wieser wrote:

Mr. Man-wai Chang,

Why are PNG files stored in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 ?

Is this normal? Was my Windows 10 compromised?

What do you get when you drop one or more of those filenames into google ?

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

I have 89 .png files under that folder - 7 in subdirectories, so that
makes 82 in the exact folder. They're mostly very small; the ones I
could open seem to be just icons or similar.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Often at work I wish they'd pay me what I'm worth, but sometimes I'm
glad they don't. (BrritSki, in uk.media.radio.archers, on 2000-12-25.)

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.18
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 06/29/2026 1:13 PM, Mr. Man-wai Chang wrote:

Why are PNG files stored in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 ?

Is this normal?

Yes

Was my Windows 10 compromised?

No


Look at the file dates then try and use your skills to determine the
reason for being saved(in System32).





--
...w­¤?ñ?¤

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.18
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 6/29/26 4:53 PM, ....winston wrote:

On 06/29/2026 1:13 PM, Mr. Man-wai Chang wrote:

Why are PNG files stored in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 ?

Is this normal?

Yes

Was my Windows 10 compromised?

No

Look at the file dates then try and use your skills to determine the
reason for being saved(in System32).

Kinda sounds like some browser cache went amok.

--
Mint 22.3, Thunderbird 140.12.0esr, Firefox 152.0.3
Alan K.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.18
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

In article <111u931$gkvl$1@toylet.eternal-september.org>, toylet.toylet@gmail.com
(Mr. Man-wai Chang) wrote:

*From:* "Mr. Man-wai Chang" <toylet.toylet@gmail.com>
*Date:* Tue, 30 Jun 2026 01:13:03 +0800

Why are PNG files stored in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 ?

Is this normal? Was my Windows 10 compromised?

@AdvancedKeySettingsNotification.png
@AppHelpToast.png
@AudioToastIcon.png
@BackgroundAccessToastIcon.png
@bitlockertoastimage.png
@edptoastimage.png
@EnrollmentToastIcon.png
@language_notification_icon.png
@optionalfeatures.png
@StorageSenseToastIcon.png
@VpnToastIcon.png
@WindowsHelloFaceToastIcon.png
@WindowsUpdateToastIcon.contrast-black.png @WindowsUpdateToastIcon.contrast-white.png
@WindowsUpdateToastIcon.png
@WirelessDisplayToast.png
@WLOGO_48x48.png
ActiveHours.png
BluetoothPairingSystemToastIcon.contrast-black.png BluetoothPairingSystemToastIcon.contrast-high.png BluetoothPairingSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png BluetoothPairingSystemToastIcon.png BluetoothSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
BluetoothSystemToastIcon.png
ComputerToastIcon.contrast-white.png
ComputerToastIcon.png
DefaultAccountTile.png
DesktopSpotlightToastIcon_Dark.png
DesktopSpotlightToastIcon_Light.png
DisplaySystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
DisplaySystemToastIcon.png
FeatureToastBulldogImg.png
FeatureToastDlpImg.png
GameSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
GameSystemToastIcon.png
HandwritingSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
HandwritingSystemToastIcon.png
HeadphoneSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
HeadphoneSystemToastIcon.png
HeadsetSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
HeadsetSystemToastIcon.png
HealthSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
HealthSystemToastIcon.png
InputSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
InputSystemToastIcon.png
KeyboardSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
KeyboardSystemToastIcon.png
MediaSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
MediaSystemToastIcon.png
MouseSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
MouseSystemToastIcon.png
OkDone_80.contrast-black.png
OkDone_80.contrast-white.png
OkDone_80.png
PhoneSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
PhoneSystemToastIcon.png
RemoteSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
RemoteSystemToastIcon.png
RestartNowPower_80.contrast-black.png
RestartNowPower_80.contrast-white.png
RestartNowPower_80.png
RestartTonight_80.png
RestartTonight_80_contrast-black.png
RestartTonight_80_contrast-white.png
ScheduleTime_80.contrast-black.png
ScheduleTime_80.contrast-white.png
ScheduleTime_80.png
SecurityAndMaintenance.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Alert.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Error.png
Snooze_80.contrast-black.png
Snooze_80.contrast-white.png
Snooze_80.png
SpeakersSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png
SpeakersSystemToastIcon.png
SvBannerBackground.png
WindowsSecurityIcon.png
wpcatltoast.png
wpcmon.png
X_80.contrast-black.png
X_80.contrast-white.png
X_80.png

I have all of those here too so I guess they've always been there.
--
Regards
John

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.18
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 6/30/2026 4:53 AM, ....winston wrote:

Look at the file dates then try and use your skills to determine the
reason for being saved(in System32).

Among the files I found, the following four
file names are most interesting. Good
security means leaving PNG files in ...
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32? ;)

SecurityAndMaintenance.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Alert.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Error.png
WindowsSecurityIcon.png

--

@~@ Simplicity is Beauty! Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch!
/ v \ May the Force and farces be with you! Live long and prosper!!
/( _ )\ https://sites.google.com/site/changmw/
^ ^ https://github.com/changmw/changmw
The game is afoot... Meow...

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.18
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 6/30/2026 2:09 AM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

On 2026/6/29 18:41:18, R.Wieser wrote:

Mr. Man-wai Chang,

Why are PNG files stored in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 ?

I have 89 .png files under that folder - 7 in subdirectories, so that
makes 82 in the exact folder. They're mostly very small; the ones I
could open seem to be just icons or similar.

Listing those found in my C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32
and its subdirectories (countL: 97). There are
pet photoes.

C:\Windows\System32\> dir *.png /s/a/b

C:\Windows\System32\@AdvancedKeySettingsNotification.png C:\Windows\System32\@AppHelpToast.png
C:\Windows\System32\@AudioToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\@BackgroundAccessToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\@bitlockertoastimage.png C:\Windows\System32\@edptoastimage.png C:\Windows\System32\@EnrollmentToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\@language_notification_icon.png C:\Windows\System32\@optionalfeatures.png C:\Windows\System32\@StorageSenseToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\@VpnToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\@WindowsHelloFaceToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\@WindowsUpdateToastIcon.contrast-black.png C:\Windows\System32\@WindowsUpdateToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\@WindowsUpdateToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\@WirelessDisplayToast.png C:\Windows\System32\@WLOGO_48x48.png
C:\Windows\System32\ActiveHours.png C:\Windows\System32\BluetoothPairingSystemToastIcon.contrast-black.png C:\Windows\System32\BluetoothPairingSystemToastIcon.contrast-high.png C:\Windows\System32\BluetoothPairingSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\BluetoothPairingSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\BluetoothSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\BluetoothSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\ComputerToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\ComputerToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\DefaultAccountTile.png C:\Windows\System32\DesktopSpotlightToastIcon_Dark.png C:\Windows\System32\DesktopSpotlightToastIcon_Light.png C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\FeatureToastBulldogImg.png C:\Windows\System32\FeatureToastDlpImg.png C:\Windows\System32\GameSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\GameSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\HandwritingSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\HandwritingSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\HeadphoneSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\HeadphoneSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\HeadsetSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\HeadsetSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\HealthSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\HealthSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\InputSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\InputSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\KeyboardSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\KeyboardSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\MediaSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\MediaSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\MouseSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\MouseSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\OkDone_80.contrast-black.png C:\Windows\System32\OkDone_80.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\OkDone_80.png C:\Windows\System32\PhoneSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\PhoneSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\RemoteSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\RemoteSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\RestartNowPower_80.contrast-black.png C:\Windows\System32\RestartNowPower_80.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\RestartNowPower_80.png C:\Windows\System32\RestartTonight_80.png C:\Windows\System32\RestartTonight_80_contrast-black.png C:\Windows\System32\RestartTonight_80_contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\ScheduleTime_80.contrast-black.png C:\Windows\System32\ScheduleTime_80.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\ScheduleTime_80.png C:\Windows\System32\SecurityAndMaintenance.png C:\Windows\System32\SecurityAndMaintenance_Alert.png C:\Windows\System32\SecurityAndMaintenance_Error.png C:\Windows\System32\Snooze_80.contrast-black.png C:\Windows\System32\Snooze_80.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\Snooze_80.png C:\Windows\System32\SpeakersSystemToastIcon.contrast-white.png C:\Windows\System32\SpeakersSystemToastIcon.png C:\Windows\System32\SvBannerBackground.png C:\Windows\System32\WindowsSecurityIcon.png
C:\Windows\System32\wpcatltoast.png
C:\Windows\System32\wpcmon.png
C:\Windows\System32\X_80.contrast-black.png C:\Windows\System32\X_80.contrast-white.png
C:\Windows\System32\X_80.png C:\Windows\System32\Bthprops\@BthpropsNotificationLogo.png C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_7840b4313191ae17\NvCamera\Sticker01.png
C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_7840b4313191ae17\NvCamera\Sticker02.png
C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_7840b4313191ae17\NvCamera\Sticker03.png
C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_7840b4313191ae17\NvCamera\Sticker04.png
C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_7840b4313191ae17\NvCamera\Sticker05.png
C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_7840b4313191ae17\NvCamera\Sticker06.png
C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_7840b4313191ae17\NvCamera\Sticker07.png
C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_7840b4313191ae17\NvCamera\Sticker08.png
C:\Windows\System32\PerceptionSimulation\Assets\ClosedHand.png C:\Windows\System32\PerceptionSimulation\Assets\OpenHand.png C:\Windows\System32\PerceptionSimulation\Assets\Pinch.png C:\Windows\System32\PerceptionSimulation\Assets\Point.png C:\Windows\System32\Speech_OneCore\common\privacy-icon.png C:\Windows\System32\Speech_OneCore\common\toast-hero-image.png


--

@~@ Simplicity is Beauty! Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch!
/ v \ May the Force and farces be with you! Live long and prosper!!
/( _ )\ https://sites.google.com/site/changmw/
^ ^ https://github.com/changmw/changmw
The game is afoot... Meow...

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.18
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 06/30/2026 4:03 AM, Mr. Man-wai Chang wrote:

On 6/30/2026 4:53 AM, ....winston wrote:

Look at the file dates then try and use your skills to determine the
reason for being saved(in System32).

Among the files I found, the following four
file names are most interesting. Good
security means leaving PNG files in ...
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32? ;)

SecurityAndMaintenance.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Alert.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Error.png
WindowsSecurityIcon.png

Missed the hint.
Dates, not names.

--
...w­¤?ñ?¤

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.18
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 6/30/2026 8:16 PM, ....winston wrote:

On 06/30/2026 4:03 AM, Mr. Man-wai Chang wrote:

SecurityAndMaintenance.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Alert.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Error.png
WindowsSecurityIcon.png

Missed the hint.
Dates, not names.

C:\Windows\System32> dir *security*.png
Volume in drive C is [+]WIn10

Directory of C:\Windows\System32

12/07/2019 05:08 PM 5,783 SecurityAndMaintenance.png
12/07/2019 05:08 PM 2,613 SecurityAndMaintenance_Alert.png 12/07/2019 05:08 PM 6,873 SecurityAndMaintenance_Error.png 12/07/2019 05:08 PM 759 WindowsSecurityIcon.png
4 File(s) 16,028 bytes


--

@~@ Simplicity is Beauty! Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch!
/ v \ May the Force and farces be with you! Live long and prosper!!
/( _ )\ https://sites.google.com/site/changmw/
^ ^ https://github.com/changmw/changmw
The game is afoot... Meow...

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.18
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 06/30/2026 9:53 AM, Mr. Man-wai Chang wrote:

On 6/30/2026 8:16 PM, ....winston wrote:

On 06/30/2026 4:03 AM, Mr. Man-wai Chang wrote:

SecurityAndMaintenance.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Alert.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Error.png
WindowsSecurityIcon.png

Missed the hint.
Dates, not names.

C:\Windows\System32> dir *security*.png
ÿVolume in drive C is [+]WIn10

Directory of C:\Windows\System32

12/07/2019ÿ 05:08 PMÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 5,783 SecurityAndMaintenance.png
12/07/2019ÿ 05:08 PMÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 2,613 SecurityAndMaintenance_Alert.png 12/07/2019ÿ 05:08 PMÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 6,873 SecurityAndMaintenance_Error.png 12/07/2019ÿ 05:08 PMÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 759 WindowsSecurityIcon.png
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 4 File(s)ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 16,028 bytes

Quite informative. Probably many more with the exact same date.
=> a very telling clue why those files are are present in that folder.



--
...w­¤?ñ?¤

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.18
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 2026/6/30 13:16:1, ....winston wrote:

On 06/30/2026 4:03 AM, Mr. Man-wai Chang wrote:

On 6/30/2026 4:53 AM, ....winston wrote:

Look at the file dates then try and use your skills to determine the
reason for being saved(in System32).

Among the files I found, the following four
file names are most interesting. Good
security means leaving PNG files in ...
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32? ;)

SecurityAndMaintenance.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Alert.png
SecurityAndMaintenance_Error.png
WindowsSecurityIcon.png

Missed the hint.
Dates, not names.

Nearly all of the .png files in my C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 (Windows 10 64
bit) are 2019/12/7 9:9. The rest are 2019/12/7 9:10 (four in a
subfolder), 2013/12/4 2:41 (two in a subfolder, two not), and 2025/1/31
13:59 (two).
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Don't play "stupid" with me... I'm better at it.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.18
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)