Understanding Files That Start with 1717940029566

Ever stumbled upon a file named something like 1717940029566_sst on your computer or phone and wondered, “What on earth is this?” You’re not alone. Files with cryptic names can look suspicious, but not all of them are harmful. Some might be system files, others temporary data, and some could even be related to apps you knowingly installed.

This guide will help you understand what such files are, where they originate, and whether you should delete them or leave them alone.

What Are Files Like 1717940029566_sst?

These oddly named files, especially ones that begin with a string of numbers followed by _sst, usually don’t mean much to the average user, but they’re far from random. Typically, these files are auto-generated by software or system processes.

The Structure Behind the Filename

Let’s break it down:

The Number: 1717940029566

This long number is often a Unix timestamp—a method computers use to track time in milliseconds since January 1, 1970. In this case, 1717940029566 translates to a specific date and time (like June 2024), suggesting the file was created at that exact moment.

The Suffix: _sst

The _sst part could mean many things depending on context. In most tech usage:

sst may stand for Snapshot State Table in databases.
It can also mean System State Transfer in some backup or sync tools.
Sometimes, it’s just a random label added by an app’s backend naming scheme.

Where Do These Files Come From?

Such files are usually created by:

Operating system services (like file indexing or caching).
Third-party apps (especially backup, data sync, or cloud tools).
Temporary storage systems.

If you installed apps like Google Drive, Dropbox, or custom backup utilities, they might be the culprits.

Are These Files Safe or Harmful?

Here’s the good news: most of the time, these files are harmless. But—and it’s a big but—strange file names can occasionally be a red flag for malware hiding in plain sight.

How to Determine File Safety

Don’t guess. Instead:

Scan the file with antivirus software. Windows Defender or Malwarebytes are great options.
Upload the file to VirusTotal.com for a multi-antivirus scan.
Right-click and check properties to see what program created it.

Apps Commonly Associated with _SST Files

Here are some apps or systems known to generate similarly named files:

Cloud Sync Tools like OneDrive or Google Backup & Sync
Backup Utilities such as Acronis or EaseUS
Development Tools if you’re running code editors or virtual environments

Could It Be a Cache or Temp File?

Absolutely. Many files like this are just part of:

System cache, which speeds up processes by storing temporary data.
Temp files are created during app operations or installations.

These files usually disappear on their own, but not always.

Should You Delete These Files?

Here’s the golden rule:

If the file is in a temp folder, cache folder, or is older than a few days, and you haven’t noticed any issues, it’s probably safe to delete.
If the file keeps coming back or is located in a core system folder, be cautious.

How to Safely Remove Suspicious Files

If you’re sure it’s safe, here’s how to go about it:

Create a backup of your system or the file.
Use Disk Cleanup (Windows) or a cleanup app (Mac/CleanMyMac).
Delete manually, but only after verifying the source.

How to Prevent Unwanted File Creation

You can’t always stop your system from doing its job, but you can:

Limit background processes using Task Manager or Activity Monitor.
Uninstall unused apps.
Adjust app settings to avoid constant syncing or backups.

Tools to Identify and Analyze Strange Files

Here are some handy tools for the curious minds:

Process Monitor (Sysinternals) – See what’s writing files in real time.
Everything Search Tool – Track file origins fast.
FileAlyzer or TrID – Get detailed info on file type and origin.

Real User Experiences

In forums like Reddit or Stack Overflow, users have noted:

These files often appear after OS updates.
They show up in AppData or tmp folders.
Developers using virtual machines or emulators often report similar file names.

Pattern? Most of them were harmless.

Best Practices for File Management

Run regular scans.
Clean out your temp folders monthly.
Use file monitoring tools to get alerts for unknown files.

A bit of maintenance goes a long way in keeping your system clutter-free.

When to Seek Professional Help

Call in the pros if:

The file regenerates after deletion.
Your device starts acting slowly or suspiciously.
You find other similarly named files multiplying like digital rabbits.

Better safe than sorry, right?

FAQs

What is the 1717940029566 number in the file name?

It’s most likely a timestamp, indicating the exact moment the file was created.

Can I delete a file named 1717940029566_sst?

If it’s not in a system-critical folder and your antivirus scan gives it the green light—yes, it should be safe.

Why do apps create files with names like this?

Apps often use automated naming conventions that include timestamps and codes to avoid conflicts.

Are files with _sst linked to malware?

Not usually. But if you’re unsure, scan it to be safe.

How do I know which app created the file?

Right-click the file > Properties > Look for the ‘Owner’ or ‘Created by’ metadata. Tools like Process Monitor can also help.

Conclusion

To sum it up: files like 1717940029566_sst might look scary, but they’re usually just mundane byproducts of background tasks, cache files, or sync operations. Still, it’s always wise to investigate any mystery file, especially if it wasn’t there yesterday.

Stay curious, stay secure—and don’t be afraid to dig a little deeper when your device does something weird. After all, it’s your digital home.