Today I edited a file from our online document repository without first downloading it. I had just clicked "Open" when IE7 prompted me instead of "Save"... I worked on the document using Office 2007 Powerpoint for a couple of hours, clicked Save and then closed it. Next I tried to find it to re-upload it to the repository. OOOPS! I hadn't done a "Save As..." silly me and my file was GONE! How's that for a Friday night horror story.
But instead of crying... I was tempted, I began to think like a geek (rather than a document-bound architect): This file is SOMEWHERE, I mean the bits were not just in the ether. I looked in the obvious place "Temporary Internet Files" but there was basically nothing there. Suspicious. Googling a bit, I confirmed this -- a shell extension displays a special view which masks the real contents for this folder. Note: This type of hiding is different that the "normal" one which you can easily disable (and probably already have).
How did I find my file you ask? You could disable the shell extension, download special hard drive analysis tools, or the easiest way (Hard drive space permitting):
How to find a file in the hidden internet explorer cache:
1. Go find your temporary internet files: C:\Documents and Settings\userName\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files (parent folder is hidden, so you have to go to your explorer options to view these hidden/system files).
2. Next Copy-Paste the entire folder to somewhere else.
3. After that finally completes, you can browse the contents normally. **Search** for your filename/extension since there is a lot of stuff nested in that folder.
Despite the happy ending, I am really upset that Office actually let me do that. I can't believe that I was allowed to save a file to a spot that I am not allowed to browse. So I'll just say it AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!