What is a .USERTILE-MS file?
The .USERTILE-MS file is a special kind of file that was used in the early versions of Windows 8, specifically in the developer preview and release preview stages. This file type was created to store the image that represents a user on the Windows 8 Start screen, which is also known as the "user tile." This could be a default image provided by Windows or a personal photo that the user has chosen, possibly taken with the computer's webcam.
However, when Windows 8 was officially released, Microsoft changed the format for storing these user images to a new type called .ACCOUNTPICTURE-MS, replacing the .USERTILE-MS files. Despite this change, understanding .USERTILE-MS files can still be useful, especially for those working with or exploring the earlier versions of Windows 8.
To find these .USERTILE-MS files on a computer, you would typically go to the "C:\Users\[user]\User Tiles\" directory. It's important to note that these files are saved in a special format that is unique to Microsoft, meaning you can't just open them with any regular image viewer software. Instead, they are meant to be managed and viewed through the Windows operating system itself.
In summary, if you're using an early version of Windows 8 and you see a .USERTILE-MS file, it's essentially the file that contains the image you see as your account picture or "user tile" on the Start screen. To open or change this image, you would use the options provided within the Windows operating system, as there aren't standard programs outside of Windows designed to open this specific file type.
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