Windows 10: What is xmetavip2? Mystery folder on my system

Searching for a missing MSG file on my Win 11 system I found a folder "Xmetavip2" dated 9 January containing a detailed Python installation, plus a ZIP file I don't recall requesting. There's also a PW.EXE file. The associated library contains MSG files which is the only reason I found it. Defender says there are no threats, but I can find no mention of the app online, there's no information I can see in any of the file properties, and a 9a.bat file contains a LOT of Chinese characters. The zip file 38MB is view-only here for a month if anyone wants to take a look. It expands to 100MB.

:)

 

Mysterious Folder

I am pleased to report that I was finally able to move the mysterious Search folder back to its default location! The folder fought me tooth and nail and was extremely reluctant to move. I wish I could report to you an exact process that I used, but I attempted and reattempted so many processes that I can not lay them out exactly. I can say that the largest contributing factor to my success was understanding and executing a proper stop of the Windows Search process. Initially, Windows kept restarting it automatically without me realizing it, and thus prohibited me from being able to move the folder. Once I got the process stopped, I repeated multiple steps to successfully move the folder.

After I moved the folder, I opened command prompt as an administrator, and run sfc /scannow one time, which returned the message "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations." I have also executed a search within my Purchase Receipts folder and the results were both successful and speedy. And lastly, I have restarted my computer several times and the mysterious Search folder is staying put in the default location. I feel very good so far that my issue is solved!

Thank you Greg for staying with me and continuing to help me. I could not have achieved this without your help!

 

Custom Folder view for new folders registery hack ?

Te new folder has default view of LIST

I want DETAILS

When making new system ... it's a pain in ass changing always.

 

Mysterious Folder

So Greg, in the article at What is the Windows.edb file in Windows 11/10

that you gave me, it says that the windows.ebd file should be located at C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\windows.ebd. When I try to follow that file path, I find that I don't have a Search folder at C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\. Doesn't it stand to reason then that this is where my mysterious Search folder used to be? And can I just relocate the entire mysterious Search folder to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\ to solve my problem? Furthermore, I don't see a need to delete the windows.ebd file, do you?