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Format

Microsoft Office Owner File

Summary

Name
Microsoft Office Owner File
Identifiers
PUID: fmt/473
Format type
Page Description
Description
When a previously saved Word document is opened for editing, for printing, or for review, Word creates a temporary file that has a .doc file name extension. This file name extension begins with a tilde (~) that is followed by a dollar sign ($) that is followed by the remainder of the original file name. This temporary file holds the logon name of person who opens the file. This temporary file is called the "owner file."
File extensions
doc, docx
Source
Digital Preservation Department / The National Archives
Developed by
Microsoft Corporation
Supported by
Microsoft Corporation

Relationships

Has lower priority than

Internal signatures

MS Owner file v1

Note
1st byte is within the range of 06 to 0F. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
06{52}000600
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v2

Note
1st byte is within the range of 06 to 0F. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
07{52}000700
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v3

Note
1st byte is within the range of 06 to 0F. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
08{52}000800
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v4

Note
1st byte is within the range of 06 to 0F. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
09{52}000900
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v5

Note
1st byte is within the range of 06 to 0F. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
0A{52}000A00
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v6

Note
1st byte is within the range of 06 to 0F. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
0B{52}000B00
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v7

Note
1st byte is within the range of 06 to 0F. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
0C{52}000C00
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v8

Note
1st byte is within the range of 06 to 0F. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
0D{52}000D00
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v9

Note
1st byte is within the range of 06 to 0F. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
0E{52}000E00
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v10

Note
1st byte is within the range of 06 to 0F. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
0F{52}000F00
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v11

Note
1st byte is within the range of 01 to 0F, or 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
0
Byte Sequence
01{52}000100
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v12

Note
1st byte is within the range of 01 to 0F, or 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
0
Byte Sequence
02{52}000200
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v13

Note
1st byte is within the range of 01 to 0F, or 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
0
Byte Sequence
03{52}000300
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v14

Note
1st byte is within the range of 01 to 0F, or 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
0
Byte Sequence
04{52}000400
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v15

Note
1st byte is within the range of 01 to 0F, or 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
0
Byte Sequence
05{52}000500
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v16

Note
1st byte is within the range of 01 to 0F, or 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
0
Byte Sequence
14{52}001400
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v17

Note
1st byte is within the hex range of 01 to 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
0
Byte Sequence
10{52}001000
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v18

Note
1st byte is within the hex range of 01 to 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
0
Byte Sequence
11{52}001100
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v19

Note
1st byte is within the hex range of 01 to 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
0
Byte Sequence
12{52}001200
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v20

Note
1st byte is within the hex range of 01 to 14. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
0
Byte Sequence
13{52}001300
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v21

Note
1st byte is within the hex range of 01 to 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00.

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
15{52}001500
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v22

Note
1st byte is within the hex range of 01 to 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00.

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
16{52}001600
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v23

Note
1st byte is within the hex range of 01 to 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00.

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
17{52}001700
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v24

Note
1st byte is within the hex range of 01 to 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00.

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
18{52}001800
Endianness
None

MS Owner file v25

Note
1st byte is within the hex range of 01 to 19. Next bytes are name of registered user. 55th byte is identical to 1st. 56th byte is 00.

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
19{52}001900
Endianness
None

Changelog

  • Added in V106

    Release date
    4 July 2022

    Microsoft Office Owner File: Five additional signatures identified in line with the patterns already shown but expanded to allow for a bigger hex range. Submitted by Digital Preservation Department, The National Archives (UK).

    Microsoft Office Owner File: Signature researched and samples provided by Digital Preservation Department, The National Archives (UK).

  • Updated in V97

    Release date
    1 October 2020

    Microsoft Office Owner File: Inclusion of docx as an external signature. Submitted by Nationaal Archief, the National Archives of the Netherlands.

  • Added in V83

    Release date
    17 December 2015

    Microsoft Office Owner File: Added further signature variants found internally and by Archives New Zealand.

  • Added in V68

    Release date
    1 May 2013

    Microsoft Office Owner File: Added further signature variants through PRONOM Research.

  • Added in V65

    Release date
    25 October 2012

    Microsoft Office Owner File: Signature developed through PRONOM Research.

    Microsoft Office Owner File: Outline Entry Added.