What is this file? Found in System32 folder


Anixx

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Code:
/*++ BUILD Version: 0001    // Increment this if a change has global effects

Copyright (c) 1992  Microsoft Corporation

Module Name:

    rasctrnm.h

Abstract:

    This file defines the ras symbols used in the rasctrs.ini file for
    loading the counters to registry. 

Created:

    Thomas J. Dimitri            28 May 93

Revision History

    Ram Cherala                 04 Nov 93   Added this header 


--*/
//
//  rasctrnm.h
//
//  Offset definition file for exensible counter objects and counters
//
//  These "relative" offsets must start at 0 and be multiples of 2 (i.e.
//  even numbers). In the Open Procedure, they will be added to the
//  "First Counter" and "First Help" values fo the device they belong to,
//  in order to determine the  absolute location of the counter and
//  object names and corresponding help text in the registry.
//
//  this file is used by the extensible counter DLL code as well as the
//  counter name and help text definition file (.INI) file that is used
//  by LODCTR to load the names into the registry.
//


#define RASPORTOBJ         0


//
// The following constants are good for both Total and individual port.
//

#define BYTESTX            2
#define BYTESRX            4

#define FRAMESTX        6
#define FRAMESRX        8

#define PERCENTTXC        10
#define PERCENTRXC        12

#define CRCERRORS        14
#define TIMEOUTERRORS            16
#define SERIALOVERRUNS            18
#define ALIGNMENTERRORS            20
#define BUFFEROVERRUNS            22

#define TOTALERRORS        24

#define BYTESTXSEC         26
#define BYTESRXSEC         28

#define FRAMESTXSEC        30
#define FRAMESRXSEC        32

#define TOTALERRORSSEC          34


//
// The following constants are good only for Total.
//

#define RASTOTALOBJ             36

#define TOTALCONNECTIONS        38
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
rasctrnm.h, dated 5/6/2022, has been in my System32 folder since I bought this HP computer new with Win11 Home on Dec. 5, 2023.
 

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    Win11 Pro RTM
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    Dell Vostro 3400
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    Windows 11 Home 24H2 26100.3775
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    AMD Ryzen 3 5300G
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    Avira
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    Updated Windows 10 to 11 24H2 26100.3624
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    HP
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    Intel Core i3 8100 @3.60 GHz
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    HP 8653 (U3E1)
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    Realtek High Def
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I can't see any reason for a C /C++ header file to be in the System32 folder. Such files are used at compile time, so it seems like a mistake for that file to be left there. Anyhow, it's tiny, harmless, and comes with Windows, so there's no need to worry about it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
It is not really a "file" in the traditional sense of the word. Rather, it is a hardlink with a reference count of 2, and its 2nd reference points to a subfolder of the WinSxS folder (i.e., C:\Windows\WinSxS). In system folders, hardlinks are very common. (To be able to see the difference between files and hardlinks, and to be able to see the difference between folders, junctions and symbolic links, I recommend LinkShellExtension.) If you also use Everything, you can type c:\windows\inf *.h in its search bar and immediately you will see that there's a small bunch of similar offset definition "files" inhabiting the place. Then when you right-click on a hardlink in Everything's search results and you choose Properties, you will see that there's a Link Properties tab there. This tab only appears if you have LinkShellExtension installed, and, this tab doesn't appear for regular files/folders.

That being said, there exist 3 identical copies of this rasctrnm.h hardlink (one in C:\Windows\System32, one in C:\Windows\SysWOW64, one in C:\Windows\INF\RemoteAccess). The 2nd reference of each points to a different subfolder of the WinSxS folder. RemoteAccess is the drivername of the Remote Access Service (RAS). As you can tell from the description part of the content that you posted, the lodctr.exe tool also uses it. (On Windows 11, lodctr.exe is a hardlink in C:\Windows\System32 and another one in C:\Windows\SysWOW64, and, the 2nd reference of each also points to a different subfolder of the WinSxS folder.)

You probably never know what programs you might use that might depend on it so, my advice is to leave it alone, to avoid the potential risk of breaking some program or feature that uses Performance Counters for whatever reason.
 

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  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
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    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
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    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
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    37TB external
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    Li-ion
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    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
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    Logitech K800
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    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF

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