You are seeing System files created by Word. Some are locking files to stop
other users opening and editing the same document you have open. Other temp
files may be for copy/paste functions. All these temp files should close
when the document or Word is closed.
However, a temp file appearing on the desktop is a little more concerning as
it suggests that you are using the desktop to create/edit/save documents?
This is very bad practice as the desktop is a highly unstable medium to use
for anything important. Use a folder on your hard drive.
--
Terry Farrell - Word MVP
http://www.mvps.org/word/
Each time I use word I get a file on the desktop with the
name ~. Also in my folders there sometimes is a file with
the same name but with a ~ at the front. What's wrong?