Files converted to .png after macOS upgrade to Monterey

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Level 1

4 points

Files converted to .png after macOS upgrade to Monterey

On an iMac, following upgrade of macOS to Monterey (12.7.4), many files have been converted to .png image format. This includes .jpg, .docx, .pdf and .xlsx files. Dates on the files have also been changed.

This is apparently a real conversion to .png, not simply a renaming of the files.

Does anyone know if this conversion is by design, or due to a bug, or malware - and is there any way back?

Many thanks for any information, suggestions or advice.

iMac, macOS 10.13

Posted on May 1, 2024 6:58 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Matti Haveri

Level 6

14,700 points

May 1, 2024 8:23 AM in response to rick_sandy

Sounds very weird and AFAIK not a widespread issue.

Where does the png info read, in the file suffixes or as Finder "Kind"? Does Finder have show file name extensions enabled? Can the related apps read files with such issues?

Have you used any 3rd party virus apps (Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Intego, MacAfee, Norton, ESET NOD32, Trusteer etc) and 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up" apps (CleanMyMac, MacKeeper etc). They produce such obscure errors and are not recommended.

An EtreCheck report would eliminate much guesswork:

Using EtreCheck to Troubleshoot Potential… - Apple Community

How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community

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Answer 2

May 1, 2024 11:38 AM in response to rick_sandy

Please follow Matti's advice and post an Etrecheck report.

And, to be absolutely clear, no, it's not by design, and it is not supposed to happen. Files are not be converted without you saying so.

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Answer 3

May 1, 2024 2:54 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I have yet to see how zip containers (.docx, .xlsx) would convert to PNG images as Microsoft doesn't even provide an image save option for these documents. Etrecheck… curious minds await that report. 🧐

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