Why does a copy and paste of a JPEG image create a dot files folder?

Question

When I copy a JPG image from any source and paste it to any destination on my computer, a hidden folder automatically appears next to that image with the same name followed by "dot files".

Is there anything I can do to stop this from happening?

I'm using a Sony Vaio with Windows Vista.

Answer 1

Sounds like Vaio has a content analyzer which is toying with the images as they're pasted in.

Found this solution at Microsoft Answers:

Problem is with vaio content analyzer software that comes along with vaio.

Just search for the Vaio content analyzer (settings) and unmark

• video analysis
• picture analysis
• music analysis

Answer 2

I believe there's some copy handler installed either by a virus or by some explorer extension...