alert.filters

I have made some new alerts-and they are running fine-modifying my DataManagement.xml to not compile stats so frequently...i also ran accross alerts.filters
-which only has the original 'Play Sound" alert in it
-does this file not get updated untill a proper shutdown/restart?
-i could have sworn i've restarted opmanager since then-however not 'smooth' shutdowns of the service-just box reboots....yet my alerts still work

so is the alert data stored elseware now?