Share via

Most of the programs installed on windows 7 have disappeared and i can't run them / find them

Anonymous
2010-10-10T20:45:00+00:00

Hi

I have windows home premium (x64) on my laptop and have installed programs such as chrome, picasa, itunes, photshop elements 8.  There is only one user set up (admin) but i now can't see any of these programs.

Also the links to my libraries don't work, taking me to different locations.

If i search i can find the files all present (i think) but i can't run any of the programs.  Help!

thanks

Gordon

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Apps

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

4 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-10-13T20:02:52+00:00

    Hello GordonMacD,

    Have you scanned recently for Malware? It sounds like a virus may be causing your programs to disappear. I suggest you run one or more antivirus to see if you have any viruses that

    could be causing your problem.

    If you don 't have antivirus installed, then I suggest you install one. Microsoft Security Essentials is a good antivirus and it is free.

    Clickhere to download the most current version of Security Essentials.

    Have your run any registry cleaners? They could also be the cause of problems with programs disappearing.

    If your programs are gone, the only way to get them back is to reinstall them.

    Please reply back with an update.

    Sincerely,

    Marilyn

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-10-20T15:25:43+00:00

    Hi

    I had McAfee installed on the computer put this was also 'removed' - reinstalled and ran a full scan and it found nothing.  Also ran the microsoft malware software that found nothing wrong.

    It's a HP laptop that has come with alot of software pre-installed, i restored the factory settings yesterday and removed as much of their software as possible to see it it helps.  Will check the programs over the next week to see what happens.

    Gordon

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-10-11T09:30:32+00:00

    Hi Ramesh

    Thanks for responding

    The problem first happened in June 2010, i lost google chrome and couldn't reinstall.  I noticed it again yesterday and used system restore to rollback until the earliest saved date - 18th Sept.  It hasn't fixed the issue.

    I basically lose the applications - for example i can see the itunes folder and it contain files but not the itunes.exe

    I have to reinstall the software to get it to work.  This has also happened to adobe photoshop 8, chrome and a number of games. There is another thread on this forum that seems to be the same issue ( http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7programs/thread/2ced8946-4955-4b8d-b0ba-248089b7e199 )

    sadly there is no solution posted yet!

    thanks

    0 comments
  4. Ramesh 176.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2010-10-11T05:44:56+00:00

    Hi Gordon,

    When was this problem first seen, and what were the recent configuration changes? See if running a System Restore rollback to an earlier date helps.

    System Restore - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/system-restore

    Ramesh Srinivasan | The Winhelponline Blog

    Microsoft MVP, Windows Desktop Experience

    0 comments