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"How do you want to open this file" popup appears at random.

Anonymous
2020-04-07T11:53:23+00:00

On Windows 10, there's an annoying popup that appears at random asking how I want to open a file. It will present a list of programs, but when I select a program to open, the program says it cannot open the file. I've seen this thing appearing and it does so independently of any programs opening or closing. It will appear in the middle of defragging, it will appear in the middle of doing a 3D render in Daz Studio, it will appear if I leave the system idle...you get the picture.

I've tried to open Task Manager with the popup in place to see which programs could be prompting its appearance, but when I click on Task Manager, the popup disappears.

Today, though, I told the popup to open the mystery file with Notepad.

For whatever reason, something is trying to open C:\Program. I can't tell if it's actually trying to open a folder or file with that name or if it's trying to open Program Files or Program Files (x86).

Numerous runs through with Avast, Malwarebytes, and the Malicious Software Removal Tool have gotten me nowhere. This installation of Windows 10 is two months old following a hard drive failure. My programs were installed from scanned and presumably clean installers I've had backed up from earlier, and this problem hasn't appeared in the previous install of Windows 10, so I'm all kinds of confused. What the hey?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-04-07T11:56:34+00:00

    Hello,

    I'm your Independent Advisor for today. I know this can be frustrating, but don't worry. I'm here to figure this out for you.

    Please start the PC in a clean boot state to check if there are other background apps which might be causing the issue:

    1. Right-click the Windows button > Select Run
    2. Type in "msconfig" without the quotes, then click OK.
    3. On the General tab, select Selective Startup. Then untick "Load startup items".
    4. On the Services tab, click "Hide all Microsoft services".
    5. Click "Disable all".
    6. On the Startup tab, click "Open Task Manager". A Task Manager window should open.
    7. Disable all startup items. You can also choose which startup items to disable, as certain devices might now work properly if the startup item related to it is disabled.
    8. Go back to your System Configuration window.
    9. Click Apply > OK
    10. Click "Restart" when prompted.

    Once the PC goes back up, check if it will resolve the issue.

    Please reply whatever the results.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-04-08T11:03:00+00:00

    The popup appeared again. This time it was trying to open C:\Program.txt (but I did try to open it with Notepad to see what the result would be.)

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-04-09T23:14:25+00:00

    Okay. Have you tried any of the steps above? It would really help if you did the above.

    If you already have, kindly take a screenshot of the Startup tab in Task Manager so I can see which apps run at boot.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-04-08T11:46:58+00:00

    Alright. Is it possible for you to go to safe mode with networking and check if you the message pops up?

    You can also clean up your PC with the steps below:

    1. Follow the steps here to boot in a clean boot state to disable non-Microsoft apps running at startup:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135...

    1. Run an anti-rootkit scanner. I personally use TDSSKiller from Kaspersky:

    https://usa.kaspersky.com/downloads/tdsskiller

    1. Run your antivirus software. If possible, start a thorough scan. I personally use ESET Online Scanner, but you can use what you have:

    https://www.eset.com/us/home/online-scanner/

    1. Reset your browser. Kindly check the settings of your browser to reset it to defaults.
    2. Uninstall apps you no longer need or suspicious apps by following these steps:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/help/402805...

    1. Install Windows Updates. Updates keep your PC secure and up-to-date.

    Kindly check if the problems persist after doing the above.

    Hope this helps.

    Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-04-09T20:51:23+00:00

    There is a new twist going on: when I booted up today, a warning appeared that there is a file named "C:\Program.text" that might make some programs run incorrectly and I was offered the chance to rename it to avoid that problem. Since this is somewhat suspicious and my programs have been running as expected, I clicked "ignore."

    Malwarebytes, Avast, and TDSSKiller show nothing unusual.

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