How do I reset Windows 7 after installing and playing COD 2 ?

I recently installed COD 2 on my new computer, running windows 7 premium 64 bit. It worked fine. When I exited I had problems launching my google chrome and explorer 7 browser. They stayed small or shot off screen during launch.

I don't know how to reverse what I did to get the game to work so I ended up having to reinstall windows 7 which was a mistake since it wiped out my files and I know there is a better way.

Thanks for any help.

Do you want to get your computer back to how it was before the re-install? If so, you can't. Unfortunately, after you install a fresh version of Windows your files are unrecoverable.

However,you may be able to fine a folder in your C: drive called Windows.old. If you can, you should be able to restore your files and settings using the below tutorial.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/16282-windows-old-folder-restore-into-new-installation.html

No, I don't want to recover the old files. I'd like to play the game. I'm curious as to how to return my windows 7 back to normal after running it in compatibility mode. Thanks.

I'm not sure what you mean. As far as I know, you can simply run the game in compatibility mode and when you exit, Windows should be as it should be.

Yeah, compatibility mode doesn't actually change anything within windows other than how it "talks" to the game.

I have cod2 installed on 3 of my computers and no issues at all.

System restore should always be your first port of call to get things right after an issue. The very last thing I do I stick in the windows cd and start again.

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I ran it as an administrator and when I exited the game I had this problem launching my browser, it would remain as a small screen at the bottom of the screen or zip off screen when I clicked on it.

Next time I load the game I learned I need to click on properties and run it in compatibility mode. Thanks for the responses.

If my memory serves me right, COD2 works perfectly on Win7 without any compatibility BS. Last time I played it I didn't need any of the sorts.

Perhaps the resolution of the game impacted the windows size of your browsers or something. There couldn't have been anything that serious to screw up Windows so you'd have to reinstall it completely. That's what Trayarch's games are for, not Infinity Ward's CODs xD