Windows 7: Help Program Opening at windows startup - Unknown Reason

Hello All;

A quick backgroud to the issue here;
At windows startup, every single time, the help & support window opens with this error:
"The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn’t included in this version of Windows. However, you can download a program that will allow you to view Help created in the Windows Help format."
So I went and pulled up this document on the Microsoft site (I cannot open Help files that require the Windows Help (WinHlp32.exe) program)

I read through this and downloaded and installed the windows help program to load older version help files.

This resulted in this error at Windows startup: "There was a problem running the macro. (1037)"

The above KB article covers this issue as well, which I proceeded with, doing the registry workaround.

At startup after doing this, a window pops open for a split second, literally a split second, all you see is a blink.

This of course prompted me to un-do the registry fix, as there is no way I'm going to live with an unknown file loading at startup running some macro.


Key point here, this is my business machine, I can't leave this sitting (I'm also the administrator here, so it's my responsibilty to fix) It has never caused any problems, there has never been a virus on this machine nor malware etc.

I'm simply getting really annoyed with this unknown "help file" loading at startup, or trying to I should say, all the time.

I have looked through the web for a considerable amount of time trying to find a solution, to no avail.

I have checked the registry keys for every startup location, reviewed HiJackThis logs, etc and cannot find anything anywhere that would be loading a help file at startup.

If anyone has any ideas it would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

have you looked at msconfig ?

Yeppers. MSCONFIG, user and all user startup folders etc. I can't think of a place I haven't looked.

Have you tried using the Microsoft Autoruns utility? It's like MSCONFIG, but uncovers items that ordinarily are not exposed. So use additional caution should you choose to make use of this utility, as you can cripple the system if you make incorrect adjustments. It exposes parts of the OS that can wreak havoc if adjusted improperly!:

I completely forgot about that app, I have a copy floating around on one of my USB sticks that hold all my utilities, now where has it gone is another question lol.
Thanks for that, I'll go dig around in there tomorrow. I'm in the middle of recoding some automated reports right now. I'll post back tomorrow if I find anything, or a solution.
Thanks again, Cheers!

That is great little program +1 to you my friend


Steve