How to stop Windows security from blocking my programs?

user123 · 18 Mar 2011

Hello,
I am using window 7 pro. with MS office 10 and other non Microsoft programs. On Monday while I was updating my iPhone OS using ITunes, ITunes gave me an error message stating that it lost connection with my iPhone. I rebooted the Laptop and too many problems started to pop up since then. For starters, my iPhone was wiped out, where the only way to restore it was by going to the Apple store. Now, ITunes gives me Error 50?! The Apple Store tech avers that ITunes has nothing to do with the problem.

Since then, the majority of my programs are not working those that run require my permission to execute including Windows components such as control panel, security, uninstall, program install, etc.

Excel and MS Word are working, but Outlook, Outlook safe mode, OneNote, ITunes, Skype, Adobe, windows troubleshoot, McAfee, Chrome, etc. are not working. They all missing important files or give me an error message.

In contrast, I created a new user account without Administrative right. I can run all programs without any problems using this account, except for having to reconfigure everything all over again and having to provide an administrator's permission virtually after every click.

I ran chkdsk, desk defragment and McAfee scans from the new user's account and all ran flawlessly and reported that my system is clean with no virus or bad sectors. I have 180 GB of free space.

Note: I broke the screen on my lap top, and I used the HD in an exterior HD shell to retrieve some files while I was waiting on my LCD replacement. I had no issues before hand. The ITunes problem started after I reinstalled the HD in the Laptop.

Thanks,

Maguscreed · 18 Mar 2011

I have seen serious issues like this regarding the use of McAfee with specific hardware/software combinations, and windows 7.
It's common enough that I would call it a known problem.
My suggestion to you is to wipe McAfee and replace it with MSE for the time being to see if that helps to resolve your issue.
MSE is free and made by microsoft, making the likelihood of conflict much lower even if it's not as robust a protection scheme as McAfee.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ <-- link

If you want a bit more explanation why I think this is the issue.
I believe mcafee has decided to block either itunes or some of the elements of itunes, along with the other applications. It's conceivably possible its blocking core windows services. I would actually suggest running a file check on the system after removing it to make sure there has been no damage to the core windows files.
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

One problem with mcafee is it can't determine when it's the problem.

unifex · 18 Mar 2011

user123 said:

In contrast, I created a new user account without Administrative right. I can run all programs without any problems using this account, except for having to reconfigure everything all over again and having to provide an administrator's permission virtually after every click.

OK, so if things are working on the new account, then this means that your system is more or less healthy. Here's what I would do:

0. Disconnect from the Internet. Physically.

1. Boot into the safe mode and login to you new administrator account.

2. Get rid of McAffey, get rid of iTunes, get rid of your old account (just copy the files you want to keep to some safe location).

3. Run SFC /scannow as already suggested.

4. If everything is OK , reboot normally to your "new" account.

It is quite natural that the new account does not know of any customizations you made in your old account. So go ahead and try to apply the same settings to your programs, if only to make sure that they actually work.

Now if everything is working and you absolutely want iTunes on - personally I hate the thing, but since we have iPods and iPads in the family I actually keep a separate OS to use iTunes keeping it away from my work machine. While adding a special OS would actually be excessive (for me it just happened this way) I do recommend creating a separate user account and then installing iTunes for this user only, not for all users.

Once everything is working install an antivirus. I personally do not have any idea about McAffee, never used it. I am not particularly impressed by MSE, have it on an older laptop, but I'm keeping it only because I don't want to spend money on that older machine. On my main machine I use ESET and I'm very happy with it, but you have to pay a bit.

user123 · 19 Mar 2011

I ran desk SFC /SCANNOW - System File Checker, no problems. I like to be able to move my Documents and AppData including passwords to the new profile. This is important since I did not keep track of none-vital accounts website url's, user Id's and Passwords. Also, I spent a lot of time personalizing and tweaking my applications. Much of was based on hours upon hours of internet tips that I did not see the need to save. While I understand that Windows "Easy" Transfer does not support profile transfers within the same computer, there must be a way to do so.

I received suggestions to replace McAfee with Microsoft Security Essentials. I have been using McAfee for 6 years on all of my computers and for 9 months on this Lap Top without any problems. If you are one of those who dislike McAfee, can you help understand the advantage of MSSE over McAfee?