Not able to change desktop background


  1. Posts : 28
    win 7 64
       #1

    Not able to change desktop background


    I have a user with a Windows 7 64 bit machine on our domain. A few days ago he recieved a nasty malware virus and we removed it with our virus tools. However, his desktop is not the way it use to be before the malware. The obvious problem being his desktop background is black and it does not change. When I try to change it in control panel to Architecture or Landscapes, nothing happens, just the color of the taskbar changes. Also, Ive noticed that his "Accessories" folder is missing.

    I tried adjusting settings in the Ease of Access section, but still does not work.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 357
    Windows 7 Home Pre
       #2

    Open CMD with Admin rights and do a SFC can.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 640
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
       #3

    Welcome to Seven Forums.

    I'd try Unhide first since you said it happened from a "nasty malware virus".
    Unhide.exe is a program that will revert many of the changes on your computer caused by the FakeHDD family of rogue anti-spyware programs. This family of rogues pretends to be a system optimization program that will solve errors with your computer’s hard disks, memory, and performance. It will also display fake alerts stating that your computer has numerous computer issues and prompt you to purchase the program in order to resolve these issues.

    Unhide.exe - A introduction as to what this program does
    Other fixes here:
    Accessories Folder Missing from Start Menu - Microsoft Answers
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,036
    Winbdows 7 ultimate x64 | Ubuntu 12.04 x64 LTS
       #4

    WonderBot said:
    I have a user with a Windows 7 64 bit machine on our domain. A few days ago he recieved a nasty malware virus and we removed it with our virus tools. However, his desktop is not the way it use to be before the malware. The obvious problem being his desktop background is black and it does not change. When I try to change it in control panel to Architecture or Landscapes, nothing happens, just the color of the taskbar changes. Also, Ive noticed that his "Accessories" folder is missing.

    I tried adjusting settings in the Ease of Access section, but still does not work.
    These kind of problems are generally caused by some 'bad' registry keys and/or group policy settings often used by these nasties.. Its possible that there could be some remnant left causing the problem.
    I'd like you to run a full scan with Malwarebytes and post the results here as its quite good at detecting and removing these.
    Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware, anti-virus and spyware removal download
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 28
    win 7 64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    EzioAuditore said:
    WonderBot said:
    I have a user with a Windows 7 64 bit machine on our domain. A few days ago he recieved a nasty malware virus and we removed it with our virus tools. However, his desktop is not the way it use to be before the malware. The obvious problem being his desktop background is black and it does not change. When I try to change it in control panel to Architecture or Landscapes, nothing happens, just the color of the taskbar changes. Also, Ive noticed that his "Accessories" folder is missing.

    I tried adjusting settings in the Ease of Access section, but still does not work.
    These kind of problems are generally caused by some 'bad' registry keys and/or group policy settings often used by these nasties.. Its possible that there could be some remnant left causing the problem.
    I'd like you to run a full scan with Malwarebytes and post the results here as its quite good at detecting and removing these.
    Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware, anti-virus and spyware removal download
    Already tried Malwarebytes, and it detected nothing. Then ran a scan with Trend Micro and it found a few issues.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 28
    win 7 64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Fixed it!!!

    I went to C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft and then right-click on the Windows folder, then click Properties. Uncheck the Hidden box and then click Apply and then close.

    This brought the accessories folder back, and the desktop backgrounds now show. I'm still not sure how the hell that happened, dam malwares!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 28
    win 7 64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    the SFC scan found nothing, but thank you for that tip.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,533
    Windows 7 Professional x64 Service Pack 1
       #8

    WonderBot said:
    the SFC scan found nothing, but thank you for that tip.
    What antivirus are you using. You may want to switch if it let that malware throught and didn't do anything. Or, I recommend you keep malwarebytes on your systems and run a scan with it about once a month, more often if you would like.
      My Computer


 

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