Windows 7: Cookie request after using a cleaner even though cookies set to accept

I downloaded and installed several registry cleaners - wise, 360 and slim. Used them for a few days and then uninstalled them. Now whenever I open an internet browser and go on certain sites i.e. BBC I am asked to accept cookies. I do not get the message again unless I clean my system using CCleaner or the browsers own cleaner. This happens in ie9 and chrome and at any site which makes cookie requests. It is annoying as I like to clean the history regularly. I fear that one of the registry cleaners I used affected some registry keys. I have tried changing all the security settings in chrome and ie and they are set to accept 1st and 3rd party cookies. I have also tried editing some registry keys to no effect. I do not have a restore point. Any suggestions gratefully received. James

Hello James and welcome to Seven Forums.

Many Forum members avoid registry cleaners like the plague. It's not a question of if they'll cause problems but when. If you have a system restore point that goes back to a date/time prior to when the problems began you could ty that.

System Restore

If that doesn't help or if you don't have a restore point, you could try running a System File Checker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two, this tutorial.) If any problems are found run the scan 3 times rebooting in between each scan.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Please post back if any of this helps or not.

Hello marsmimar

Thank you for your reply but unfortunately sfc did not find anything and I do not have a restore point old enough.

Since SFC didn't find anything and you don't have a restore point going back far enough, I'd suggest you try a Repair Install. It should fix your installed version of Windows 7 while preserving your user accounts, data, programs, system drivers, etc. You'll need either a retail OEM installation disk (not a manufacturer's restore or recovery type disk), or a retail full or upgrade installation disk. The repair install must be done from within Windows, not at boot or in safe mode. There are several other warnings but this tutorial should walk you through it.

Repair Install

I decided to install windows 7 again on a spare partition and the problem still exists. A little research and I have discovered it is a new European Union directive. Here is a link to an article in a U.K newspaper for anyone with the same problem or interested. Websites were supposed to implement this request by 26th May 2012.

Internet cookie crunch on the way for online shoppers | Money | The Guardian

I've wasted loads of time on this. You'd think there would be a bit more publicity. I guess I'll just have to stop deleting cookies.

Thanks for your help.

James, I'm glad you got this solved. Cookies. Who'da thunk.