Weird: Whenever I view any file properties, it tries to install thing!

Thenin · 08 Apr 2014

Every single time I view any file's properties (context-menu right-click -> Properties), it always immediately launches an installation of an already-installed (but disabled) application! As Betty Jo Bialosky so famously asked: Whaaat?

I'm running 64-bit Windows 7 Pro/SP1. The app it keeps trying to install is MacDrive 8, but I think that may be more incidental than anything else. I say that because I experienced the exact same thing perhaps 5-7 years ago under 32-bit XP Pro/SP3, except it tried to install something else (I can't recall what). Although MacDrive 8 is already installed, I almost never use it, and so I've disabled all the services and all other startup stuff related to MacDrive using my startup manager. So the puzzling fact that Win 7 is so desperate to install MacDrive again is truly weird, and extremely annoying!

It usually takes three attempts to cancel the unwanted installation, after which the file's property window comes up normally.

I've thoroughly scanned for malware, and found none. Also, I've some reliable registry check and repair tools: Iolo's System Mechanic's Registry Tuner, and Wise Registry Cleaner. Afterwards, no registry errors were reported at all.

What the heck is going on? What bizarre connection is there between viewing a file's properties and a forced install of anything?

Ztruker · 08 Apr 2014

Uninstall Mac Drive 8. See if that fixes the problem. If yes, install the latest version and see what happens if you still want to use it.

andrew129260 · 08 Apr 2014

Thenin said:

Also, I've some reliable registry check and repair tools: Iolo's System Mechanic's Registry Tuner, and Wise Registry Cleaner. Afterwards, no registry errors were reported at all.

That is your problem right there. Do not use these programs. They break more things then they "fix". See if you can undo the operations they performed, and then uninstall them.

1.) Try this:
This will scan your windows files and makes sure everything is the way it should be.
Use option 2 and tell me your findings:

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

2.) I know you said you have ran your system for malware and scanned it. But can you try this utility and let me know if it finds anything?

Download the portable version form this site and let is scan your system:

http://www.herdprotect.com/downloads.aspx

Do not remove anything, but please report what files the tool finds and what it marks as suspicious. If possible include a screenshot. Thank you.

vjtk · 01 Dec 2015

I had a similar issue (except I had already uninstalled macdrive) and was told by Mediafour to reinstall the version I had removed, then uninstall that. I installed, got an error, but the program still showed on programs list. Before uninstalling it I confirmed that the contextual menu problem had been solved, no more installer popups. Then I uninstalled the program and bam! problem came back. I then reinstalled and got the same error, but program shows in program list. Since the problem is effectively solved with Macdrive installed (incorrectly?), I've decided to let it just stay installed. Is that a solution? not really, but no more popups.