Windows 7: Suddenly can't open any images (jpg/bmp/png/etc)

Hopefully someone can help!

I've tried researching this problem on my own, but it seems like I'm apprently a unique case, due to the size of the issue.

I noticed 2 nights ago that upon logging into my computer that my profile picture was "gone" the "frame" was still there, but it had no picture. I didn't think anything of it and just ignored it.

Late last night I went to open a picture that was on my desktop and received an error stating that windows photo veiwer cannot open this file due to it being damaged, corrupted or too large.

Hmm, thats odd, but alright.

I then proceeded to realize that literally every single image file on my computer displayed the same error message.

I have tried opening the images in paint and gimp just to confirm it wasn't some odd windows photo viewer issue, no go on those programs either. I then took a random image and emailed it to myself to view with gmail and all I got was a nice red "X".

Other files and programs open just fine. Including text documents and misc file types.

I simply cannot beleive that every single one of my pictures that are all stored in different folders and areas have suddenly been destroyed. I can varify that atleast a few of them opened last week.

Any ideas?

Thank you in advance for your time and suggestions!

Hello McCloud, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you like, you could do a system restore using a restore point (if available) dated before this started to hopefully undo and fix this.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

I'ma gonna upload a random image of mine, it's one of Windows Vista's user account pictures.
See if you can open it.

Thanks!

I *beleive* that any picture I save to my system currently will open. But I can't confirm this as im not home at the moment.

I will let you know if I can as soon as possible.

Saved the picture to desktop and I can indeed open it.

Sorry to triple post.

I don't have any system restore points to go back too :/

Hm...
Please try using the Unhide program at Unhide Download and see if it helps. I doubt that it will, but please try.
After that, please tell me if your problem is resolved. If not, please run a Malwarebytes scan.

Oh, P.S., I'm not a real computer expert, just a geeky person trying to help

It's all good injust, I appreciate the help. I'm currently running a malwarebytes scan atm. The pictures aren't actually "gone" they just don't open correctly :/

Please try using the Unhide program, too.
Some ransomware programs will "corrupt" all your files, and make you pay money to get them back. But some of them just hide the files

Well I ran malwarebytes and it actually found quite a few trojans and exploits, removed and still no go on the image files.

the unhide program is currently running.