Programs don't install until I open Task Manager


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 64 bit
       #1

    Programs don't install until I open Task Manager


    Windows 7 64 bit on a Dell Inspiron.

    Not a major problem -- more of a minor irritation and an "I wonder if anyone else has struck this...?"

    Whenever installing a program lately (can't remember how long -- I've been ignoring it for a while), Windows doesn't respond when I click the .exe installer file.
    But as soon as I hit Ctrl - Alt - Del and open the Task Manager, Windows suddenly wakes up and installs the program without a hitch. I don't have to do anything in Task Manager; simply opening it is enough. Also, the computer hasn't crashed in this state. If I want to open another already-installed program and use it, I can without any problems. It's just that it completely ignores my command to run the .exe file until I threaten it with Task Manager.

    The first couple of times, before I thought of opening Task Manager, I'd double click the .exe file several thousand times, as you do, wondering why it wasn't doing anything. Then, when I opened the Task Manager, it'd try to install the program several thousand times.
    Now I know to simply double click the .exe file, then hit Ctrl - Alt - Del, and voila, the program is installed.

    What I want to know is, why doesn't Windows install the program in the first place?

    FYI, the programs I was having trouble with were (from memory) Dropbox, Skype, memoQ (translation memory software) and a few others I can't remember. I doubt that the programs were the problem though. I'm pretty sure this is a Windows problem.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,241
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit (6.1, Build 7600)
       #2

    Check your computer to see if there are any Trojan viruses around, that might be the main problem. It was for me when I had that problem. Try it out and reply to this post to tell me if that helped.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Nope, a full scan with Microsoft Security Essentials turned up nothing.
    Thanks for the suggestion though, BlackSparrow...
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,241
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit (6.1, Build 7600)
       #4

    OK, than I'm am completely flushed out of ideas...
    It's fine, and please just call me Ryan...
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,963
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
       #5

    Dowload, update, and run a full scan with Malwarebytes Antimalware. MSE is a good program, but it isn't perfect (no antivirus is). Malwarebytes is a great on-demand scanner and will help confirm that you computer is virus free.

    Just to gain some more information, if Malwarebytes won't isntall at first, open task manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc. This will open task manager directly, rather than taking you to the Windows security screen. I just want to confirm that it really is task manager, not the security screen, that gets programs to install.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,413
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #6
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 186
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #7

    Have you changed/checked your UAC status?
      My Computer


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

    Try system restoring to a time before this started happening: System Restore
      My Computer


 

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