Windows 7: Malware everything opening Windows Media Center

I got a call to help over the phone to get a machine running widows 7 working. All programs open Windows Media Center. I couldn't get to regedit, msconfig, cmd, nothing. All programs open WMC. I told him he can drop it off at my shop. So when I get it I will warn him that I may have to wipe it. I know I can possibly create a new user and run ant-malware. Or I can change each file extension for each program. I even tried to just disable WMC in the widows program list. But to no avail, still WMC started up. Any suggestions that wont take hours and hours to fix, because time is money and I can't spend days on this. There is not sensitive data or anything on it, just gaming.

you can restore the proper linking for executables using the exe link here
Default File Type Associations - Restore

It's possible it will also work just by booting Safe Mode (with networking option)

Then you can download install update and run this(free version is fine). which works fairly well even in safe mode.
Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO removes malware including viruses, spyware, worms and trojans, plus it protects your computer

Welcome to Seven Forums mikeatlas. You can also try Windows Defender Offline. A good tool for your toolkit in any case. A Guy

Hi there
MSE is great

My problem with any of these "Free" one's - even Malwarebytes which has a good reputation for "After the fact scanning" -- but IMO if you find a virus "After the fact" then damage has already been done -- time for re-install or refresh from good image -- is that they always push a "PRO" version at you -- often sending loads of emails requesting you to "Upgrade" for the "Mega magnificent Features" not found in the free version.

I am not against people flogging products -- but being pestered with loads of emails certainly wouldn't endear me to the company trying to peddle me something.

Also you can never be sure if the "Freebie" is actually "fit for purpose" since all the resources will obviously go into the commercial product.

Incidentally in W8 MSE has "morphed" into a re-vamped "Windows Defender" (both functions now merged into Windows defender) complete with real time protection and user manual scanning if required. Seems pretty good -- so if this is back ported into Windows 7 (no reason why it shouldn't be) then most free AV software is essentially redundant and you won't need malwarebytes either.

Advantage of MS also is that updates are done automatically as well via windows updates and MS DEFINITELY has an interest in keeping its OS as secure as possible so there is no lack of commitment by MS on this issue either.

I'd get rid of ANY stock I have in most of these AV software vendors companies !!!. A few corporates will survive as will "Militiary Strength" stuff -- but for the likes of you and me -- MSE (or the revamped Windows defender as in W8) is MORE than sufficient - and won't hog your machine either.

Cheers
jimbo

mikeatlas,

To rule out the cause of the problem being malware, then Windows Defender Offline, WDO, should be your first choice.

If after running WDO you still have problems, then the restoration of the default file associations as recommended by MaguCreed is your next step.

First WDO, then restoration of default file associations.

Let us know the results.
And of course, welcome to SevenForums.
karl

Thanks for all of your help guys. I will update when I take delivery of the machine. Though I do not think that I will be able to run the Widows defender considering nothing else run. Even IE opens in WMC.

You will be able to run Windows Defender Offline.

WDO (Windows Defendender Offline) runs from either a CD or a USB (my preferred approach).

If WDO does not run then you should test your ram since WDO runs from ram.

Gain computer knowledge and experience by using WDO.

You may, let's hope not, find that you will need to run WDO at some later time on your machine.

You may have a friend whose computer is infected. Run WDO on his/her machine and he/she will be very grateful.

First, Windows7 does not need registry "cleaning." Second, instead of doing all of that, you should remove the Malware in the first place.

I'll agree registry cleaning win 7 has lead to nothing but problems for me.