Windows 7: Random Adobe update led to Microsoft SE disabled; infected?!

Start/Help and Support and type in remove restore point and it will guide you through it. You could also use Ccleaner to do it under Tools. Using Ccleaner you can also wipe free space for a little more insurance.

Can you enable the firewall now? You are able to remove java (uninstall), most people don't even use it anymore.

I have Ccleaner; got it from a previous situation.



I got rid of Java; good idea just in case. I don't even know what exactly I use it for. It can't be for flash.


As for my firewall; it's all confusion. Nothing that I'm seeing is telling me if it's on or off, and even if I wanted to change it, it does tell me that I can and how, without showing me what it's telling me. For example, if I wanted to allow something through firewall:



It's the same for recommended settings, or to turn it off, etc. And this is what it shows if I click advanced settings:



See what I mean? What does it mean? Does it look like my firewall is in trouble and needs to be fixed?

Yes, have you clicked "use recommended settings"?

Run this fix: http://support.microsoft.com/mats/wi...agnostic/en-us

I did. The first image is exactly ehat it shows.

I added a bit to my last post. Run that tool to try to fix it

Okay, I did it. It said the problem was that it didn't allow me to change its settings, which I already knew, and while it said it was repaired, it really didn't. It's still the same with the same error messages, and confusing screens like the ones I posted before.

Annnnnnd we're back to the repair install....

Yeah, and I looked at that page you linked, and it looks dangerous, right? There were alot of warnings. And the type of Windows 7 with or without SP1, I don't know which I have, or if I have the DVD it mentions.

But, if I were to ask a dumb question: when you're on your computer, internet or not, and something wants to access your computer, and it asks if you want it to do so, isn't that the firewall?

No, the firewall prevents potentially malicious stuff/devices from going/loading to your computer. What you are talking about is built into your web browser, such as IE9, that warns you not to go to a website or that a download is potentially dangerous. Many types of different built in security for windows that we take advantage of every day.

The repair install should tell you how to find out if you have sp1 installed, and also how to remove it if you do. You will need to install all the updates again, but at least the computer will be fixed. Do make sure you have the right CD before you begin, however.