Updates deleted my software programs

Yesterday, a Windows updates installed. When i re-started my computer, my desk top was different - a different background and only about five files on it (instead of 25 + all my shortcuts). I clicked on restart, and my usual background loaded, with about 20 files - but many programs and shortcuts were still gone - for example, the software from my canon digital camera was gone. Gone. I uninstalled the update, and the programs/files/shortcuts did not reappear. What happened? HOw do I get my programs back???

Hello edison and welcome to Seven Forums.

Couple of questions if I may to try to narrow things down. Did the Windows Update come from the actual Windows Update site or did you get a pop-up or some other notice to install the update? Is this how you uninstalled the update?

Windows Update - Uninstall an Update

If you haven't already done so, try using a restore point to roll back your computer to a date/time prior to the update.

System Restore

If system restore works I'd next run a full scan with your installed anti-virus suite. Since no anti-malware product is 100% effective 100% of the time, I'd run a couple more free on-demand scans just as a double-check.

Malwarebytes

ESET Online Scanner

Then I'd check for any damaged or corrupt system files by running a system file checker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two.) If problems are found, run the scan 3 times and reboot the computer after each scan.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Thanks for your help ...
I had my computer set to "automatic updates" - so when I started to turn off the computer, it began installing the Windows update. I did the restore to a previous date, and it did give me my programs and files back.

I ran my virus software, and it found nothing. I'll do it again with the programs you suggest.

And will then try the system file checker.
Thanks again - I'll let you know.

Fantastic news! Here's hoping the rest of the scans go well.

i ran the two malware scans you suggested - both came up clean.

I am stymied with the elevated command prompt process. I followed it as far as I could - but a window opens up with a blinking cursor - wanting an "administrator password" (I think) - I don't even know what that is, so I can run the prompt. Any ideas?

I'm guessing you're now trying to run the system file checker scan. Not to worry. :)

1. Click Start and in the start menu search box type in cmd.exe
2. You should now see cmd.exe at the top of the panel. Right-click on it
3. A menu should open. Left-click on Run as administrator
4. You may get a warning from User Account Control. Click yes
5. The command prompt screen will open. The blinking cursor should be at the end of
c:\windows\system32>_
6. Simply type in the command sfc /scannow and click Enter (there is a space between sfc and /scannow)

The scan could take a while. Here are some screen shots that may help.

Attachment 243777 Attachment 243778 Attachment 243779

A thousand thanks. I will try this and let you know - that's exactly where I was getting stuck. I didn't know what to type in at that blinking cursor. Let's see ...

I'm guessing the scan should finish in less than an hour. I'll be lurking around the Forum for another couple of hours.

I got a message that says: Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the CBS.Log windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For example C:\Windows\Logs\CBS.CBS.log

C:\Windows\system32

Ok. I have no clue at all what this means or what to do.

Sometimes a system file checker scan finds damaged or corrupt system files. If it does, the usual plan of attack is to run the scan 3 times from the elevated command prompt. After each scan, you have to reboot the computer before starting the next scan. (Yes, it's time consuming but sometimes file "DEF" can't be fixed until file "QRS" is fixed. And "QRS" can't be fixed until "HIJ" is fixed. So multiple scans may be able to get those corrupt files fixed.

Even if after three more scans there are still corrupt files, if your computer is working OK, it's not something to lose sleep over. The files could very well be non-critical. Just as an example, someone may have different language packs installed as part of their Windows 7 Ultimate. And maybe the Ukrainian language pack is damaged in some way. The system file checker scan could flag this file as corrupted and can't repair it. But if you never use the Ukrainian language pack, no harm no foul.

Run the system file checker scan 3 more time from the elevated command prompt and reboot the computer after each scan. If there are still files that cannot be fixed, Option Three in the tutorial show how to generate a cbs.log .... you could post it here for evaluation. Like I said, if your computer is working OK. don't lose sleep over this. :)

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker