Check to see if this problem is related to program files only! Most software and shortcuts point to that location.
Put a file for example test.txt (not a shortcut) on your desktop for example. Does it open normally? Is the problem account related? Login under another account and test. Or make a testaccount first
I've tried both of those before. Documents and executables disappear. I have Explorer++ on the desktop. It's a standalone (no need to install) software, similar to Windows Explorer. I would click on the icon to open, it would disappear, error message, etc. But the program would open! And then when I clicked on any file or folder in Explorer++, the same problems would occur: vanishing icon, error messages (always the same one, multiplied at least a dozen times).
The other day I created another user account "Testaccount" and that's when I said the problem was "even worse" than the administrator account. When I clicked on an icon, it wouldn't disappear but I'd get this message: "FILE ACCESS DENIED. You'll need to provide administrative permission to delete this file." And that message would automatically duplicate itself many times. Needless to say, I wasn't trying to delete anything. And in that test account, the computer froze. I had to unplug it to turn it off.
I've tried the various fixes and my icons/folders/documents, etc. are still getting deleted when I click on them after start-up. Surely, I can't be the only one in the world with this problem. Even Microsoft Answers couldn't help me. Any other ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks...
Same problem in safe mode, to me indicates a potential hardware problem; if so its probably memory
Guide to using Memtest86+ - Geeks to Go Forums
Okay, I'll try it. Thanks. I did run Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool and got the message: "No memory errors were detected." Maybe Memtest86+ will find something.
Default File Type Associations - Restore
Take the reg file of the LNK extension. Worked on my situation on laptop too (samsung)
If that doesn't help would suggesting clean install from scatch, if that's not option then use repair install (almost same), or use your restore cd's and say Complete restore (naturally this will overwrite all data that you didn't have on backup cd's)
The test must be run for 8 passes. Then take a good stick and test each slot for 8 passes. We are talking overnight at least. This is a through test, if done correctly and if no errors are found we can look elsewhere.
Problem even in safe mode, I lean toward hardware.
Go to search type event viewer. In viewer go to adminstrative (left panel) look for errors at the time of the problem
I highly doubt that an action that happens upon clicking an icon is a memory issue. Memory corruptions would be causing other symptoms. You've got a screwed up system for whatever reason and it appears that the easiest solution is a repair install or a clean reinstall. I have a feeling you're going to spend way more time trying to track down this issue to no avail when you could instead just start over with a clean slate.
If you want to go with the idea that the system is screwed, you may want to go back with a system image. It will most likely solve the problem without the hassles of a reinstall. That is the purpose of system image.
System Image Recovery
Thanks. Janny77: I tried that the other day (Default File Type LNK). Didn't work. I think I'm going to have to try the System Image Recovery, as FliGi7 says, I'm wasting more time trying to figure this out.
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