desktop integritylevel keeps dropping to 'low'

foe · 08 Sep 2012

Yeah, I know the guide says you should not install the optional driver updates, but there are more optional updates out there.

quote:
"I would not replace any drivers given by the installer or optional Updates unless performance problems point to that specfic driver. We can help you troubleshoot these issues."

I just wanted to make sure his opinion on 'optional updates' was the same as his opinion on optional driver updates. As I had a feeling this might be the case.

quote: "understanding it and following the guide is another matter entirely"

Yeah, but like I said, I did this before he did post this guide. So when I read the guide, I could no longer follow it. I wanted to wait reinstalling another time, until the problem reoccurred, since I thought the reinstall might have fixed it already, even though it was installed before gregrocker posted his guide. (see:desktop integritylevel keeps dropping to 'low')

I think I'll mark this tread as solved: the problem persists but I think you guys gave me enough suggestions to look at. From now on I'll only reply if I found the cause and/or solved the problem.

Thanks again.

*edit*
I just found out that this happens when I open internet explorer. And it happends to some shortcuts but not all of them: adobe reader is still opened right away, but for example my firefox shortcut is effected.

This explains why it happened on such a irregular basis: I rarely use internet explorer!

*edit2*
All shortcuts that have a modifiable target showing in properties are effected. The adobe reader shortcut is not effected even when I run icacls d:\desktop /setintegritylevel L
Apparently shortcuts that are not showing the full path to the program: target="Adobe REader X (10.1.4)" grayed out, in stead of "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 10.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe", the 'find target' button is grayed out on such shortcuts. If I send "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 10.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe" to the desktop manually, then this shortcut is affected.

Apparently this type of 'unchangeable' shortcuts is marked as 'safe'.
*edit3*
interesting, de-installing internet explorer 9 and using internet explorer 8 works as a workaround: the problem is in ie9 apparently.
*edit4* I installed ie9 form the ms site instead of win updates and: same problem :O

foe · 08 Sep 2012

Sorry for the double post, but this deserves it's own:

I found the cause!

I rarely use internet explorer so I removed the 'Favorites' folder and used gpedit.msc:
User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Explorer
'Disable Known Folders'

I thought: this way the internet explorer favorites will stay empty, even when installed programs wanted to add a shortcut in there.

IE creates this folder when run, but it seems like IE9 really disliked the creation of the folder being blocked. From the looks of it, IE9 concluded it must have been a mallware infection and lowered the integrity levels.

The solution? Removing 'Favorites' from the 'disable known folders' list and just clean it regularly.

If you experience the same problem, make sure the 'Favorites' folder can be created!

gregrocker · 08 Sep 2012

You're right there will be no further discussion of whether you should run an AV or not. Install it now if you want further help here.

Do all of your Important and Optional Updates. The chance of a problem is greater than one in a million.

As you discovered the cause of your problem was also self-imposed when you tweaked IE9 which you don't even use beyond normal system settings. This is not necessary and also reckless, although not as reckless as running with no AV. You probably also text while driving.

foe · 08 Sep 2012

Ow, come on. I know running no AV is reckless, that's why I keep a system backup: so I'm back in less then 7 minutes if something went wrong. I am quite able to recognize it when I actually am infected. I am aware of all processes, services and start up entries that should and should not be there. So we could rule out the possebility of an infection I even installed security essentials for the duration of this problem, as you can re-read here: desktop integritylevel keeps dropping to 'low'

Furthermore I did not tweak IE9 at all, I just blocked the favorites folder. Witch is not an explicit part of IE (though you might in a way call it an implicit part of it).

Now I understand that it's foolish of me to not tell you about the stuff I usually do right after a clean install: I also disable hidden extensions and so on. I know this made it impossible for you to properly help me, and for this I apologize, but posting such a reaction after the problem has already been solved is just rude.

And I don't see what the problem being self-imposed has got anything to do with it? You'll help someone who for example messed up his drivers as well wouldn't you?

z3r010 · 08 Sep 2012

More stupid than reckless IMO.