Possible virus making every file read-only?

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  1. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate
       #1

    Possible virus making every file read-only?


    My head has been spinning all day yesterday. Never have I had anything happen like this before. On my laptop, out of no where, my files became stuck on read-only. From program files to blank text documents, everything is write-protected. I figured my hard drive might be failing so I backed up files to another computer. Now that computer has everything as read-only! On both computers, it takes Windows Explorer 3 seconds or more to open a folder. Both computers are real slow, and I can't do anything from installing a program to deleting a empty folder! It's almost like a medical condition that spreads when copying a file from one computer to next! I believe my files are almost permently virus seeds! Afraid to do anything else after bricking two computers running Windows 7 Ultimate. First computer is an Asus Laptop (X55U). The second computer is an HP Compaq desktop (RE471AA).


    Update: Avast is detecting malware. I will update this thread as both computers are running boot-time
    scans.

    Update 2: Avast had detected something on my backup folder on the desktop which is C:\Users\public\Rhettster. Check the image for more information.

    Update 3: Avast finished on the desktop. Read-only problems still persist. I'm not sure what to do. Windows had just given me the biggest hint to what this problem is from. If you look at the pop up in the image, Windows is telling me I do not have permission from the system. I believe that the permissions are corrupted badly. Not sure how I could remove this from my files.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Possible virus making every file read-only?-image.jpg  
    Last edited by Rhettsterhhhh; 01 Jun 2015 at 21:31. Reason: Update 3
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,285
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #2

    You need to work with someone at a dedicated malware removal site.

    Follow directions at any of the following sites. The folks there are dedicated to malware removal and will be able to help you determine if your system is infected and if so how to clean it up. They require that you register but they are all free. Also be patient as they are usually very busy:

    GeeksToGo
    WhattheTech
    Spyware Beware
      My Computer

  3.    #3

    Run infection scans, check System Files, establish a Clean Boot and utilize the System resources in Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.

    If this is still the factory install then that is the worst possible install of Win7 one can have. You are long overdue for enjoying the actual Win7 OS for the first time by doing a Clean Reinstall Windows 7
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #4

    gregrocker said:
    Run infection scans, check System Files, establish a Clean Boot and utilize the System resources in Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.

    If this is still the factory install then that is the worst possible install of Win7 one can have. You are long overdue for enjoying the actual Win7 OS for the first time by doing a Clean Reinstall Windows 7
    Avast boot time scan just stated that my Compaq desktop had grime on it. My Asus laptop has detected both viruses and grime on it. Both computer have fresh non factory versions of Windows. I will update as Avast attempts to clean both PCs.
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    Run the scanners recommended by tutorial as well. Avast is not highly recommended here any longer since it bloated up and causes issues. After the boot scan (which can't do any harm) I would uninstall Avast and try MSE for a comparison. Avast Uninstall Utility | Download aswClear for Avast Removal
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #6

    gregrocker said:
    Run the scanners recommended by tutorial as well. Avast is not highly recommended here any longer since it bloated up and causes issues. After the boot scan (which can't do any harm) I would uninstall Avast and try MSE for a comparison. Avast Uninstall Utility | Download aswClear for Avast Removal
    I have used Avast for years. Never had any bloat ware with it. I have used MSE before. It's almost like comparing Internet Explorer to Firefox.
      My Computer

  7.    #7

    We see tens of thousands of cases over the whole life of the OS here, the accumulated expertise makes this the undisputed top tech forums in web history.

    Where once MSE and Avast were co-recommended, we've seen enough cases of Avast causing issues that it gradually stopped being recommended at all. I see members who still use it, but hardly any recommend it for others.

    This just in: Can't reboot repair or restore aft aborted Avast uninstall Oxc 000000f - Windows 7 Help Forums
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #8

    gregrocker said:
    We see tens of thousands of cases over the whole life of the OS here, the accumulated expertise makes this the undisputed top tech forums in web history.

    Where once MSE and Avast were co-recommended, we've seen enough cases of Avast causing issues that it gradually stopped being recommended at all. I see members who still use it, but hardly any recommend it for others.

    This just in: Can't reboot repair or restore aft aborted Avast uninstall Oxc 000000f - Windows 7 Help Forums
    I'm now doubting this is a virus. Windows is acting like the system is in control over me. Read the latest update I made to the thread.
      My Computer

  9.    #9

    We can't see what file you were trying to open. If it's a system file then you would not have permission which has always been the case to avoid the OS being easily damaged by user access to critical files.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #10

    gregrocker said:
    We can't see what file you were trying to open. If it's a system file then you would not have permission which has always been the case to avoid the OS being easily damaged by user access to critical files.
    Windows.old is a folder that is created when installing Windows over an existing installation. This pop up happens to almost every folder when attempting to uncheck read-only. In other words, I can't remove the read-only attributes from any folder. The system is denying me from doing so. I've used every version of Windows since Windows 98 and I have never had this happen. It's very strange. I have even used command prompt to attempt to change the permissions to no avail.
      My Computer


 
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