Windows Platform Update KB2670838 Broke MUCH More Than Just Aero!

Hello SevenForums,

I am a new user, this is my very first post here despite being a fairly regular user here without an account. Anyway, I have come you to solve a major problem I've had for ~2 weeks. After the IE10 update and Platform Update KB2670838, I have scoured the Internet for an answer to my problems AFTER installing the "innocent" update. Now how is this a problem? Well many have said simply uninstall the updates, restart a couple times and you're good to go. Unfortunately after installation, it was too late. I have a rather different case that I haven't found online. Not only did it break Aero Glass and it's beautiful slick features and animations, it made my PC rather "bland" by locking me in Windows Basic. I can live with that, sort of. The second very unusual problem is that it added a second "ghost" display, keep in mind before and after the update, I had no secondary display connected, so whenever out of habit I move to the bottom right corner to display desktop (currently using Win+D) I can't as I feel like there's a second display and the cursor shifts to that one. Even my screenshots are messed up, showing the "ghost" display: http://imgur.com/1zn6V4a (same as the attachment)

I even had a graphics driver update for my GeForce FT 440, rolled that back and still nothing. I check all my settings, (Right-clicking "Computer">Properties>"Adjust for best appearance"), ran the System Rating test again, checked the windows appearance settings and clicked a few Aero Glass themes to see if it would return and no dice. Unfortunately it didn't make a system restore point, nor did I know it would cause all this so I could make one, so I cannot revert to a past point, I don't even have ANY after the 13th of May, 2013.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this, if it is too long, here's the summary:

-Update KB2670838 and IE10 install broke Aero Glass
-After uninstalling said updates, many reboots, frustration and more, Aero Glass has still not returned
-Stuck on Windows Basic Theme
-Checked all Aero Glass and appearance settings and all are set to Aero Glass, yet no dice
-Installed graphics card update for GeForce GT 440, then rolled it back and still no dice


Thank you for your time!
~HeroKhar

Welcome to Seven Forums HeroKhar. Let's look at one problem at a time. The "ghost" display.

Right click on desktop> Screen resolution

Do you show more then one display?

Right click on desktop> Nvidia control panel> Select a task> Display> Set up multiple displays

Do you show more then one display?

Let's start there. Post screenshots if yes on either/both

Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

A Guy

OK, we always need to establish what's been done, posters "level", etc.

If you open Device manager and expand Monitors, is there only one listed?

While we're at it, for the aero issue.

Open task manager, is dwm.exe showing in processes tab? The Themes service is started and set to automatic?

A Guy

I'm usually reticent to go straight to the System File Checker, especially in Customization as it will reset most customizations, but it could speak to both problems.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Please, Sir is not necessary, Bill or A Guy

A Guy

No apologies, that's what we're here for. You have a puzzler. I am assuming you don't have a system restore point from before this began? I know most are not thrilled to restore to a point 2 weeks ago, but you can see what programs are affected, and your documents would remain. A Guy

Before a clean install, a repair install may be a better alternative. I see a plethora of issues caused by KB2670838, including aero, gaming displays, even black background in office apps. I have yet to find any fix beyond most uninstalling the update. You might wait and see if other members don't chime in here, we are all over the world.

Repair Install

I'll keep looking. A Guy