Cannot Navigate with Explorer

[soyeso]

Lately it is almost impossible to navigate with Windows explorer. When I click on a desktop link to open something, almost always, something else opens. I am trying to trouble shoot, but it's hard. I can get into control panel. When I boot the system, I get a Window in black and white asking me what type of start-up I want.
I found 8 viruses with AVG, which were secured.
I tried a restore point set, but it would not work.
Any suggestions are welcome

 

[unrealRage]

Ouch!This is probably cause by some malware.
Have you tried deep antivirus scan?Find and delete all malware/viruses.

Maybe you should install a new,fresh copy of Windows (if you can and if you don't mind losing some data).Getting rid of some malware and adware can be real pain and sometimes you may not be sure have you actually removed them.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Do you mean, for example, when you click on a picture, Word or some other program opens instead of the picture viewer?

If yes, you could try this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html

 

[soyeso]

It seems to be OK now after restarts. AVG took out 8 viruses.
Subsequently used Malwarebytes and Kaspersky to verify that the PC is now clean.

I rarely use this computer online. I am used to my Mac which is configured so that there are no ads. On the PC I stupidly followed a link to a site called "Instant Checkmate" which would supposedly reveal criminal history for any name you input. One page led to another, and it was obviously going to lead to a request for money, which it did. I stopped there, but picked up 8 viruses in the process. Lesson learned.
Thanks to all for the suggestions.

 

[Ohmster]

Lately it is almost impossible to navigate with Windows explorer. When I click on a desktop link to open something, almost always, something else opens. I am trying to trouble shoot, but it's hard. I can get into control panel. When I boot the system, I get a Window in black and white asking me what type of start-up I want.
I found 8 viruses with AVG, which were secured.
I tried a restore point set, but it would not work.
Any suggestions are welcome

Ouch! Been there, done that a lot of times! You are lucky to get it running again, but to be safe, run the system file checker on the PC. Right click Command Prompt, run as Administrator. Tye in command:

sfc /scannow

To check and repair any damaged or missing Windows system files. Allow to finish.

 

[Ohmster]

Lately it is almost impossible to navigate with Windows explorer. When I click on a desktop link to open something, almost always, something else opens. I am trying to trouble shoot, but it's hard. I can get into control panel. When I boot the system, I get a Window in black and white asking me what type of start-up I want.
I found 8 viruses with AVG, which were secured.
I tried a restore point set, but it would not work.
Any suggestions are welcome

Ouch! Been there, done that a lot of times! You are lucky to get it running again, but to be safe, run the system file checker on the PC. Right click Command Prompt, run as Administrator. Tye in command:

sfc /scannow

To check and repair any damaged or missing Windows system files. Allow to finish.

 

[soyeso]

I ran scannow, and no issues were found.

Thanks!