can't access some programs after installing Office 2013 *.exe issue

[AngryChief]

My office 2010 crashed and wouldn't re-install because of missing MSO Cache items, and of course all support has ended. So I uninstalled it and cleaned up all registry entries and then purchased and installed Office 2013. After I made sure it was working correctly, I ran updates on CCleaner Pro and CleanMyPC Registry Cleaner. What I failed to do is what I ALWAYS do, and that's make sure that ALL of my programs are working after the installation or update of ANY program. So any of the above may have caused the problem. And during this time I also ran the program "RED" (remove empty directories). Now I'm getting this error message on a number of my programs. This message pops up any time I try to "run", "uninstall", "repair", or "re-install" any of these programs, so it definitely has something to do w/ *.exe files.

"Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item"

Attached is a screenshot of a typical one. (sf01.jpg)
Of course as the sole user of this PC, I have always had the UAC's set to let me access, change, delete, & add ANYTHING and have not had this issue before. I have gone through this forum and tried just about every registry hack and other suggestions for similar issues. No joy.
I have also attached a list of the installed programs and have noted the programs where I get this message in the hope that someone can see a pattern in the chaos. Why do some work and some do not ??

Thank you

 

[mitchell65]

I think ember.exe is the problem here. I believe it to be a malicious Trojan. You might be better served posting this thread on the Security part of this Forum.

 

[AngryChief]

Appreciate your reply but I can assure you that Firehand EmberMax is NOT the issue. It is nothing but an extremely good and very lightweight photo viewer that I have been using continuously since the win95 days. I have read Symantec's report. It's BS. It has been cleared by KIS, Malware-bytes, Malware anti-exploit, and Scotty.

I have attached is a hijackthis log for those that might find it helpful.

 

[AngryChief]

works fine in safe mode - go figure :-(

Had to go into safe mode to "uninstall" all of the affected programs. Then spent hours cleaning up folders & the registries removing all traces of the affected programs. What's interesting now is that if I install any of the programs in the "normal" mode, I get the same "access denied" message, but if I install them in "safe" mode, the program(s) runs fine "in safe mode". (always one at a time) Another 2 or 3 days of this and I guess I'll have to do a clean install Even old retired guys got better things to do !!