Solved Clicking Desktop shortcuts only open folder properties...

[Aintrite]

So I woke up this morning and tried to get on the internet but all Firefox did was show folder properties. So I checked all the other shortcuts and the same thing. I tried to get into the control panel from the desktop and it puts out an error that the properties for this folder is not available. Also I ran Avast to see if I had some type of virus and when I opened that under every option to click it also had a letter, pressing the said key would be just like clicking on the balloon option. I tried to look this up but I only found this problem for XP and 95/98 OS, which was usually a keyboard issue. I have a KVM with two other computers connected to it and use the same keyboard (this is how I am posting this) so I can't see how I would have a keyboard issue when it works fine with two other computers. Any help would be appreciated.

-edit- I forgot to add that clicking my computer icon from desktop opens the control panel \ system and security \ system.

 

[Brink]

Hello Aintrite,

If you like, downloading and merging the .reg files for the listed lnk (LNK) and EXE options in the tutorial below may be able to help. It will restore their default associations.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Aintrite]

I also forgot to mention that I can't do anything in either Firefox or IE. If I hit certain keys the home page kinda jumps like it's going to do something but only for a milisec. So even if I wanted to use that link I couldn't. I just checked to see if I could access the other computers on my network from the one with the problems and even going from the start menu and clicking on my computer gives me the same thing, only properties and it won't let me right click them. I really confused on why this has happened when the computer was working fine when I went to bed and wake up and it's all jacked up. Nobody touched in between that time. Also I can't even right click the desktop to adjust the monitor options.

Any other ideas I could try.

 

[Brink]

If need be, you could download those files from another computer, to use on yours.

Well, just to help make sure that your system is clean, you might consider using the tutorial below to create a bootable Windows Defender Oflling DVD/USB to use to scan your system with at boot. If need be, you can create it on another 64-bit computer to use on yours.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-windows-defender-offline.html

Once you are sure your system is clean, then you could also do a system restore at boot using a restore point (if available) dated before this happened to hopefully undo and fix it.

 

[Aintrite]

OK so I went into control panel \ default programs \ set programs access and computer defaults...then I chose custom checked everything and hit ok. Everything is back to normal now.:huh: this was the only program I could access.

 

[Britton30]

I would strongly suggest you still run the security scan Brink linked to.

 

[Brink]

That's great news. Sounds like one may have been disabled somehow.

It wouldn't hurt to do a full scan with Windows Defender Offline at boot when you have time just to be safe though.

 

[Aintrite]

Thanks for all your help Brink. I'm making a USB to scan my computer anyway...just in case.

-edit- Looks like I'm on the right path then I didn't see those last two posts before posting this one.

 

[Brink]

Anytime mate. Just glad you got it sorted.

 

[Aintrite]

Yeah I love this forum. I don't come here alot but if I ever have a problem you guys have me up and running usually in a few hours.

 

[Kalix]

I registered this account because this is still the top Google result for this problem...
and I know the correct answer (emphasis for lost souls who might ignore this post)

See below:

I also forgot to mention that I can't do anything in either Firefox or IE. If I hit certain keys the home page kinda jumps like it's going to do something but only for a milisec. So even if I wanted to use that link I couldn't. I just checked to see if I could access the other computers on my network from the one with the problems and even going from the start menu and clicking on my computer gives me the same thing, only properties and it won't let me right click them. I really confused on why this has happened when the computer was working fine when I went to bed and wake up and it's all jacked up. Nobody touched in between that time. Also I can't even right click the desktop to adjust the monitor options.

Any other ideas I could try.

It's from a Windows Alt+Left Click.

• Holding Alt + Double Left Click on My Computer = Open control panel
• Holding Alt + Double Left Click on a shortcut = Open properties
• Holding Alt + various keys in Firefox will do various actions, such as opening toolbars (Alt + f/e/s/b/t/h), opening home page (alt + home), jumping to address bar (Alt + D), etc.
• Holding Alt while right click the desktop will prevent the context menu form opening (the one to change desktop resolution

If you are having the same problems as the OP, it's because your Alt key is stuck, or your PC for some reason thinks it's being pressed.