Solved Deleted Registry HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software

[Injust]

Hey guys,
Long story short, I delete the whole "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software" folder, so I tried to restore it with YARU (Yet Another Registry Utility), which should have worked. However, I actually REBOOTED before doing this, and Windows flashed me this screen that said "Setting Up Personalized Settings for...". It was like what you get when you have a new user account. To prove that, I launched Windows Media Player, and it asked me to set the settings. DAMNIT!

So then, I restored everything. The theme was changed to Windows XP, so I changed it back to Windows 7. However, I CANNOT get the Taskbar and Start Menu settings to change! I am an administrator user account, and the settings JUST WON'T CHANGE! I can apply a setting, and nothing will happen, and when I open the settings dialog again, it's like I didn't make any changes

I ran Startup Repair, but it couldn't fix my problem. Currently running SFC, but I need URGENT HELP!

Thanks,
Injust

 

[Injust]

SFC came back with "no integrity violations"

 

[Brink]

Hello Justin,

You could do a system restore at boot using a restore point (if available) dated before you did this to undo it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Injust]

Sorry, no restore points are available
KNEW IT!
Shoulda done a backup
Been editting the registry for a long while, and THIS has to happen

 

[Brink]

Oh my. It never does seem to happen when you're prepared for it.

You're looking at most likely needing to reinstall Windows 7.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Are you sure you messed around with ONLY HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software?
If so... only your user account has problems.

sfc/scan doesn't solve it. System restore isn't working I read, no backup as well.
reinstall/upgrade install doesn't solve it.

What did you restore (or tried to restore) using YARU?

 

[Injust]

The whole HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software branch.
I'm thinking that I know what I messed up, and am trying to restore the keys using YARU, but most of em have been overwritten already

 

[AddRAM]

Why did you delete it ??????????????????

 

[Kaktussoft]

Why did you delete it ??????????????????

Good question.

Why did you disable restore points?
Why don't you make backups?

 

[Injust]

Oh, I was removing stuff leftover from uninstalled programs
But I guess I didn't select the proper folder
So, any way I can fix this?
Because also, all my programs are messed up

 

[SIW2]

Unless you have a backup - you will have to set up a new user account.

Reinstalling windows won't change that.

 

[Brink]

Yep, if what Simon posted above doesn't help with a new user account, then backup anything you do not want to lose, and reinstall Windows 7.

Next time, be sure to keep good backups and have system protection turned on for at least your Windows drive.

 

[Injust]

ok
Will post back about progress...
Oh, but will my programs still work with a new user account

 

[SIW2]

Even those who are not fans of system restore would be advised to keep a shadow copy or two.

I never use system restore - shadow copies are useful for fishing out whatever bits you might need by hand.

 

[SIW2]

Depends what the programs are - your new account won't already include your various program settings of course.

 

[Brink]

ok
Will post back about progress...
Oh, but will my programs still work with a new user account

You may need to create new shortcuts for them from their .exe file, but they should still work. If not, then reinstalling the program should sort it.

 

[logicearth]

Create a new user account, log into it, right-click > Computer > Properties > Advance system settings > User Profiles, Settings... > Select the problematic user account > Delete after backing up any data you need. Log out, log back into the problematic user account. Windows will rebuild the registry.

This method deletes the user's profile data not the user itself.

 

[Injust]

Create a new user account, log into it, right-click > Computer > Properties > Advance system settings > User Profiles, Settings... > Select the problematic user account > Delete after backing up any data you need. Log out, log back into the problematic user account. Windows will rebuild the registry.

This method deletes the user's profile data not the user itself.

Don't understand you...
You say select the problematic user account, and DELETE after backing up data. Log out and LOG IN to the problematic user account? I thought you told me to DELETE that

Sorry, I'm just very confused...

 

[Injust]

After a lot of hassle, I managed to copy my corrupted profile to a new account.
However, I encounter the SAME explorer.exe problems there. It won't save or apply ANY of my chances, whether it's to folder options, taskbar settings, notification area, ANYTHING.
I can't use it like that
And I noticed that when you right-click on the blank area of a folder/desktop, and go to the "New" context menu, it's BLANK. No more new FOLDER, or SHORTCUT, it's all gone

Yeah...

 

[Injust]

Oh, just saying, even with a BRAND NEW user account, the explorer.exe settings REFUSE to budge
Need somebody to help me plz, it's really annoying and I can NOT use my computer like this for long. Steam's coming outta my ears nau