What the heck? 7 updated and everything is different

[emilaweb]

Hi, I've had my computer for about 6 months now, with 7 home premium on it for that time.
Just updated today, well I didn't, I was playing a game and it force restarted changes on me, and when it rebooted EVERYTHING was moved around. None of my files are in the same place, settings back to factory, it lost my internet data (history, bookmarks, auto-fill), every program that I start runs like it's been run the first time and it can find any save files for those games. I found some of my docos/pics etc. just a second ago. I was keeping them in libraries but it had transfered all of them over into computer-local disk- users- me
It changed all my settings and is making me 'ask for admin' permission or whatever. It also put IE and Games back on my desktop (I'm pretty sure I trashed Games! ) And a bunch of icons that were normally in my taskbar are either invisible or just gone. I attatched a photo of it so you can see what I mean.
It also deleted that sidebar thing with the weather/cpu info on the right side. It's seriously like it's back to factory setting or something!
It's INCREDIBLY annoying, I have moved all my docs/pics/music back but I want all the changes to go back to normal, like I don't know what settings to do, and why my programs are running like this. I have no idea what settings to change, no idea how to get my programs to run normally.

Oh and now my computer is running really loud. I don't know why. It's never this loud unless I'm running like itunes, a video game, and a bunch of other programs. I built it myself and it is awesome.

Ugh I just don't understand why an update did this. Did I do or not do something that caused this?? Does anyone know why this happened and what I could do to change it back?

 

[DustSailor]

did you customize your computer in the past (meaning download a pack, etc)? and exactly what have you deleted besides the games folder (don't recommend trashing folders and items in that way) through the recycle bin?

 

[TVeblen]

You should try a System Restore.

Start > Computer > System Properties > System Protection > System Restore

Choose the restore point named for the date of the update you suspect caused the issue, or one from a date before the update.

 

[JaidynM]

Yes, as TVeblen has said above, a System Restore should fix the problem. Just if you're not sure, I've linked a tutorial if you're not sure how to restore.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

 

[emilaweb]

@Dustsailor
Nope. I keep it pretty simple. The last two things I downloaded were WinRar and the EA Games Download.
For the deletion thing, I delete items like music/pics/docs I don't want but not anything major, I use add/remove for programs like a good girl. I got rid of games right after I installed the OS. Never had issues until now.

@TVblen.
Yeah I am considering it, after I save all the files that were obtained. I just don't want it to do it again after I restore it so I'm attempting to figure out the cause.

Oh and not directed at anyone- I have Norton 360 that catches any viruses and whatnot my way. It seems to do an extremely thorough job and I had a routine full scan/defragg/clean awhile before the issue.

 

[JaidynM]

After you restore, you might want to backup an image to an external hard drive. Just in case it happens again.

 

[emilaweb]

@JaidynM- I'll do that when I can get it working properly for sure.


So I just did a System Restore.
It got my widgets back and restored some settings, but moved more of my documents to a completely different folder than
And then I tried to find my Sims 3 program folder and I found it in my writing folder. This is incrdibly confusing. I have no idea what is going on with this thing. I thought it said it wouldn't affect documents, but when I restarted, Word popped up to tell me that two documents I had created in the past day could not be found.

 

[JaidynM]

Hm, that is quite odd. I've never actually heard of an update doing that before. Do you know what exactly was updated?

 

[emilaweb]

It was a Windows Security update.

But I'm thinking its a virus now. Norton is having some issues with updating subscriptions and the computer has restarted twice for no reason. No blue screen, just restart.

 

[James Colbert]

To cover the bases, you could run a full scan with free Malwarebytes.

 

[Britton30]

Yes, by all means do what James said and als do a scan with Super AntiSpyware as well (links to both in my sig) update each one and do Full scans.

The update you refer to should not have been forced by and software and no automatic restart either. Game sites are well known for having malware. Some at least are, such as ones promising hacks, cheats, etc.

 

[DustSailor]

The EA games download doesn't have viruses I have the same thing. Make sure you only have a single antivirus activated at a time (however, malwarebytes can be activated at the same time as an antivirus). definately would follow these gents advice and update antivirus&malwarebytes, then full scans on both. Everyone will recommend a different antivirus lol so just choose one, unless you just want to stick with norton. windows update comes with monthly malicious software removal tools if they help at all. never update windows anywhere except through control panel, and never update security software on the internet (instead, update it through the program itself). there are virus filled websites that are filled with gimmicks about an insecure computer and that you need to download something (never download anything to do with security from a random website. Some even have parts of the security software that seem legitamite in their title. Be very careful what site you use for security software. Britton30's sig is safe if you want to use it to link to an antivirus lol).

hope this helps some