.lnk Disabled

[Bob]

I removed/uninstalled a program from my computer. Now when I start up I get
the message: File Windows Desktop Search.lnk disabled. Where do I find
this file to do a repair or replace this .lnk file?
thanks

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Did you mean Windows Desktop Search.lnk.disabled ??

Normally .lnk files ajust shortcuts to files or folders.

Windows Desktop Search.lnk.disabled is some sort of malware. You have some
crap that you do not want.

UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and anti-spyware
software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode can
be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal themselves
in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode will prevent those
applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses or other malware
allowing for easier removal.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

Windows Desktop Search.lnk.disabled
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&...as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&as_rights=&safe=images

O4 - Global Startup = Autoloading programs from Registry

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Normally .lnk files ajust shortcuts to files or folders.

should have read:

Normally .lnk files are just shortcuts to files or folders.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Bob]

Wes, in addition to the first message, behind it was: File: Microsoft
Office.Ink disabled. I reinstalled MSO and ask it to repair shortcuts, but
that didn't help.

This didn't happen until I removed Spybot-Search & Destroy from my computer.
It did this once before for the same reason, and someone gave me a file that
would fix the problem, but that was a couple of years ago.

It's really annoying for the message to pop up every time I boot up.
thanks for any help

 

[Bob]

The only thing I knew to do was a System Restore. I did that to a point
just before I removed Spybot Search & Destroy. That fixed my .lnk file
problem, so I know for sure that SS-D was the problem, but now I have
Spybot Search & Destroy back in my Program files. Everytime I try to delete
it, I get the message: SDHelper.dll access is denied, Cannot delete. Looks
like it's something I'll have to live with.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Bob,

I do not think that Microsoft Office.lnk.disabled has anything to do with
Microsoft or Office. I think that it is from some sort of malware. Malware
a**holes use legitimate sounding names to disguise their crap.

However, Osa.exe or Osa9.exe could be the legitimate files that Microsoft
Office.lnk refers to.

What Is the Osa.exe File?
The Office Startup Assistant (Osa.exe or OSA) is a program that improves the
performance of Office XP programs. Office Setup places a shortcut to the
Osa.exe file in the Windows Startup folder; the file is named "Microsoft
Office".

What Is the OSA9.exe File?
The Office Startup Assistant (OSA9.exe or OSA9) is a program that improves
the performance of Office 2000 programs. Office 2000 Setup places a shortcut
to the file OSA9.exe in the Windows StartUp folder with a name of Microsoft
Office.

I have Word 2002 and have disabled Osa.exe.
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE

Been so long ago that I do not remember exactly where, probably here...
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
or here
C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name Here\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Have you used msconfig.exe to disable any startup items?
Start | Run | Type: msconfig | Click OK

Maybe that is what the "disabled" refers to.

Windows Desktop Search can be a legitimate deal.
Windows Desktop Home Page
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/desktopsearch/default.mspx

If you really did install Windows Desktop Search...

windowssearch.exe is a process associated with Windows Desktop Search Tray
from Microsoft. It is used by the MSN Search Toolbar.

C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar
Suite\DS\02.05.0001.1119\en-us\bin\WindowsSearch.exe

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Bob,

Everytime I try to
delete it, I get the message: SDHelper.dll access is denied, Cannot
delete.

SDHelper.dll is probably loaded and in use, that's why you cannot delete it.

SDHelper.dll is the Bad download blocker. Blocks URLs that could install
spyware, malware etc.

You must have actived the Resident "SDHelper" (Internet Explorer bad
download blocker), which is part of Spybot S&D.

Try starting in Safe Mode and then try to delete SDHelper.dll. SDHelper.dll
may not load in Safe Mode, I honestly do not know if it does or not. I have
Spybot S&D, but I do not have that option selected.

C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll

You may have to reinstall and the uninstall Spybot S&D if that doesn't work.

To start the computer in safe mode
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In