Downloaded Program Files "Damaged"

G

Guest

Some sage tech told me, in an online discussion on how to keep my computer
clean and working smoothly, that it was ok to delete all of the "downloaded
program files" that reside in that internet options, browsing history,
settings, view objects, place....(i have IE7, so to get to them is a little
different than IE6, etc.).

Anyway, I took his "wise and sage" advice and deleted all of my DOWNLOADED
PROGRAM FILES, while I was doing my other clean up stuff.

Now, many of them show as damaged.

Some of them have reloaded themselves as ive used certain programs, and now
show INSTALLED, and i dont have any problems with active x, or
shockwave....actually i dont have any problems with the computer when
accessing webpages, or loading programs, whatever.

Still, like many of you im sure, I hate having anything messed up on my
computer.

Can someone tell me exactly what downloaded program files are, how to find
out exactly what the programs are, how to fix the damaged ones, and if its
really ok to delete them. Or "remove" them, as it says when you click on one.

Thanks.
Russell Munson
 
W

Wesley Vogel

Downloaded Program Files are ActiveX controls and Java applets downloaded
automatically from the Internet when you view certain pages. They are
temporarily stored in the Downloaded Program Files folder on your hard
disk.

Downloaded Program Files is a Hidden folder.

Internet Explorer | Tools | Internet Options |
General tab | Settings button | View Objects button |
Opens the C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files folder.

So does typing or pasting...
C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files
into Start | Run

Status displays whether the control is installed, damaged, or unplugged.
Damaged means that one or more of the dependency files has been deleted.
Unplugged means that an installation program has registered the .ocx file in
a location different from where the code download installed it.

Unless you have AutoCAD, there is nothing in Downloaded Program Files that
cannot be replaced simply by visiting the web page that you downloaded it
from in the first place. A Damaged DPF does no good what so ever. Remove
it. Half of what is in there is probably spyware anyway.

<quote>
By optimizing Internet Explorer, you can clear old files and settings that
may be causing conflicts and may be preventing you from connecting to the
Internet. To optimize Internet Explorer, follow these steps:
In Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
Click the General tab.
Click Settings.
Click View Objects.
Click View, and then click Details.
If Damaged appears in the Status column for any program file, remove that
program file.
Close the Downloaded Program Files dialog box.
In the Settings dialog box, click OK.
<quote>
from...
Error message when you try to access a Web site in Internet Explorer: "Page
Cannot Be Displayed"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326155

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
G

Guest

i see you replied to both of my posts. i was actually replied to in an
earlier post, that i was asking in the wrong section, or area of the
microsoft message boards, and so i copied the same post and re-posted it in
the two places youve replied to.

so let me thank you again, Wes. ive actually copied your fix and created a
notepad .txt message and have it in my documents, so that i can refer to it
if ever i need. or if ever someone ask ME about this thing.

i will give you all of the credit. i also copied your name and title. lol

thanks man

russell
 
W

Wesley Vogel

You're welcome, Russell.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
G

Guest

I have also run into this problem while trying to upload photos to Snapfish.
The page freezes and downloaded programs are damaged. deleting Snapfish
active-x and re-downloading does not help. Shockwave active-x is damaged and
connot be deleted. Help! No one seems to know whats going on. This is the
most insight i have seen so far.Thanks.
 
L

Leonard Grey

Russell:

"Downloaded Program Files" are also known as browser add-ons. This is
software you install that extends the capabilities of a browser.
Sometimes they take the form of a toolbar (a row of buttons that appear
in the browser frame) or a toolbar button (a button that get added to a
pre-existing toolbar) but they don't always have an interface.

Some of the better known add-ons are Flash and Java. ActiveX controls
also fall into this category

Deleting downloaded program files is not at all needed to "keep [your]
computer clean and working smoothly" - that was faulty advice. Moreover,
doing so can seriously interfere with your browsing experience if you
delete the objects for Java and Flash, for example. You would only
remove an add-on if you no longer want it, and then you have to be sure
you're uninstalling it correctly.

To see your Downloaded Program Files in IE 7, go to Tools > Internet
Options > General tab > Browsing history - Settings button > View
Objects button. Right-click on each object to view its Properties.

The correct method to remove a browser add-on depends on what add-on you
want to remove. Some can be simply deleted. Others need to be
uninstalled via Add or Remove Programs. Sometimes an add-on is a feature
of a program you installed, so you need to open the program to get rid
of it.

Mark:

Snapfish and Shockwave are two separate things. If you're having trouble
with Snapfish, contact their technical support. Now here's some
additional advice: Hijacking another's thread is considered bad form in
a newsgroup and can get you ignored if you do it often. And if you're
going to claim that "No one seems to know whats going on" you'd better
be prepared to prove it. Keep in mind that you are posting in a public
newsgroup where nobody is under any obligation to read your question or
volunteer an answer.
 
G

Guest

mark,
thanks to wesley i have repaired my damaged files in my program files.
i will tell you that i too use snapfish, and it is installed in my program
files, and i have no problems uploading photographs there.
shockwave and macromedia i have reinstalled many times on my computer.
you dont have to uninstall shockwave. (at least i have never had to)
just go to macromedia.com, downloads, and if your not automatically prompted
by windows to install the adobe flash player, install that. then, after you
have that installed, install the shockwave player.

also, as you begin this installation, your ie browser will probably pop open
a yellow security bar at the top, asking you if you want to run the active x
software to allow these programs to install. click yes to allowing the
active x software, then install the programs if a box pops up asking you to.
normally, if i remember correctly, you will know your shockwave and adobe
flash players are installed correctly when you see the words and images
moving on the webpage. and it should say "installation succesfull"
i hope you can follow this and i hope it helps

russell munson
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top