HELP ! Browser disaster !!

[Ken Blake, MVP]

See the link PA Bear posted:

http://bertk.mvps.org:80/html/filesfolders.html

They are monitored (unless they are located in a non-monitored folder).

That essentially says the same thing I said. The monitored folders are
system folders. The application files are not in system folders and
are not monitored. It does not monitor "ALL exe, dll, com, and the
like, files."

 

[Bill in Co.]

That essentially says the same thing I said. The monitored folders are
system folders.

NOT only those, Ken. In fact, unless your monitored-type files (that list
is pretty extensive, and includes EXE, DLL, COM, etc) are in a personal
folder like My Docs, it IS monitored, to the extent that if it contains an
exe file that was added later, those files will be deleted after a System
Restore (more below - I know this from firsthand experience, too)

The application files are not in system folders and
are not monitored. It does not monitor "ALL exe, dll, com, and the
like, files."

Ken, check out the link I posted from the Microsoft web site. The exe and
dll files ARE indeed monitored, and NOT just in system folders.

You can do this test yourself: save some exe program file of your choice
anywhere you like on your HD, except in an unmonitored directory like My
Documents, then do a System Restore, and it WILL be removed. Again, I know
it from firsthand experience. Here is one of the MS links:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/.../en-us/app_system_restore_hss_understand.mspx

(from this link, on System Restore):
"For example, if you accidentally delete monitored program files (such as
files that have the .exe or .dll file name extensions), or monitored program
files become corrupted, you can restore your computer to a state that
existed before those changes occurred.

[ed note: this does not mean the exe file has to be in c:\program files!]

By default, System Restore monitors and restores all partitions and drives
on your computer. It also monitors all installations of applications or
drivers that users perform through delivery mechanisms such as CD-ROM,
floppy disk, Systems Management Server (SMS), or IntelliMirror.

Restores your computer without losing your personal files:
System Restore does not cause you to lose your personal files or password.
Items like documents, e-mail messages, browsing history, and the last
specified password are saved when you revert to an earlier state with System
Restore.

System Restore protects your personal files by not restoring any files in
the My Documents folder. It also does not restore any files that use common
data file name extensions, such as .doc or .xls. If you're not sure whether
your personal files use common data file name extensions, and you do not
want the data files to be affected by System Restore, save them in the My
Documents folder.

NOTE this last point. **If your personal files include program file types
like exe, you're out of luck unless you saved them in an unmonitored folder
like My Documents! (by out of luck I mean SR will remove them after a
restore operation, if they were added after that)

 

[Daave]

Trying to untangle this web...


Okay, this is the beginning of the misunderstanding.

System Restore does not monitor *all* of those files because *most* of
these files are normally in non-monitored folders. The example I gave in
another post was an .exe file (e.g., and installation file for a program
you wish to install) saved to the desktop. That file *would* be
monitored. And if you ran System Restore, choosing a point before you
downloaded this .exe file, it would indeed be deleted (because the
Desktop is monitored). However, if you had instead downloaded this .exe
file to "My Documents," it would be safe (since that location is *not*
monitored).

So "Bill in Co." is incorrect. (Or he is not totally correct.) The
reason: System Restore does not monitor *all* those files mentioned
(including .exe files). They only get monitored if they are in folders
that get monitored.

No, it doesn't do this at all. It's *System* Restore. What it monitors
is *system* files only. Application files like exes, dlls, etc. are
not monitored.

And Ken is also incorrect (at least partially). Those files *are*
mointored, but then again, provided they are located in folders that get
monitored. Source:

http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html

 

[Bill in Co.]

Trying to untangle this web...



Okay, this is the beginning of the misunderstanding.

System Restore does not monitor *all* of those files because *most* of
these files are normally in non-monitored folders. The example I gave in
another post was an .exe file (e.g., and installation file for a program
you wish to install) saved to the desktop. That file *would* be
monitored. And if you ran System Restore, choosing a point before you
downloaded this .exe file, it would indeed be deleted (because the
Desktop is monitored). However, if you had instead downloaded this .exe
file to "My Documents," it would be safe (since that location is *not*
monitored).

So "Bill in Co." is incorrect. (Or he is not totally correct.) The
reason: System Restore does not monitor *all* those files mentioned
(including .exe files). They only get monitored if they are in folders
that get monitored.

And that's precisely the point, or one of the main points I was trying to
say.
To restate:
MOST folders on your HD *are*, in fact, monitored - the rare exception is in
the My Documents arena. Anything you save in a normal folder that you
create or use EXCEPT in the Documents and Settings area like in My
Documents, WILL be monitored for any changes to those monitored file types.

And Ken is also incorrect (at least partially). Those files *are*
mointored, but then again, provided they are located in folders that get
monitored.

Which are, in fact, MOST folders on your HD, except as noted above.

In case anybody is a Doubting Thomas, I'd suggest you try it out with some
test files (exe type) saved in ANY folder on your HD except the one noted
above (under Documents and Settings as noted above). Try it. Create a
folder C:\Temp and put some in there, do a System Restore, and see what's
left when you come back after Restore. (N.B.: .doc and .txt files and
similar are untouched, of course)

 

[incredable 1]

I encountered the exact same problem 2 days ago. Just as you stated your
problem. I scanned my computer with every antispyware, antivirus, antimalware
program I have, (and I have many) to clear it up, to no avail. Then I used
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and it uncovered at least 15 trojans. I had them
deleted and presto.. my computer is back to normal, all browsers working as
they did before. Try it.. hope it helps.