Program Files directory gone in Windows Explorer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dan Barham
  • Start date Start date
D

Dan Barham

In the last week or two the"Program Files" folder icon is gone in Windows
Explorer. Don't know the exact time it disappeared but it's not there now.
Is there a way to restore this icon? Right now I've no way to review the
contents of that directory. Tried Google but no luck. Help!

Thanks, Dan
 
add said:
In the last week or two the"Program Files" folder icon is gone in
Windows Explorer. Don't know the exact time it disappeared but it's
not there now. Is there a way to restore this icon? Right now I've no
way to review the contents of that directory. Tried Google but no
luck. Help!
Click to expand...

The First Question Of Troubleshooting: what changed between the time
things worked and the time they didn't?

The Second Question of Windows Troubleshooting: what is the
malware/virus status of the machine? If you think it is clean, what
programs (and versions) did you use to determine this?

In your case, I'd answer the Second Question first. ;-)

Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Include scanning with either Sysclean or Multi_AV, plus Ewido. Do all
prep/finishing work and follow instructions to do all scans in Safe
Mode.

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a professional
computer repair shop (not your local version of BigStoreUSA).

Malke
 
Thanks for the response. No, there is no malware, viruses, etc., on this
machine but I did restore back to a week ago and, lo and behold, the Program
Files directory was back.

I think I know what I did to cause the condition although I'm not
knowledgeable enough to know why it happened. Last week I installed one of
those Windows Explorer replacements. you know, the dual pane explorers that
have many additional features. I didn't particularly find it worthwhile and
so I uninstalled it. Well, somehow it knocked out the Program Files folder
during the uninstall. How do I know; I used the restore point I added just
before installing the application and that was the one that corrected the
issue.

Live and learn. If you're going to experiment with these applications be
aware that they will most likely have some unforseen consequences.

Dan
 
add said:
Thanks for the response. No, there is no malware, viruses, etc., on
this machine but I did restore back to a week ago and, lo and behold,
the Program Files directory was back.

I think I know what I did to cause the condition although I'm not
knowledgeable enough to know why it happened. Last week I installed
one of those Windows Explorer replacements. you know, the dual pane
explorers that have many additional features. I didn't particularly
find it worthwhile and so I uninstalled it. Well, somehow it knocked
out the Program Files folder during the uninstall. How do I know; I
used the restore point I added just before installing the application
and that was the one that corrected the issue.

Live and learn. If you're going to experiment with these applications
be aware that they will most likely have some unforseen consequences.
Click to expand...

Glad you got it sorted. Thanks for posting the solution. It was smart of
you to make the restore point - that's exactly what System Restore was
meant to do: unwind from an immediate error.

Malke
 
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