July 2007
Monthly Archive
Reg Sweep
Posted by pcfix on 24 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: registry fix, registryfix, registry cleaner, registry, windows, program, software
Promising a complete scan in less than 2 minutes and 100% satisfaction guaranteed, RegSweep is setting its targets high in winning over the PC clean-up software market.
But is the product good enough to clean-up the market, so to speak?
Well, first things first. It should be noted that RegSweep is a genuine product offering a genuine service that lives up to its word. Doesn’t sound like a lot, does it? But given the ridiculous number of spyware infested “cleaning utilities”, it’s an immediate feather in the cap for the RegSweep developers.
The software comes with the scanning features that you’d expect, and is presented in an easy to understand interface. The icons are big, the colours are bright and you won’t find any computer terms that’d send a chill down the spine of a technophobe.
Registry clean-up utilities seem to be built on the same principle these days; to make it as easy as possible for the beginner to use. After all, that’s the market that they’re expecting to corner. Those of us foolish enough to let our poor registries gather dust and corruptions over months on end!
A single click will have RegSweep scanning for stray DLL files, invalid registry entries and a whole host of errors. True to its word, RegSweep does operate much faster than its rivals. The scan is complete in a matter of minutes and you’ll be presented with a list of problems, assuming that you actually have some (and we all do if we’ve resorted to downloading a system clean-up package!)
RegSweep may be quick, but it isn’t as effective in terms of detecting errors. Other utilities found notably more errors, leading us to believe that the software isn’t equipped with the same array of libraries as its rivals. Maybe the developers are too keen to keep that scan under the 2 minute mark, but it leaves a little to be desired.
On the plus side, there is an option to retrieve updated library files from the application’s online database. You can download these updates and – in theory – stay on top of more recent corruptions - whether that’s enough to boost RegSweep to the same level of performance as its direct rivals remains in doubt.
RegSweep isn’t all about fixing errors though. It works to boost your general PC performance by the tried and tested start-up management. Whenever you load your PC, you’ll notice that if you’ve left it to gather plenty of programs, the boot process takes considerably longer. Simple reason for this; the system is having to load more drivers and applications.
By using RegSweep’s in-built start-up manager, you can deselect any applications that aren’t required when Windows loads up. It sounds like a small touch, and it is – you can still manage the start-up processes without RegSweep – but you’ll notice a great difference when you get rid of all those useless programs.
Generally speaking, RegSweep is well worth a try if you’re sick of clean-up utilities that constantly fail to deliver on what they’ve been promising.
While it isn’t the best solution on the market, it will clean a lot of the registry errors that you are currently encountering, and runs as smoothly as any of the competition. Visit the RegSweep website for a free download and trial period.
Next Step:
RegSweep Website
Registry Smart
Posted by pcfix on 24 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: registry cleaner, registry fix, registryfix, registry smart, pop ups, registry, windows, security, program, software
The Internet is filled to the rafters with PC fixing software, and more worryingly, adware utilities that claim to be of use to your computer. While there are many hundreds of these programs in circulation, we’re pleased to say that Registry Smart is one of genuine utilities that can be obtained. And a very useful utility it is.
As we use a Microsoft Windows operating system, we are constantly writing new entries to the registry. This is where all the information for a system and its hardware devices is stored. As such, damage or corruption to the registry can result in a remarkably reduced performance.
In short, Registry Smart automates the process which you’d otherwise be paying a computer techie obscene money-per-hour to fix. It is a one click “scan n fix” utility, and it can be downloaded free from the RegistrySmart.com website.
While the software is free to install with a working trial period – where you can fix a limited number of problems – you will need to upgrade to a registered version to reap the full benefits.
What benefits are we talking here?
You’ll notice quite a few once you load up the program and run your first system scan!
Registry Smart is capable of fixing problems ranging from corrupt application paths, to dead files, to unused programs. You’ll be able to weed out bad file association types, and even scan your font database for problems. As you can see below, the utility provides comprehensive coverage of the main Windows registry concerns.
The real benefit with a program like this is the sheer automation of it all. Yes, it’s true; we could do our research and go through fixing every last problem. But when you have 443 errors like above, you could be sitting at your computer desk all day. Not to mention, editing the Windows Registry at any time without precise knowledge of what you’re changing is extremely dangerous.
In fact, we would highly recommend that you spend as little time in the Windows Registry making manual changes as possible. It only takes one small slip to lock you out of your entire operating system, and that requires technical assistance beyond the scope of this article.
Registry Smart handles all of the technical instructions with the click of one button. Scan your system and let the utility highlight the problems that it finds. Fixing them is just as easy once you’re upgraded to the full package.
Registry Smart draws on its “one click to fix” motto and makes the process as easy as possible for even the greatest of technophobes. You’ll be loading up Windows with a squeaky clean registry in a matter of minutes.
There are a few errors which the Registry Smart utility has trouble fixing, but in general, it’s a very useful tool which every system can benefit from having.
Registry Smart isn’t restricted to scanning and fixing though. It can also restore and backup your registry.
As we’ve already said, the Windows registry is absolutely paramount to the operation of a Microsoft system. If something goes wrong with it, you’re looking at serious problems that’ll need fixing. By backing up the key registry entries, and indeed the registry itself, we can assure that we have something to fall back on if we’re ever faced with a registry corruption.
Registry Smart takes care of this – once again – with the click of a single button. It couldn’t be any easier. And that’s the pattern that we can see emerging with the Registry Smart software as a whole.
It might not have the commercial packaging of the enterprise solutions on the market, but it is extremely effective at what it does. And being simple enough for just about anybody with a mouse to work, we recommend it highly.
Next Step:
Registry Smart Website
Regcure PC Optimizer
Posted by pcfix on 23 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: program, registry, registry cleaner, registry fix, browser, internet explorer, computer, software, windows, internet
Scan, Repair and Optimize your PC!
This is the optimistic tagline of RegCure, one of many registry cleaning software packages vying for our attention in a very competitive market. But where other utilities come ridden with spyware and ad junk, RegCure sets itself apart as a legitimate contender.
Available to download for free from the RegCure.com website, the utility packs quite the unexpected punch for such a lightweight app. At just over 1mb in size, it certainly won’t be clustering your hard drive to the hilt. But good things can come in small packages, and RegCure proves it so.
First things first, we should note that while RegCure is free to download, it isn’t strictly free to use. You will need to register before you can fix the sizable chunk of errors that the program is likely to report. The trial version allows a maximum of five errors to be fixed. And unless you unwrapped your copy of Microsoft Windows in the last five minutes, this is going to leave some of the problems untreated.
The utility is simplified to cater for absolute beginners with its “one click to a finish” system. But while beginners will be able to make use of the software, so will the computer gurus at the other end of the market. RegCure is excellent at what it does, so what does it do?
It gives a remarkable boost to your PC performance. The application tackles all issues related to corruption of the Windows registry. Anybody who has spent a reasonable amount of time looking in to Windows problems will be aware that many of the errors we encounter are down to an untidy registry, corrupted or otherwise.
For a typical user to go in and reverse the necessary changes to restore a healthy registry, you could set aside a day or two. Errors are a pain to fix, and you really have to know what you’re doing as a bad edit could lock you out of the system completely.
This, of course, leads us to the benefits of RegCure. The utility is designed specifically to automate the process of cleaning a Windows registry. It will fix the outdated entries, remove the invalid data, and clean out anything and everything that you don’t need. Just follow the simple three step process and you will be left with an overview of the errors that RegCure detected.
Once you’ve selected the problems you wish to fix, it’s another one click process to let RegCure take care of the bad registry entries.
To label the utility as a one trick pony would be easy, but let’s not forget some of the additional services that RegCure offers. You will find a comprehensive registry back-up and restore feature. This winds a system back to a saved registry, and allows you to protect your current system in the event of corruption.
There is also the ability to adjust the programs that run when you launch your operating system. More experienced users will be aware that this is configurable through the Windows system itself, but RegCure presents the options nice and clearly for those who haven’t encountered the start up wizard before.
Many would argue that there’s no such thing as a totally clean Windows registry, and they’d be partially correct. But with RegCure you can ensure that your registry is kept and looked after. This in turn will produce a noticeable boost to your system performance. If that’s your goal, head on over to the RegCure website and take a look for yourself. We recommend the software highly.
Next Step:
Download RegCure PC Optimizer
Registry Fix
Posted by pcfix on 23 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: registry cleaner, registry fix, registryfix, registry, program, software, windows, operating system, computer
Registry Fix is reaping the benefit of being a rare find in the PC clean-up utility market. While other software developers are focusing on blindsiding their customers with spyware and hidden junk, Registry Fix does what it says on the tin; it fixes your registry.
And we’re pleased to report, it does it competently.
Bereft of the glossy presentation that you’ll find in some of its rival applications, Registry Fix isn’t particularly attractive on the eye. It has a simple interface with image icons used to navigate between the various scans and configurations. That said, this utility is perfectly suitable to the beginner user. If you can manage a mouse click to scan, and a mouse click to repair, this utility won’t be giving you sleepless nights.
Are you receiving those dreaded blue screens of death? DLL errors? How about unpredictable system errors that take the liberty to pop-up as they so please?
Well, if you’re suffering from any of the above, a quick scour with the scanning feature of Registry Fix will highlight the problems. Instead of going in and fixing each individual error ourselves, we can automate the process with this handy utility. You wouldn’t want to be accessing the Windows Registry on a regular basis in any case. It’s remarkably complex and worryingly sensitive to the slightest change.
Registry Fix will check the integrity of your system and report back with its findings in a rather uncomplicated fashion.
New users will be pleased by the lack of obtuse technical terms. If you’re not technologically inclined, it’s much easier to deal with the terms “Error” and “Fix”. But for those wanting a more conclusive rundown of what these errors actually are, you might want to look elsewhere. Registry Fix tells you that it’s about to fix something, but it’s not always great for telling you what’s wrong!
Furthermore, you will need to make the upgrade to a registered version of the program if you seriously want to clean your system. Expect to find hundreds of errors when scanning a system which has been left to its own devices for anything longer than a month. The nature of the trial period means that you’ll be able to fix some, but only a tiny percentage – we’re talking a couple percent!
Registry Fix comes with several add-on features which make it stand out from other software packages, without ever revolutionizing the market.
You will find the Browser Helper Object Manager, a neat little tool which is capable of eliminating third party toolbar add-ons when you browse the Internet. Unsolicited add-ons, at least.
There’s also a tool to keep on top of the programs that start when you load up your operating system. Have you noticed that it seems to be taking longer than it did when you brought it home from the store for the first time? That’s because as time goes by, Windows accrues many, many additional files and configurations which combine to slow down the system if left to load on boot. Registry Fix gives you full control of the programs that will load when you sign on. Experienced users will be aware that this is possible through Windows, but Registry Fix highlights the capability for those who don’t have full grasp of the technical side.
To top things off, we have a comprehensive back-up/restore suite – an absolute must for any respectable registry cleaning application. This ensures that you can back-up your registry in the event of a virus or self inflicted corruption (it happens!).
Registry Fix isn’t particularly flash, but it does its job. And where registry cleaning software is concerned, that’s all we care about!
Next Step:
Download Registry Fix
How to fix Runtime Errors
Posted by pcfix on 18 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: error, operating system, windows, computer, hardware
What is a runtime error? A runtime error is an error that is created during the execution of an application that is being run on a computer. There are many different causes of runtime errors and a few things that you can do to try and resolve the problem.
There are a few common causes of a runtime error. They include a conflict with another application that is running on the computer, an issue with the software itself, a computer virus that has changed settings and is taking up memory resources or an issue with the memory in your computer itself. If you are getting a runtime error with an error code number, be sure to look it up on the internet so that you have a better understanding of what has caused the problem.
If there is no error code associated with the runtime error that you have received, or the information did not help you in understanding the problem, there are a few things that you can do to try and correct the issue. First and easiest is to use the task manager in your Windows operating system to close all running applications other than the one you are trying to use. This will correct runtime errors that occur as a result of two different applications conflicting with each other. If you are using the Windows 95 or Windows 98 operating system and closing all applications does not solve the problem, you can also check to be sure that there are no applications being loaded in the autoexec.bat and config.sys files. If you do not know how to do this, you can find a tutorial online.
If you still are having the runtime error it is likely that there is a problem with the software that is having the errors. You will want to check with the company that has created the software to make sure that there are no updates or fixes that they have made to correct these problems. If there are not any updates, you can try and correct the problem by uninstalling and reinstalling the application that you are having troubles with. Unfortunately, this means that if the runtime errors are occurring within your operating system, you may need to reinstall Windows. Runtime errors may also be caused by add-on software that is used by the program. If you do have add-ons or plug-ins installed for the application that is giving you errors, try uninstalling them to be sure that they are not the cause.
A computer virus can also cause runtime errors on your computer. This is because they often will change your system settings and tamper with the memory in your computer. Be sure that you have an antivirus application running on your computer and that it has been updated to the most recent level so that it is able to protect you from attacks by computer viruses
If you have tried everything above and are still getting the runtime error it is possible that the problem lies within the memory or other hardware installed in your computer. You should be sure the contact the company that has designed the software you are using and if there are no solutions you are going to have to contact the manufacturer of your computer hardware for recommendations or service.
How to get rid of www.regproscan.com
Posted by pcfix on 17 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: pop ups, registry cleaner, regproscan, malware, program, windows, spyware, Uncategorized
RegProScan.com is a website which claims to offer a comprehensive free scan of your hard drive to highlight registry errors and boost the performance of your system. In actual fact it is a fraudulent source of malware which will leave you with more problems than you had before you started!So how can this be so? Surely you’d know if you were downloading corruptive malware on to your system, right? Unfortunately, many users are oblivious to the means in which third party scammers will go about getting their adware on to our systems. What looks like an innocuous scanning utility is actually adware in disguise. When we download and install it, the hacker has succeeded in finding a platform for his advertisements – which more often than not, are used against us from the outset.This is exactly the case with RegProScan. After the user has completed a “free” scan of the registry, the software will return a list of errors and an ultimate solution to fix them all. The solution will typically involve buying an application to fix the problems via the same website that ran the scan. In other cases, affiliates websites will be used or sites that are run by the same owners.This would be fair enough if the program actually delivered what it said. We can’t speak negatively of web services which offer a free scan and then a paid solution – as long as it isn’t taking advantage of the unwitting user.
However, in the case of RegProScan.com, the same can’t be said. Here is a website which will plant errors and adware pop-ups on your system, just so that it can advertise a fix for them! But the fix isn’t anything that the developers have worked tirelessly on. The fix serves only to remove the adware pop-ups from the desktop.
They will look like this;
STOP! WINDOWS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
Windows has found 55 Critical System Errors.
To fix the errors please do the following:
1. Download Registry Update from: www.regproscan.com
2. Install Registry Update
3. Run Registry Update
4. Reboot your computer
FAILURE TO ACT NOW MAY LEAD TO SYSTEM FAILURE!
Now put yourself in the shoes of somebody who doesn’t have the greatest knowledge of malware threats and the methods used by hackers to attack a system. It’s quite a warning, especially when it comes via the in-built Windows Messenger Service. This means that the error is dressed to look like it comes from Windows rather than an Internet pop-up, which most people are accustomed to dealing with.
It’s easy to get rid of the problem, but you have to be able to detect it in the first place. Unfortunately, many people are taken back by the explicit warnings and do exactly as the scammers have planned. They go to the web sites and download the software to fix the problem. The pop-ups will disappear, but the malware will remain in place. This opens up other opportunities for hackers to attack the system. And of course, the poor soul sat at their desktop has just paid to get rid of the pop-ups that they unwillingly added when they ran the free scan.
To put it bluntly, RegProScan.com is a waste of your time, and a waste of lot of money from its scamming ways. With any luck, the website will be pulled down shortly. Until then, mark it down on your blacklist and avoid at all costs.
Next Step:
More information: Genuine Registry Cleaners
How to get rid of www.patchupdate.info
Posted by pcfix on 17 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: pop ups, registry cleaner, malware, program, security, spyware, windows
PatchUpdate.info is an illegal website which takes money from unsuspecting users in exchange for Microsoft patches which can be downloaded from the actual Microsoft website for free.It is also closely tied in to several other similar websites which place adware on the user’s computer. The adware triggers pop-ups on the desktop insisting that the system is in critical danger and that a fix is needed.And yes, you guessed it. That fix comes at a price. In the case of PatchUpdate.info, the price is $20. It might not sound much for a fix to your computer woes, but what you probably don’t realise is that the problems it will fix are caused by running a free scan in the first place! It has nothing to do with the state that your computer was in before you decided to run the original scan.The third party hackers work tirelessly to place these pop-ups on our computers in the hope that a percentage of the recipients will be naïve enough to believe that having away with their money will resolve the original problems. The pop-ups will disappear, but the malware is still there. This isn’t good at all. In fact, it can leave a system vulnerable to further attacks from more sophisticated hackers.It has been speculated that PatchUpdate.info also dumps a pile of spyware on the user’s system. Unlike the pop-ups, this will NOT disappear when you pay for the patch.So why would anybody pay for the match in the first place? Well, when you visit the website, it’s easy to see why; cyber scaremongering at its best.See the technical description on the PatchUpdate.info website:“A security vulnerability exists in the Microsoft® Messenger Service that could allow arbitrary code execution on an affected system. The vulnerability results because the Messenger Service does not properly validate the length of a message before passing it to the allocated buffer.
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could be able to run code with Local System privileges on an affected system, or could cause the Messenger Service to fail. The attacker could then take any action on the system, including installing programs, viewing, changing or deleting data, or creating new accounts with full privileges.”
Of course, what the website fails to mention is that the security has ALREADY been breached when the same company exploited the same security gap to place their pop-ups on your system.
In short, you’re paying to uninstall their corruptive software!
If you are suffering from pop-ups directing you to download the patch, don’t pay attention to the “advice”. Look instead for an anti-malware package which will scan your system and remove the infestation. This is the best way to get rid of the pop-ups AND the software behind them.
Other methods such as disabling the Windows Messenger Service or upgrading to Windows XP Service Pack 2 are viable, but they won’t completely remove the problem.
Always be suspicious when the Windows Messenger Service tells you to visit a blatant third party website. The messenger service has its own use, and that most certainly isn’t to recommend you to random websites across the web. Just think, would Microsoft really include that in their operating systems? We think not!
PatchUpdate.info is surely living on borrowed time before a Microsoft lawsuit. But until then, we suggest that you ignore the false claims of security breaches and protect yourself with a genuine anti-virus suite.
Next Step:
Learn more about genuine Registry Cleaners
How to fix Print Spooler problems
Posted by pcfix on 15 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: program, operating system, windows
The print spooler is an application on your Windows operating system that manages all the print jobs that are sent to the printers or print server. This program will allow a user to delete print jobs, or manage them by pausing, restarting or changing the priority of certain print jobs that are waiting to be printed.If there are problems with the print spooler service it usually means that a printer driver is defective or corrupt. If this occurs, the print spooler service may not run and you will not see anything in your Printers and Faxes folder. You will also not be able to add or remove and printers while the print spooler service is not running.Be sure that you always install only the printer drivers that are intended for your operating system. If you are using a more current operating system such as Windows Vista, be sure to check carefully for the proper drivers on the companies website if they are not provided on the CD you have received with the printer. Also be sure that if you are upgrading your operating system, that you uninstall all printers and printer drivers before performing the upgrade to prevent problems resulting from the wrong version of printer drivers.
If the print spooler service is not running, you will not be able to uninstall any printers using the Control Panel or the Printers and Faxes window. One option for completing this task is to download and run the clanspl.exe utility that is found in the Windows Resource Kit Tools. This program does and excellent job of removing print spooler items, but will not remove the print spooler service dependency on any Lexmark services. You can use this program remotely to remove the print spooler items on another computer remotely and when you run the utility, it will ask you if you would like to remove a few things that are installed by default in Windows. It is recommended that you answer No to these questions.
Once you have successfully cleaned up the print spooler on your computer using the cleanspl.exe utility, you should be able to reboot your computer and then reinstall any printers that you wish to use. Be sure that you are careful when selecting the printer drivers so that you do not install any drivers that are not intended for the operating system that you are using.
If you are having problems with the cleanspl.exe utility, or enjoy managing things on your own, there are a few excellent tutorials that can be found online to help you clean up the print spooler on your own. Just be careful when performing these steps as some of them involve editing the Windows registry, which can cause more problems if it is not done correctly.
How to fix Outlook Express problem
Posted by pcfix on 15 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: registry cleaner, error, internet explorer, windows, software
What happens when you are working on your computer and out of the blue your Outlook Express email program starts acting funny? You expect the worst - that you are going to have to delete your email account and set it up all over again, loosing all of your critical emails from important clients. Hold on just a second though, there are some techniques that can help you to get back on your feet in no time!
First of all, as with any problem with a computer application, you should just try a nice and simple restart of your windows operating system. Many people are skeptical of this “reboot” technique, but what you don’t realize is that improperly closed files, memory corruption and damage to system files can often be corrected by doing this simple step. Of course, if this does not resolve your issue, you are going to have to work a little harder to get going again.
Before you start, close all the open programs that you have running on your computer other than Outlook Express and Internet Explorer. Now that you have done that, you will want to navigate to Tools and then Internet Options in your Internet Explorer Browser. After selecting the Temporary Internet Files panel, select Delete Files and follow the prompts to clear all the Temporary Internet Files on your computer. Be sure that when going through these steps that you select the check box to delete all offline files.
What the heck? Why are you deleting files in Internet Explorer if you are having problems with your Outlook Express program! Well, each time a message is displayed in Outlook Express, the application will create a temporary file to help it display the message’s contents. This file is saved in the Temporary Internet Files folder on your system and corrupt temporary files for Outlook may be causing your problem!
If you are still having troubles with your Outlook Express application, you may wish to try compacting all the Outlook Express folders. To do this you will want to select File and then Work Offline. This is to prevent any new messages arriving while your computer is compacting your old messages. Then you are going to want to select File and then Folder. Finally select Compact all folders and do not use your computer until the process has finished. If an error occurs at this point you will want to reboot your computer and then try the process again. The reason this may resolve your issues is that Outlook Express stores a message index in a file called Folders.dbx. If there are problems with this file, Outlook Express is not going work properly. When Outlook Express compacts the folders, it also updates this file, causing any errors to be corrected with the new values.
If you are still having issues, the next thing that you will want to attempt is to reregister Outlook Express. This will cause Outlook Express to rewrite its registry keys on your Windows registry and this will correct issues related to incorrect registry values for Outlook Express. To accomplish this, you will need to navigate to Start and then Run on your desktop. Type in msimn / reg and then select the OK button. In the Internet Explorer window that pops up on your screen, select the Tools menu and then Options. Now you will need to select the Programs tab and select Outlook Express as the default email client.
There are also DLL files that may be causing issues in your Outlook Express program. You can reregister them, or correct any errors in them by navigating to Start and then selecting Run. Type in regsvr32 urlmon.dll and then click on the OK button. You will need to repeat these steps and also run the following commands: regsvr32 mshtml.dll, regsvr32 shdocvw.dll, regsvr32 browseui.dll and regsvr32 msjava.dll.
If you have attempted the solutions above and are still having problems with your Outlook Express program, then you really only have three options remaining. You can export your messages from the current email account and then create a new Identity and import the messages into it. This is of course if your Outlook Express application is running well enough to accomplish this without errors. You may also need to reinstall or repair your Outlook Express Application. However this may cause you to lose all of your messages or contacts. Finally, you can try a third party Outlook Express repair program found on the Internet.
How to fix LNK file problem
Posted by pcfix on 15 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: error, windows, software
An LNK file is a Windows shortcut file. This Windows shortcut will point to an EXE file somewhere on your computer so that you can easily start that program from places such as the Windows desktop. This comes in real handy unless the LNK file stops working properly for some reason.There are a few things that can cause an LNK file to stop working. Generally it is the result of an anti-malware program that has changed the EXE association on your computer. The association for the LNK file can also become corrupt within the Windows registry.
Before you start messing around with the Windows registry there are a few things to try. Start out by opening and Explorer window and then clicking on Tools, Folder Options and then the File Types tab. Check the list that appears on your computer screen and make sure that EXE is not listed. If it is you will need to edit it by changing the association to application. If it is not there then you will want to create a new entry in the list named EXE and pick application for the association. Then there should be a Restore button that you can select. Click on this and your problems should be fixed. If the Restore button does not appear on your screen, it means that there is no problem on your system. If this method did not solve your problems you are going to have to dig around a bit in the Windows registry.
Be sure to backup your registry before you start as a precaution. If you do not know how to do this, you can find instructions online. Once you have a good backup of your registry, there are two ways that you can change your registry to attempt a fix for this problem. The suggested and easier way is to download a REG file for the fix. Be sure that you get the proper REG file for the operating system that you are using as an error here can render your computer useless.
Once you have obtained the proper REG file you will need to start the registry editor. The easiest way to do this is to double click on your downloaded REG file and select yes to merge it into your Windows registry. This will solve the EXE associations, but sometimes may not correct the LNK associations in the registry. If this is the case, there is one more step that you will need to complete to solve the problem.
Now open the folder options again by opening an explorer window and then selecting Tools, Folder Options and the File Types tab. Scroll to LNK should be in the list that is displayed on your monitor and see if it is there. It should not be there and you will need to add it. When adding LNK to the list, be sure to select Shortcut in the Association box. Now restart your computer, and everything should be back to normal.
