Is this a virus? Or something else?

When I double click programs on the desktop, they do not open. The icon just dims out. I also cannot open programs selecting them from the start menu. However, in either case, if I right click and choose "Open" they'll open.

MalwareBytes found and removed some malware, but that didn't fix this, and Microsoft Security Essentials came up negative on viruses (Scans were done in safe mode), but I'm not completely convinced. The only other thing out of the ordinary I did was remove some programs downloaded by my cousin. System Restore didn't fix it either. Oh, and this problem does not happen in safe mode.

Do I need a better (free) antivirus? Reformat? .-.

[COLOR="blue"]Not sure what's happening, but when I had a rootkit problem where others were telling me to reformat, people at techspot.com fixed it.
If you don't get any other advice, you could try there after. D: [/COLOR]

Avast! Avast! Avast!

I tell people "f`uck Microsoft Security Essentials" but they still get it.

You should run Hijack This. Save the logfile, and copy/paste the contents in this thread.

When I try to run hijackthis. Going to try Avast...


Hoping I can get away without a reformat, because if I do that then I have to track down every driver I need for the computer again...and I'd hate to miss a driver/install the wrong one.

Yep, sounds like malware. Possibly something that changed the handler for .exe files. Removing malware does not undo any damage it caused. This might be fixable by editing the registry in safe mode, but I think a fresh OS install is your best bet.

Totally not sure on this, but I think using Windows 7 or Vista could have prevented this because the malware would have needed admin rights to modify that part of the registry and if a strange program asks for elevated permissions, you're not going to say yes...right?

Also, +1 for DFOCP on desktop.

Oh boy...well, thank you for the replies. when I get back later tonight, I may need to edit this thread title for help installing the correct drivers >_> Was certainly a royal pain the first time.

EDIT: Suddenly...



I wonder what else I haven't found yet.

Don't just start reformatting. That's what people jump to when they don't know how to fix your problem. For that installer popup, that's a common issue when you haven't been updating windows, not just when malware strikes. Follow this M$ fix for it, then restart. Once you do that, try to run hijackthis, but don't post the results here. Post them to a forum that regularly deals with those logs and isn't going to steer you wrong (techspot. No offense to SP but this is no place for people to be advising you on the results of HJT.

Number 2: Stop running multiple 'always on' antivirus programs. If you're gonna use avast, stop using security essentials and vice versa. They just cause headaches for each other most of the time. That said, I'd keep using malwarebytes WITH avast. That's the setup on most of my pc's and it's worked great for keeping them clean. Run a full scan with a fully updated avast and remove anything it finds.

When you right click, do you have to click open with, or just open? Try going to start menu->run and type "mspaint.exe" and see if it opens. Let me know the results.