asked on

How do I repair my windows indexing for folders and also repair user profile folders to default values.

Good evening Experts,
I have just been repairing my computer from a malicious virus. I could not use virus/malware software (MalwareBtyes, Superantispyware, and Spyhunter, on my machine because the malware/virus disabled them, so I used BitDefenders Rescue usb to kill most of the problems. I finished off the rest of the malware/viruses using my regular software (MalwareBtyes, Superantispyware, and Spyhunter). The system stable except for a couple of issues:
1. My folder indexing does not work and I would like an expert to help me fix it. However I did download a free search program call everything and it is more robust than the Windows 10 index\search. I still need a solution for why the windows indexing\search is not letting me search inside of folders.
2. This second issue is more critical than the previous one. For some reason when I login to any of my accounts: THANOS, IMRIC , ADMINISTRATOR, the desktop icon for the user profile defaults to (Folders)

Any help the experts can give me will be appreciated.
Regards,
Regis Hyde (BlackTHanos)

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Andrew Leniart

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

BLACK THANOS

ASKER

Andrew your suggestion is kind of intrusive. I must admit that I have a lot of data that I cant afford to lose , so if I do try your solution , I will first clone my entire drive, just in case. I was hoping for a simpler solution, but we cant always get what we want. I've also notice that no one has each tried to tackle the second issue resulting for the unwanted viruses. Should I post it as a new question???

Regards,
BLACKTHANOS

BLACK THANOS

ASKER

Hi Andrew,
before I try your possible solution, I am going to rebuild the index via Windows 10. I didn't know it was an option. It will take several hours to perform , but I have a lot of time on my hands. Stay tuned..,..

Andrew Leniart

Andrew your suggestion is kind of intrusive. I must admit that I have a lot of data that I cant afford to lose , so if I do try your solution , I will first clone my entire drive, just in case.

Cloning or imaging a drive to give you a way back is always an excellent idea and I applaud you for your caution.

I've also notice that no one has each tried to tackle the second issue resulting for the unwanted viruses. Should I post it as a new question???

You're welcome to, but I suspect you'll get the same answers. The malicious Virus you've recovered from has clearly done serious damage to your system files and/or windows registry. In short, Windows needs repair, which is why I suggested an in-place Windows repair which is designed not to remove any of your installed software and settings.

Incidentally, just on the topic of recovering from a Virus, the only way to be 100% certain you have made your computer safe is to back the entire installation up with a system image using something like Acronis True Image or Macrium reflect (or similar), format the drive completely and install Windows 10 fresh.

Regardless of what anyone may tell you, after 20+ experience with professionally repairing computers (Windows in particular) there is "no way" to be absolutely certain that any recovery you've done, or whatever tools you've used (or may still use) will catch everything that Virus attack may have done or left on your system.

There could be an in the wild Time Bomb Trojan on your machine that no antivirus or antimalware know about as yet, so may remain undetected and fire up in the future causing you grief all over again. I too prefer not to have to go to such extremes as a clean re-install, but when a client wants a 100% guarantee from me that the infection they've asked me to deal with has been completely eradicated, then that is the only option I give them to satisfy their wish to be 100% sure of a clean system again.

Many take it up, many don't. All, however, must sign a disclaimer notice that neither I nor my company can guarantee a 100% clean system without that step. I do of course do my absolute best and use multiple tools to ensure a clean system after a repair if that's the way they've decided to go.

Food for thought.

Regards, Andrew

Andrew Leniart

before I try your possible solution, I am going to rebuild the index via Windows 10. I didn't know it was an option. It will take several hours to perform , but I have a lot of time on my hands. Stay tuned..

By all means.. though I'm almost certain that won't repair your other problem. (Desktop icon defaulting to Folders) That *is* a result of system damage that will need to be repaired.

Good luck.

Andrew

BLACK THANOS

ASKER

Great feedback Andrew,
I completely agree with all that you have said. In the past I have used deep-freeze to ensure that I can go back to a system that was clean. I used it for four years at the Boys & Girls Clubs across 400 workstations. I will be performing a Windows 10: Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade now that I have cloned my system correctly. Then , i will buy a copy of deep freeze , which I should have done in the first place.

Thanks for all your support.
Regards,
Regis (BLACKTHANOS) HYDE

P.S I have not used Experts-Exchange for close to a year and some changes have been made. How do I reward you the 500 points?

Andrew Leniart

Then , i will buy a copy of deep freeze , which I should have done in the first place.

Before you do that, check out this article about a competing product. The free edition may suit you. I've used it and it's actually very good.

https://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/31723/Public-Computer-no-worries-anymore.html

Read "all" the comments below it as well though. There's a couple of gotcha's if you intend to use it in the way that I did.

P.S I have not used Experts-Exchange for close to a year and some changes have been made. How do I reward you the 500 points?

It's recently been changed, but there's step by step instructions in the following tutorial you can follow.

http://support.experts-exchange.com/customer/en/portal/articles/2527982-how-do-i-close-my-question-

Thanks Black Thanos.

BLACK THANOS

ASKER

Great job Andrew.
Regards,
BLACKTHANOS

Andrew Leniart

You're very welcome BlackThanos. I was pleased to be able to help.

Regards, Andrew