Windows 7 Files disappear after download (.exe, .msi, .zip, etc...)

[ehart]

Today, my Windows 7 system stopped allowing me to SAVE .EXE and .MSI files to my hard drive. It appears that I am able to download the complete files, however as soon as it completed the download, the files disappears from my hard drive.
This happens with both IE and Firefox, with Windows firewall on and off.

I was attempting to re-install FREE AVG, however I cannot save the install file. So I then tried to save the beta version of ESET, and I cannot save the .MSI file.

Again, as soon as the download is complete, the files disappear from the hard drive.

I have tried unsuccessfully to download .EXE, .ZIP, .MSI file types…

Any help would be greatly appreciated!


**** 02/27/2009 UPDATE ****

The Free AVG uninstall did not remove everything and there were references to AVG over the OS. The thing that gave me a clue, was while installing ESET, a dialog box during the install, told me that AVG was still installed. This was true, since after the AVG uninstall, there were two services still installed.

After much research, I deleted all AVG related files from the hard drive and registry, which there were a lot, go figure.

After deleting all references to AVG and another reboot, I was able save files again.
I then downloaded and installed ESET Beta without any issues…

Eric

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you encountered a peculiar issue on your Windows 7 system where you were unable to save .EXE and .MSI files to your hard drive. The fact that the downloaded files disappeared after completion is indeed unusual. The steps you took to resolve the issue by investigating the remnants of the Free AVG antivirus software and removing them to enable file saving capabilities again were quite on point. Antivirus programs, especially when not fully uninstalled, can interfere with various system functions. Given that the issue was related to remnants of AVG interfering with your downloads, it's essential to ensure complete removal of any software components before installing alternatives. Here are a few additional steps you can take to prevent similar issues in the future: 1. Ensure Complete Uninstall: When uninstalling software, always check for any leftover files or registry entries that might be causing conflicts. You can use tools like CCleaner to clean up residual registry entries after uninstalling software. 2. Temporarily Disable Antivirus: Sometimes, antivirus programs can mistakenly flag certain downloads as threats, leading to their removal. Temporarily disabling the antivirus before downloading critical files can help ensure that the downloads complete successfully. 3. Check Download Settings: Verify your browser's download settings to ensure that downloads are being saved to the intended location on your hard drive. 4. Running Malware Scans: After resolving the issue, it's a good practice to run thorough malware scans using tools like Malwarebytes to ensure no malicious software is causing the disappearance of files. By following these additional steps, you can help prevent similar issues in the future and ensure a smooth downloading experience on your Windows 7 system. If you encounter any further issues or require more assistance, feel free to ask!