Windows 7 Windows cannot find setup.exe

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Peter Afonin

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Feb 29, 2012
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Hello,

I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit.

I cannot install some programs that have to beusing setup.exe (if I use msi installer - it's OK, but some programs like Adobe Photoshop Elements must be installed using setup.exe). When I click on setup.exe, I'm instantly getting a message that this file cannot be found.

This is not a problem with the particular program, but with many. Also, couple months ago I didn't have these problems with the same programs. I've tried Microsoft FixIt - didn't help. I don't know when this happened, but at least two months ago, so I cannot even use the restore point.

I'd also ran SFC /scannow, it fixed some problems, but not this one.

What could be wrong here? Are there any ways to fix this besided re-installing Windows?

Thank you.
 
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Solution
P
I've just reinstalled Windows, so it's all good now.

I'm afraid this may not be a virus, but the registry cleaner. Some changes in the registry cannot be noticed right away, I had this problem before. I'll probably won't use it anymore.
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Run sfc /scannow in cmd as Admin
Run in cmd as Admin chkdsk /r/f
Check for any missing Windows Updates.
Do a System Restore
Run Repair from the OS disc

Regards,
Drew
 
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Drew said:
Run sfc /scannow in cmd as Admin
Run in cmd as Admin chkdsk /r/f
Check for any missing Windows Updates.
Do a System Restore
Run Repair from the OS disc

Regards,
Drew
Click to expand...

Already done. System file checker reports no issues, chkdsk no problems, updates are fine. I don't want to run a repair installation because I am more interested in finding out what the problem actually is instead of just overwriting it. Something tells me that an entry has been added to somewhere in the registry that causes any file named setup.exe not to run.

I even tried opening the file (actually let me change that to avoid confusion, any file named setup.exe) while running RegMon with file system monitoring active. I actually never saw the setup.exe process show up. The only thing I can think of that causes this same sort of issue is when an antivirus program detects a file is infected, if you try to open the file you get the same error as if the file does not exist.

I may even open up Visual studio and try to launch setup.exe within a custom program, but I have a feeling the same thing will happen.

I know the answer is out there, I am willing to spend the time to find it.
 
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What security are you running?

Get rid of any so-called Registry tools & utilities

Install & use CCleaner

Drew
 
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I agree completely. I never use those stupid registry tools. CCleaner is a great idea, kind of forgot about that, I will run that as soon as I get a chance. I'm running Avast antivirus.
 
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