Windows 7 Windows Media Player opening randomly and not allowing access to other programs

[vagabond251]

I am currently running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit and am having trouble with Windows Media Player. I have run Spybot Search and Destroy as well as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and McAfee. Spybot, for the last several weeks has constantly picked up problems with every scan. I have checked under msconfig what services and what not are opening on start up and unchecked or deleted anything suspicious.

I additionally went through a cleaning process involving programs such as Combo Fix and SUPER Anti-Spyware that were suggested on another forum from someone seeming to have the same problem as myself. I have tried doing all of this in safe mode as well but the problem keeps coming back.

It's difficult to remember when this started but the most recent change I made to my system was changing my Windows CD-Key to be Genuine.

I have almost found no one with the same problem through Google searches and am looking for help. Any would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, please let me know if I should provide any additional information.

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you've taken several steps to address the issues you're facing with Windows Media Player and the persistent problems detected by Spybot Search and Destroy. Given the steps you've already taken, here are some additional suggestions to help you troubleshoot and resolve the issues: 1. Check for System File Corruption: - Run the System File Checker tool to scan for and restore corrupted system files. To do this: - Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. - Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. - Wait for the scan to complete and follow any on-screen instructions. 2. Update Windows and Drivers: - Make sure your Windows 7 system is up-to-date with the latest updates and patches. - Update your device drivers, especially the ones related to audio and video playback. 3. Reset Windows Media Player: - You can try resetting Windows Media Player to default settings. To do this: - Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. - Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter. - Click on "Turn Windows features on or off" in the left pane. - Uncheck the box next to Windows Media Player and click OK. Restart your computer. - Repeat the above steps to re-enable Windows Media Player. 4. Use System Restore: - Consider using System Restore to revert your system to a point before the issues started occurring. This can help undo recent changes that may have caused the problems. 5. Check Event Viewer: - Look for any error messages or warnings related to Windows Media Player or system issues in the Event Viewer. This might provide more insight into what's causing the problems. 6. Consider Reinstalling Windows Media Player: - If the issue persists, you can try reinstalling Windows Media Player. You can do this through the Windows Features menu. 7. Seek Expert Help: - If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it might be beneficial to seek assistance from a professional technician or a Windows support forum where experts can provide more detailed troubleshooting steps. By following these recommendations, you may be able to identify and resolve the issues you're experiencing with Windows Media Player and the recurring problems detected by Spybot Search and Destroy. If you encounter any specific error messages or symptoms during these steps, feel free to provide additional information for further assistance.