List of Common Problems After SpyHunter Removes an Infection

If you are still difficulty removing malware, you may be experiencing one or more of the following common problems after malware removal. We also provide manual instructions to the common problems listed on this article.

Cannot change Internet Explorer home page

  1. Open "SpyHunter," go to the "Network Sentry" tab, under the "Internet Explorer Homepage Protection."
  2. Check the box that says "Activate Internet Explorer Homepage Protection."
  3. Check "Use" and type the webpage you would like to have as your home page.

Your Desktop background shows a message saying that your computer is infected and you cannot change it.

In order to remove the message that pops up in your Desktop background, follow the instructions below.

  1. Go to "Start" > "Control Panel" > "Display" > "Desktop" tab > click "Customize Desktop" > "Web" tab.
  2. Then uncheck all the boxes under web pages and click "OK," then change the background and click "Apply" and "OK."

If you DO NOT see the Desktop tab, please follow the instructions below.

  1. Click on "Start" > "Run," in the open box type "gpedit.msc."
  2. A "Group Policy" Window should pop open. Double click "User Configuration."
  3. Double click "Administrative Templates."
  4. Double click "Control Panel."
  5. Double click "Display."
  6. on the right part of the window, you should see an entry saying "Hide Desktop tab."
  7. Double click the entry "Hide Desktop tab," check the option "Enabled."
  8. Click "Apply" and then "OK."
  9. Once again, double click the entry "Hide Desktop" tab, check the option "Disabled."
  10. Click "Apply" and then "OK."
  11. Close "Group Policy" window. Go back to "Display Properties" and now you should be able to change the background, following the first "message removal on Desktop background" instructions listed above.

You might want to do the same procedure with the entry "Prevent Changing" wallpaper, by enabling and disabling it.

If this process does not work or you have Windows XP Home Edition, your Windows User may have been permanently damaged by the infection. In this case, your only solution will be to create a new Windows user.

Cannot access Registry Editing Tool (REGEDIT), Control Panel or Task Manager.

In order to regain access to the Registry Editing Tool (REGEDIT), Control Panel or Task Manager, follow the instructions below.

  1. Open "SpyHunter" and click the "Option" tab.
  2. Check the option "Prompt if any important windows components are disabled" and the option "Prompt if web content is used on desktop" on the bottom of the page.
  3. Locate "SpyHunter" icon in the system tray, located on the bottom right hand side of your screen next to the system clock.
  4. Right-click the "SpyHunter" icon and choose "Exit."
  5. Re-open "SpyHunter" by clicking on the icon on your Desktop. SpyHunter will prompt you to restore the feature disabled.

"Virus Alert!!!" message appears next to the system clock.

In order to remove the "Virus Alert!!!" message next to the system clock, follow the instructions below.

  1. Click THE "Start" button and choose "Run."
  2. In the open box, type "regedit."
  3. In the registry editor windows, open the key "HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelInternational."
  4. On the right panel, find the key "TimeFormat."
  5. Double click the key and in the Edit String window, change the Value Data to "h:mm:ss tt" (with no Quotes).
  6. Click "OK," exit the Registry Editor and restart the computer.

A new desktop screensaver appears that is not that the one you previously chose.

In order to remove the unwanted screensaver, follow the instructions below.

  1. Go to "Start" > "Control Panel" > "Display" > "Screensaver."
  2. Then choose a different screensaver and click "OK."

Missing system tabs, such as Desktop, Screen Saver, All Programs, Drives, and other functions

Your system user account has been corrupted by the malware infection. You have two options in order to fix this problem.

Option #1: Create a new Windows user account and transfer the data from your old Windows user account to the new one. We do not support this option and you can find information on how to create a new user clicking on https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13951/windows-create-user-account.

Option #2: Either use the application gpedit.msc (ONLY for WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL) or use some of the free registry fixes on Registry Edits for Windows XP "Tweaks and Tips". We do not support links on kellys-korner-xp.com, we found them to be useful and reliable, and however you are at your own risk. If you want to follow a safe procedure, we would advise you to choose the option of creating a new user.

When you open a Web page, a red X or a placeholder appears instead of the Web pages' images.

In order to remove the red X or placeholder, follow the instructions below.

  1. Open "Internet Explorer."
  2. Click "Tools" on the top of the IE window, choose "Internet Options."
  3. Click the "Advanced" tab, and then verify that the "Show Pictures" check box is selected under Multimedia.
  4. Click "OK."

Cannot execute a program or a .exe file.

When you cannot execute a program or a .exe file, Windows displays the following message:

  • "Windows cannot find (exe program)."

If you try to execute a program on your desktop or under the Run box and Windows displays the following message "Windows cannot find (Program Name)," please download the fix on "xp_exe_fix.reg" onto your Desktop and double click the file xp_exe_fix.reg. This fix will correct the problem and you will be able to normally execute programs once again. We do not support links on kellys-korner-xp.com. We cannot guarantee that you can solve your problems that result from using xp_exe_fix.reg incorrectly. Use xp_exe_fix.reg at your own risk.

Loading...