Win7 - ProgramFiles Directory is Locked - help?!

[LostSapphire]

I''m having difficulty with a PC but seem to have sorted things out. All except for the fact that I can no longer load software...after a day of hair pulling, it looks like my problem is that the ProgramFiles directory is locked.

Everything I find online seems to be written for programmers. This can''t be that complicated, can it? Everything else on the pc is all cleaned up. Works fabulous unless I try to load something!

Storm? Anybody?
LS

 

[LostSapphire]

I should clarify: I''m not running this pc with a password. There is no p/w protection anywhere. I''m running as administrator.

LS

 

[yssie]

Do things work okay in safe mode?


I found this on disabling the UAC:

Method 1: Disable and Turnoff UAC in Windows 7 from Control Panel

1. Access User Control Panel from Start Menu -> Control Panel -> User Accounts and Family Safety -> User Account

2. Click on

User Account Control settings link.

3. Move the Slider to Never Notify

4. Click OK to make the change effective

5. Reboot.

 

[yssie]

If it doesn''t work in safe mode try running your antivirus while in still safe mode, if it comes up clean and programs still aren''t loading try a system restore to a few days before the problem presented itself (you won''t lose files, but any rogue installations will be deleted)

 

[Karl_K]

system restore back a week, run windows update and virus scans.