Start Menu All Programs Missing

1) Click the Start Button
2) Click the Run Command
3) In the Run Command Windows type "regedt32"
4) Navigate to each of the following areas and change the value as listed:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

Set The Value For "NoStartMenuMorePrograms" to "Zero"

5) Restart the computer
6) Now the All Programs should be back in the Start Menu

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Drives Missing In My Computer

1) Click the Start Button
2) Click the Run Command
3) In the Run Command Windows type "regedt32"
4) Navigate to each of the following areas and change the value as listed:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

Set Value For "NoDrives" to "Zero"

5) Restart the computer
6) Now the drives should appear in My Computer

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Setting Up Malware Security

The most important thing you have to take into consideration after performing a virus (malware) removal on your computer is that you need protection to prevent it from happening again. This is also something to keep in mind before it happens for the first time. Just follow this guide and your computer will soon be setup to block even the most dangerous virus (malware).

Step 1: Anti-virus Protection

This is quite possibly the most important step, which is why it is #1. Having a good antivirus can make all the difference on the computer. Although you will need more then just an antivirus it is extremely important to have this up first. There are two parts to Step 1, one which is for freeware programs while the other is for purchaseable programs.

Step 1a: Freeware Security

There are several good quality freeware antivirus programs. Not all of them are worth the time however. The following are the top three programs that you can find on the freeware market.

PICK ONLY ONE!
1) Avira:
-http://www.free-av.com/en/download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html

2) Avast:
-http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

3) AVG:
-http://free.avg.com/
(Try to avoid AVG if at all possible, the detection rates are far less then others)

Step 1b: Purchaseable Security

As with freeware security there is also a good number of purchaseable security programs on the market. There are significantly more programs that are worthwhile however, which makes finding the right one a challenge. The following list are the best you can purchase, but keep in mind the ones to avoid.

PICK ONLY ONE!
1) Norton
-http://www.symantec.com/norton/theme.jsp?themeid=new-2008

2) Kaspersky
-http://usa.kaspersky.com/products_services/HomeProducts.php

3) Nod32
-http://www.eset.com/products/

AVOID THESE!
1) Trend Micro
2) McAfee
3) Computer Associates


Step 2: Firewall Protection

Having a good firewall is extremely important to help block intrusions and block a good amount of malware. The firewall is able to mask open ports on the computer which can block other people from hacking into your computer. With Windows there is a firewall program built into Windows which is able to do everything you need; that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider a firewall program. I'm only putting up freeware firewall programs because if you need a purchaseable firewall program, get the Internet Security version of the purchaseable anti-virus programs above.

Step 2a: Freeware Firewalls

PICK ONLY ONE!

1) Comodo Firewall:
-http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

2) Webroot Firewall:
-http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer-products-desktopfirewall.html

3) PC Tools Firewall:
-http://www.pctools.com/firewall/


Step 3: Active Anti-spyware Protection

Although you may have picked an anti-virus program that "includes" anti-spyware it's still important to have extra protection. These programs catch a lot and monitor areas that anti-virus programs do not which makes them invaluable for protection. Do not confuse active protection with removal however. Programs like Spyware Doctor, Counterspy, and Malwarebytes are all great for removal but take to much in resources to be quality active protection. There is a mixture of either or and freeware/purchaseable programs below:

Step 3a: Recommended Active Protection

1) Spywareblaster
- http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

2) PC Tools Threatfire
- http://www.threatfire.com/
OR
2) Spy Sweeper w/AV
-http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer-products-spysweeper.html


Step 4: Internet Browsers And Security

Picking the right browser and security can make all the difference. Some browsers are more secure then others and with good protection you can make sure that you're not going somewhere that could be very dangerous for your system.

Step 4a: Freeware Browsers And Security

1) Firefox 3
-http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

2) McAfee Site Advisor
-http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer-products-spysweeper.html


Step 5: Completion

With that your computer should be protected. Just be careful about what you download and always pay attention and keep your software updated.

Control Panel Disabled

If you open the Start Menu or Windows Explorer and find that the Control Panel is missing from the list:



Then this guide can help you to enable the Control Panel again:

1) Click the Start Button
2) Click the Run Command
3) In the Run Command Windows type "regedt32"
4) Navigate to each of the following areas and change the value as listed:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]



Set Value For "NoControlPanel" to "Zero"



Set Value For "NoSetFolders" to "Zero"



5) Restart the computer
6) Now the Control Panel should be enabled and returned to the Start Menu

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Display Properties Desktop Tab Missing

If you open Display Properties and find that the Desktop tab is missing:



Then follow these easy steps to fix the problem:

1) Click the Start Button
2) Click the Run Command
3) In the Run Command Windows type "regedt32"
4) Navigate to each of the following areas and change the value as listed:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]



Set Value "NoDispBackgroundPage" to "Zero"



5) Restart the computer
6) The Desktop Tab should be returned to Display Properties



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