Rogue Software Causing Problems with Word & Default Programs

[Rosaboobie]

I downloaded some software that has messed up my PC and I cant open the file - grrrrrr!

[draclvr]

What software has messed your PC up?

[Rosaboobie]

I needed to open up a Nokia phone backup file and it asked me did I want to search the Web for software - I said yes and found something called Free Ultimate File Opener. Once I had installed this, I noticed that documents on my desktop had changed from Word to this software. I could not uninstall it so I searched and found a removal tool BUT since its removal, all my previous Word docs are now showing as DOCX. When I right click on the desktop, it no longer gives me the option of creating a new Word document

[Lucien21]

Try this..


Click Start > Run > and type winword.exe /r

[draclvr]

Oh, dear... guess I don't need to tell you to NEVER download anything like that. Also if you already haven't, please run a full scan with your Malwarebytes.

See if anything helps here... It appears to install adware as a browser extension.

http://www.shouldiremoveit.com/Free-Ult ... ogram.aspx

Lucien, what will that command do?

[Lucien21]

It should run a repair function on Word and reregister it's keys in the registry.

[draclvr]

Awesome - I will tuck this away in my repertoire of computer fixing tips. Yesterday I spent an hour on one computer getting a guys email back up and running - he is 85 - and over two hours on another one last night 1,800 miles away via Team Viewer - she is 91!

[Rosaboobie]

Windows cannot find winword.exe/r - make sure you have typed it correctly - and then try again.

Do you think maybe I have to reinstall Microsoft Word?

[Lucien21]

There should be a space before the "/r"

[draclvr]

Yes those switches are very picky. If you look at Lucien's post, there is a space there. Very picky, but important!

[Rosaboobie]

Well, that ran fine, Lucien, once I had typed it correctly but when I right click on the desktop, I still dont have the option of creating a new Word document, and all my old docs are still in the DOCX form.

Yes, Drac, I ran MalwareBytes immediately, but it found nothing. I was desperate to find someones mobile number - its the dentist who has absconded with my bridgework which I paid £2,500 for - what IS the point of doing mobile phone backups if you cant open the file when you want it?

[Lucien21]

Sorryu, I thought that would work.

I would reinstall Word then.

[Rosaboobie]

Ok, I will try that tomorrow, Lucien - thanks for your help

[draclvr]

Rosaboobie, ALL my Microsoft Word documents are in the .docx format. I don't think that's your problem. But I would agree with reinstalling Word.

[Lucien21]

.Docx is the Word extention for files from Office 2007 onwards. Older versions of Office used the .Doc file type.