[SOLVED] Missing Programs

[rinzler001]

Good afternoon all,
My issue today is after restarting my pc I seem to be missing several programs - or more so they just aren't in the start menu anywhere.
The programs that I lost for some odd reason are: Notepad, Wordpad, Event Viewer, Google Chrome, and for some reason Edge got removed as one of the tiles and the icon disappeared beside Edge in the start menu. I didn't make any changes except to disable Cortana. It was a registry edit which I since then changed back. I did a full malware scan with malwarebytes and multiple antivirus scans and they didn't come up with anything.
What would cause me to lose these apps? I feel like I may have lost more but I just don't use them to know.
I have since repaired Edge and it came back and I uninstalled/reinstalled Chrome and its back working but I cannot find Wordpad or Notepad. Even though I was just using it yesterday before all of this started.

I would like to throw in a small bit of information(it may be useless) but I was sent a link by someone on twitter and I clicked it and it took me to some website which I wasn't familiar with so I immediately closed it out. I told the person that I didn't recognize the link so I wasn't sure what they were asking -- they said their account was hacked and not to click the link -- kind of too late for that.
That's all that has happened.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[Lutfij]

Since you've posted this thread in the Windows 10 section, can you state what version(not edition) of Windows 10 you're on at the time of writing? OS corruption could cause the icons/apps to disappear. A stowaway(virus) can also tamper with said OS. On the note about OS corruption, if your drive is faulty/failing, that could also lead up to a corruption in the OS, if the OS didn't get corrupt during an update process.

 

[white.a.drew]

Good afternoon all,
My issue today is after restarting my pc I seem to be missing several programs - or more so they just aren't in the start menu anywhere.
The programs that I lost for some odd reason are: Notepad, Wordpad, Event Viewer, Google Chrome, and for some reason Edge got removed as one of the tiles and the icon disappeared beside Edge in the start menu. I didn't make any changes except to disable Cortana. It was a registry edit which I since then changed back. I did a full malware scan with malwarebytes and multiple antivirus scans and they didn't come up with anything.
What would cause me to lose these apps? I feel like I may have lost more but I just don't use them to know.
I have since repaired Edge and it came back and I uninstalled/reinstalled Chrome and its back working but I cannot find Wordpad or Notepad. Even though I was just using it yesterday before all of this started.

I would like to throw in a small bit of information(it may be useless) but I was sent a link by someone on twitter and I clicked it and it took me to some website which I wasn't familiar with so I immediately closed it out. I told the person that I didn't recognize the link so I wasn't sure what they were asking -- they said their account was hacked and not to click the link -- kind of too late for that.
That's all that has happened.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

You have a fresh trojan that hasn't been added to any anti virus yet from what it sounds like

 

[USAFRet]

That last bit of info is hugely important.
I suspect a trojan or other nastiness.

This is when you recover from the full drive backup you made before this happened.
Lacking that, you're probably looking at a full wipe and reinstall.

 

[rinzler001]

Since you've posted this thread in the Windows 10 section, can you state what version(not edition) of Windows 10 you're on at the time of writing? OS corruption could cause the icons/apps to disappear. A stowaway(virus) can also tamper with said OS. On the note about OS corruption, if your drive is faulty/failing, that could also lead up to a corruption in the OS, if the OS didn't get corrupt during an update process.

I am on Windows 10 version 21H2.

 

[rinzler001]

So I ran sfc /scannow and all of the apps returned.
there was quite a bit of repairing - 34 components.

\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Steps Recorder.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:53, Info CSI 0000027a [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Component Services.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:53, Info CSI 0000027b [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\ODBC Data Sources (64-bit).lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000027c [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Paint.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000027d [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Print Management.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000027e [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Quick Assist.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000027f [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\services.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000280 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessibility\\Speech Recognition.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000281 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Task Scheduler.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000282 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Disk Cleanup.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000283 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Windows PowerShell\\Windows PowerShell ISE.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000284 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Windows PowerShell\\Windows PowerShell ISE (x86).lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000285 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Registry Editor.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000286 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Windows Fax and Scan.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000287 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Windows Media Player.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000288 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Notepad.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000289 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Security Configuration Management.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000028a [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Event Viewer.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000028b [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\\Task Manager.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000028c [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Computer Management.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000028d [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Memory Diagnostics Tool.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000028e [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\RecoveryDrive.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000028f [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Remote Desktop Connection.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000290 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Wordpad.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000291 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\\Character Map.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000292 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\\Immersive Control Panel.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000293 CSIPERF - FilePI Queue 165ms
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000294 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\System Information.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000295 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Math Input Panel.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000296 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\iSCSI Initiator.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000297 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\System Configuration.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000298 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Snipping Tool.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000299 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\dfrgui.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000029a [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Performance Monitor.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000029b [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Resource Monitor.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000029c [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000029d [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\ODBC Data Sources (32-bit).lnk from store

I forgot about powershell being missing. It was definitely one of the ones that was missing.

 

[white.a.drew]

I am on Windows 10 version 21H2.

I would highly recommend a reinstall, and of a different windows 10 vs, and don't click on random links because the mix of windows and the random link is the issue windows 10 21h2 is a hazard

 

[white.a.drew]

So I ran sfc /scannow and all of the apps returned.
there was quite a bit of repairing - 34 components.

\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Steps Recorder.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:53, Info CSI 0000027a [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Component Services.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:53, Info CSI 0000027b [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\ODBC Data Sources (64-bit).lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000027c [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Paint.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000027d [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Print Management.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000027e [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Quick Assist.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000027f [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\services.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000280 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessibility\\Speech Recognition.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000281 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Task Scheduler.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000282 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Disk Cleanup.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000283 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Windows PowerShell\\Windows PowerShell ISE.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000284 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Windows PowerShell\\Windows PowerShell ISE (x86).lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000285 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Registry Editor.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000286 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Windows Fax and Scan.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000287 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Windows Media Player.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000288 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Notepad.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000289 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Security Configuration Management.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000028a [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Event Viewer.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000028b [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\\Task Manager.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000028c [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Computer Management.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000028d [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Memory Diagnostics Tool.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000028e [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\RecoveryDrive.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000028f [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Remote Desktop Connection.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000290 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Wordpad.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000291 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\\Character Map.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000292 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\\Immersive Control Panel.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000293 CSIPERF - FilePI Queue 165ms
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000294 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\System Information.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000295 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Math Input Panel.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000296 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\iSCSI Initiator.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000297 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\System Configuration.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000298 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\\Snipping Tool.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 00000299 [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\dfrgui.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000029a [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Performance Monitor.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000029b [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Resource Monitor.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000029c [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.lnk from store
2022-03-07 13:05:54, Info CSI 0000029d [SR] Repairing file \??

\C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\\ODBC Data Sources (32-bit).lnk from store

I forgot about powershell being missing. It was definitely one of the ones that was missing.

Yeah I highly suspect a mix of windows 10 crashing and a virus I can't remember what windows 10 was before 21h2 but if you can find that installer I would use that,

 

[rinzler001]

I would highly recommend a reinstall, and of a different windows 10 vs, and don't click on random links because the mix of windows and the random link is the issue windows 10 21h2 is a hazard

why would I install a different version? And how would I install a different version?

 

[USAFRet]

So I ran sfc /scannow and all of the apps returned.
there was quite a bit of repairing - 34 components.

OK, so all these links and shortcuts are restored.

What else got put in there from this malicious site?

 

[white.a.drew]

why would I install a different version? And how would I install a different version?

The vs of windows you have is known for Internet problems app crashes and full on windows bsod and curroption

 

[rinzler001]

OK, so all these links and shortcuts are restored.

What else got put in there from this malicious site?

That I do not know - and I get your point. I don't have much on this pc some I'm going to do a full reinstall.

 

[white.a.drew]

That I do not know - and I get your point. I don't have much on this pc some I'm going to do a full reinstall.

Well that and the factor of your admin files were already curropted that's why I say there's a chance of a mixed variable of a virus and windows crashing admin files are the last to normally crash without assistance