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Windows wants to run missing exe file

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7 replies

by mjr2u 1 view

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I am running Win NT4.0 Recently, a software package was downloaded to the C:\ drive and installed from there. The .exe file remained on the C:\ drive, but every time Windows booted, it runs the executable file again, causing the same program to be reinstalled over and over.

I've searched in all profiles in the C:\Winnt folder, and checked all Start Up folders for any shortcuts that would launch that .exe at startup, but none were in any of the Start Up folders. I deleted the .exe file from the C:\ drive, and now Windows returns an error at boot up, saying that there is a missing shortcut to the .exe file, and asks if I want to browse for it. I have also searched the registry to find anything that was associated with that program,and have found nothing.

What component in Windows is causing this to happen? And how can I get Windows to stop trying to launch that executable file?

7 replies

by joseph moore

It will be in the Registry. And unless you want to manually cut it out of there, I suggest you use MSCONFIG.
The problem is that NT4 did not come with MSCONFIG, so go here to get a 3rd party version for NT:
http://www.insideproject.com/showguide.cfm?guideid=31

Unzip MSCONFIG from this site, double-click it, then click the Startup tab. That will show all programs that are set to run when Windows starts.
Just uncheck any program(s) you don't want, then reboot, and that is it. The program won't start again!

hope this helps

by thechas

Caution: Improper registry edits can disable your PC.

Run regedit from the run box on the start menu.

Search for the runonce key.
There will be a run key above the run once key.
Check all the run keys for the program.
Delete only the data line for the errant program.

There are at least 2 sections that need to be edited, so repeat the search for runonce until you reach the end of the registry.

That should take care of it.

Chas

by mjr2u

The link that you provide opens a website at Inside Project, the guide is entitled "MSCONFIG for Windows 2000." I searched for all other articles at that site regarding MSCONFIG. Every one of them says that MSCONFIG will work on Win 95, 98, ME, and W2k, but not on NT. I even tried running it on the NT machine, and receive an error message. Unless you can point me to the specific page you found at Inside Project, the MSCONFIG file won't run on Windows NT. Thanks.

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