Ask a new question

Programs will not launch in Windows 7 after installing updates

Original title: Programs will not launch in Windows 7

I am running Windows 7 Ultimate.   It appears every time a program like Adobe, Firefox, or Quickbooks goes through a software update cycle, they will no longer launch.   I get an error message that the device, path, or file cannot be found or the permissions do not allow that operation or something to that effect.  I have changed permissions, ran as administrator, even added a separate administrator account and installed from that account to no avail.  I have used the self fixing tools in Windows 7 with no success.  If I reinstall the software, it usually works, however now I cannot get Quickbooks to launch even after reinstalling it.  I tried restoring to a previous point and that did not work either.  I am running Zone Alarm Extreme doing deep scans and have not had any issues with viruses.  It happened to run an update last night and had the same issue so I had to reinstall it also.  My best guess is that there is some some issue in the registry that is triggering the executable files to an inactive state whenever software updates, maybe for security reasons.  My only Windows update fail was back in October which is about the time this started with Adobe and Firefox quitting around that time.  When I attempted to install this particular update last night it said that it was already installed.  Any ideas?  

Hi,
 
Follow the methods given below and check if the issue persists.
 
Method 1:

Step 1:

Temporarily disable Zone Alarm before installing the update and check if the issue persists.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Disable-antivirus-software
 
Note: Antivirus software can help protect your computer against viruses and other security threats.  In most cases, you shouldn't disable your antivirus software. If you have to temporarily disable it to install other software, you should re-enable it as soon as you're done. If you're connected to the Internet or a network while your antivirus software is disabled, your computer is vulnerable to attacks.
 
Step 2:
 
Put your computer in safe mode with networking and check if you are able to launch the programs.
 
Step 3:
 
If you are able to launch the programs in safe mode with networking, I'd have you put your computer in a clean boot state to eliminate interference of a third party software conflict causing the issue to occur.
 
Note: Follow step 7 to restart your computer as usual.
 
Method 2:
 
Do a system restore prior to the updates and refrain from installing the issue causing updates.

Azeez Nadeem - Microsoft Support
[If this post was helpful, please click the "Vote as Helpful" (green triangle) button. If it helps in resolving your issue, click "Propose As Answer" or "Mark as Answer" button. By proposing/marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Step 1: Did not work.  I uninstalled Zone Alarm totally.  I am only running Microsoft Essentials and Defender and had them turned off for multiple installs.  I have also blown away Firefox to minimize any effects it might have.

Step 2:  Made no difference.

Step 3: Have not tried yet.

Step 4: I did that to begin with and it put everything back to where it was prior to the Quickbooks upgrade that appears to be the culprit. 

Since attempting several installs, Quickbooks Pro 10 is the only program that appears to have any issues.  I upgraded the flash to Adobe 10 which I believe was already running at that state when the errors occcured.  At this point I have to believe something in the registry has been tweaked that is not allowing Quickbooks to launch.  I have posted the problem on the Quickbooks site also and have not had any responses yet.  It has additional information from when I originally posted this based on what I have surmised since then.  http://community.intuit.com/posts/quickbooks-pro-10-will-not-launch-after-doing-a-payroll-software-update

I had a local tech support person tell me this is a Quickbooks problem with Pro 10, but everything he suggested has failed to make a difference also.  I installed the software on a desktop machine to see if it might be a cd problem and it installed perfectly.  I need to get it running on this laptop though.

 

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

We went and bought Pro 2011, uninstalled 2010 and installed 2011.  "Explorer. exe error.  The item referred to by this shortcut cannot be accessed.  You may not have the appropriate permissions."

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

After an hour with Quickbooks tech support it has been realized that Windows has locked all software folders, not only Quickbooks. 

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Hello tpesek,

I am not sure what you mean that Windows has locked all software folders. Can you please describe in more detail what you are talking about.

Do you have more than one antivirus installed and running at the same time.
I understand that you were running Zone Alarm Extreme and Microsoft Security Essentials. Having more than one running at the same time can cause some conflicts.

I suggest you check each shortcut for your programs and see if they are pointing to a correct path.

 

Please reply back with an update on the issue you are seeing.

 

Sincerely,

Marilyn
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

 
 

Question Info

Last updated July 1, 2019 Views 2,298 Applies to: