Cannot open desktop icons

[jatkinson]

Recently encountered a problem trying to open desktop icons. Nothing happens. I can't open programs in Control Panel either nor will they run from the start menu. The only way I can get anything to work is to execute from the run command by typing in the full path to the executable.

If I select run then type explorer.exe, Windows explorer opens. However, I cannot then use double-clicking on folders to open them, I have to type in the full address in the path box at the top.

I've followed the instructions in the Microsoft KB article Q172223 but this hasn't worked. My settings were as they should be in the registry and even re-entering the keys hasn't resolved the problem.

However, the final step may be to re-boot the server, which I am reluctant to do if this won't definately resolve the problem as it is the central fileserver for my firm and the last time I had to reboot it the darn thing nearly didn't start. Note: this problem has only started recently and not since the last reboot.

 

[JSchredder]

You may have worm virus. Certain virus' will insert a line into the registry that make it so you can't run .exe files. Check this registry value:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTexefile\shell\open\command

Make sure that the value is "%1" %* if it is anything else then you have a virus. But you say you can run explore from the run box so this may not help you.

 

[jatkinson]

Have checked for a virus with two seperate up-to-date anti-virus products and no virus was detected.

My registry is OK and correct, values are as they should be and I've noted no additional or 'out-of-place' keys.