I installed AVG on my freshly installed Windows based on Logan's recommendation and just a few minutes ago AVG decided that some system file was a virus and deleted it without informing me (I guess that's how antivirus programs work), and now my desktop shortcuts, taskbar icons and Windows programs such as Paint and Calculator disappeared. I have no idea what to do. Please help me!
Sounds odd. Your icons and taskbar disapearing sounds like explorer.exe isn't running, but paint and calc shouldn't be affected by that. The first thing I would try is restarting explorer.exe (hold down the windows key and press R. Then type explorer.exe). If that brings back your icons (or doesn't) then report back.
Actually, AVG has only deleted the icons in the taskbar, the desktop and the start menu, the taskbar itself is still there. Explorer.exe is running fine and i can launch all programs on the computer, but most of the programs can't be launched from the search bar in the start menu, which is really inconvenient. Otherwise the OS is fully functional
Did you check your quarantine in Avg? It typically doesnt just delete unless you tell it to so automatically.
I uninstalled AVG immediately when it did that because I thought it might do something else that is just as stupid. However, there is still an AVG folder in Program Files and files in it, which might contain the deleted file. Should I install AVG again? What do you suggest?
This is precisely the reason I don't use any antivirus programs any more. I would uninstall it and never look back.
If you can still launch all programs, then you should be able to re-pin them to the start menu and task bar. If you are able to do that, then once you've uninstalled AVG, delete the folder in program files (if it allows you to). That's what I would do.
+1
I had problems with AVG a few years back on a Win XP machine. I tried uninstalling it, but it wouldn't let me. To make a long story short, I had to re-format my HDD and re-install windows in order to completely remove it.
Try using Comodo. It's real sensitive at first, but after you set the exclusions and everything, it's a fairly predictable and solid free AV and firewall service.
Well, if you are missing actual programs, then your best bet to get everything back in working order quickly is to do a repair install of windows or revert to a restore point before you installed AVG. If all else fails, reformat and reinstall windows. Just remember to back up any data you don't want to lose before doing any of these, just in case.
I tried restoring Windows from a restore point, but it did'nt work. I also tried creating a new user and find if the icons reappeared. Some did, but most of them did'nt, so i will probably try to do a repair reinstall of Windows or reformat everything and do a fresh install.