Can not open Device Manager?

[KarenUK]

Or I found this:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/914231

[Zarakkhan]

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@KarenUK wrote:

Ok. I can see your images now! 

Here is a system32 snapshot from my own machine which shows the grey devmgmt icon. There is only one. 

You could delete the other red toolbox devmgmt. it will send it to the recycle bin and can be returned if need be. Then see if device manager works. Then I suggest  running system file checker, 'sfc /scannow'  in a command prompt ( admin ) to clear up any other file corruption. 

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I tried deleting the red toolbox icon but it doesn't let me, it says I need the computer admins permission to make changes to this file? I'm the only user and administrator what is this?

Even in Safe Mode it doesn't let me delete it.

I then ran the sfc /scnannow command and it returned with the following result:

I'm having a couple of issues I guess my Windows is corrupted because of viruses, Windows Defender doesn't do a good job protecting the files. I'm never going to use it anymore. A lot of programs and actions are corrupted so should I just reset, reinstall Windows or what could possibly be the solution now?

I went to the Microsoft Link you provided but the files from their fixes are also returning me errors and won't run.

[KarenUK]

Open a Command Prompt (admin) again and copy and paste this into the command prompt.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

 Let that run to completion

Then restart your computer and run sfc /scannow again.

[Zarakkhan]

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@KarenUK wrote:

Open a Command Prompt (admin) again and copy and paste this into the command prompt.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

 Let that run to completion

Then restart your computer and run sfc /scannow again.

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I ran that command and it gave me the following result:

[KarenUK · Accepted solution]

The extent of your system file corruption could  be beyond any simple diagnosis and repair.

I think your only option now is system restore, repair, or re-install. System restore from an earlier date is the easiest although you did state you did not want to do that. If you do not have the HP recovery media then your Windows recovery options are explained here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12415/windows-10-recovery-options

[Zarakkhan]

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@KarenUK wrote:

The extent of your system file corruption could  be beyond any simple diagnosis and repair.

I think your only option now is system restore, repair, or re-install. System restore from an earlier date is the easiest although you did state you did not want to do that. If you do not have the HP recovery media then your Windows recovery options are explained here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12415/windows-10-recovery-options

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I just realized even System Restore option is also gone because of corruption.

So now I'm stuck whether should I Reset Windows with keeping all my files, or just re-install because I have programs and drivers that I don't wish that they would get removed in any way.

[KarenUK]

If you reset or re-install then your third party programs will have to be re-installed afterwards. To be safe, back up your files before doing any recovery operation anyway. Re-install will also create a 'Windows old' folder  which contains all your old files and downloads folders.  And would be a good idea to run a malware scan with something like Malwarebytes or Emsisoft Emergency kit before doing anything.

 https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

https://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/eek/

[Zarakkhan]

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@KarenUK wrote:

If you reset or re-install then your third party programs will have to be re-installed afterwards. To be safe, back up your files before doing any recovery operation anyway. Re-install will also create a 'Windows old' folder  which contains all your old files and downloads folders.  And would be a good idea to run a malware scan with something like Malwarebytes or Emsisoft Emergency kit before doing anything.

 https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

https://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/eek/

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Okay, and what about factory installed Drivers and software? Like Cyberlink softwares and stuff.

[Zarakkhan]

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@KarenUK wrote:

If you reset or re-install then your third party programs will have to be re-installed afterwards. To be safe, back up your files before doing any recovery operation anyway. Re-install will also create a 'Windows old' folder  which contains all your old files and downloads folders.  And would be a good idea to run a malware scan with something like Malwarebytes or Emsisoft Emergency kit before doing anything.

 https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

https://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/eek/

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Okay so I tried Reseting Windows and even that didn't work, it gave me the following errors:

So I guess my only option now is to reinstall Windows.

[KarenUK]

'So I guess my only option now is to reinstall Windows'

Yes, very helpful it doesn't tell you what the problem was:smileyfrustrated:

You have to go ahead with a clean install

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10startfresh