Help with Operating System fix (XP Home)

[Steve85]

My laptop got a little infection from "defender review" so I went online and found how to remove it. I deleted the appropriate file but in doing so I had to end tasks from task manager until the program wasn't running. I started ending the "process tree" as well (whatever that is).

The file was in a hidden folder in the Google folder. There was also a file with extension .dll that I deleted because it was created at the same time as the known harmful file.

Since then, I can't open any Office programs and get the message "Operating system not currently configured to run this application".

If I uninstall and reinstall the OS (XP Home) will I need to backup all my files first? Is there something less drastic that may work?

How about a reset button

[Apoc]

Have you tried reinstalling Office? You may also be able to do an OS repair with the XP install disk. If you're do a fresh install, it'll wipe your hard drive clean. If the computer is more than 3-4 years old, it wouldn't be a bad idea to fresh install anyway.

[Evan]

system restore?

[Steve85]

Thanks guys.

I tried running the repair utility with no success and unfortunately that meant I could not do an effective restore. In fact the more I tried the worse it got. Definitely not an IT guy here..

I backed up all the files I want and will be coughing up the 65 for a pro to do it. Poor execution of good advice.

[Apoc]

Try System Restore first. If you know when you got the infection you can make your computer go back to how it before to a time before that. You'll lose any settings/setup from after that but basic files you've saved won't be touched.