I got affected by "Windows Recovery" malware. After hours, I believe I got rid of it using Spyhunter 4.1.11.0 The symptoms or the pop ups no more appear. I have conducted several checks using Spyhunter, which says my system is clean at the moment! I also tried "Reimage" which says there is no malicious software in my computer.
However,
1. Im unable to see any desktop items, shortcuts, etc
2. Im unable ro right click at desktop
3. Desktop is plain black
4. The items in the taskbar is missing.
5. The folder names of programs do appear in the "Start -> All Programs" , however "(empty)" is mentioned when I click the name of the programs.
6. The programs can be used by going to the actual folder ie. "C:Program FIles/itunes.exe". The files in My Documents function perfectly!
Things I tried
1. At first "Administrators Documents" and "Shared Documents" were hidden. I unticked the Hidden option and applied changes to Folders, Sub-folders and files.
2. I did the same to the items in C:Program Files
3: Download unhide.exe and tried to enter command mentioned in one of the forums, But am unable to type anything athough i had my antivirus and anti spyware swtiched off
4. Went to command prompt and entered command "attrib -h /s /d" as mentioned in one of the pages.
My System is Windows XP, Version 2002, Service Pack 3
Please bear with me. Im not good at using command prompts