Help! I have deleted registry key \CLSID (all of it not just a sub key) in error it seems! Whilst trying to stop Yahoo Messenger adverts placing spyware in my Temp file I was following instructions at the following link to delete registry keys: http://www.ehow.com/how_6391077_remove-spy-monitor-desktop-bar.html However I deleted the whole of \CLSID. Now I cannot open Control Panel, Windows Explorer, My Computer, etc. The files are still on the hard drive (can access them as attachments through my e-mail program). Should I use F8 on re-boot to "Repair your computer", or Restore to the last restore point, or am I REALLY stuffed? Help please! (Colin in Transylvania)

Yes, restoring to your last restore point is your best bet. -Noel

Yes, restoring to your last restore point is your best bet. -Noel Hi again Noel (or anyone else with suggestions)! I tried restoring to the last Restore Point but Win7 gave me a message saying it was unable to do so as a file was blocking the restore - maybe in my antivirus. So I disabled the AV and retried with no success, then retried to an earlier Restore Point - still no success. I can no longer access the Registry from the Start menu but I can through the Task Manager via Ctrl + Alt + Dlt. The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID key has reformed but explorer.exe is still not functioning, nor most of Control Panel, My Computer, etc. It may be difficult to do a files back-up as I can't use explorer.exe to see where I am saving files and e-mails from Thunderbird! Further suggestions appreciated if you have any ideas? Thanks, Colin

I hate it when the System Restore facility doesn't work. You can invoke it when booting as I recall... Press F8 during the POST to get it to show you the System Recovery Options. I'd try that next. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/What-are-the-system-recovery-options-in-Windows-7 Beyond that... Windows itself stores a backup of your registry under this folder... C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack This may be the data used during bootup recovery, I'm not sure. You may be able to restore it manually, but I've not personally gone down this particular road so I can't say for sure that's a path to success either. You might also be able to do an in-place upgrade of Windows 7 (i.e., reinstall over the top of itself). -Noel

I hate it when the System Restore facility doesn't work. You can invoke it when booting as I recall... Press F8 during the POST to get it to show you the System Recovery Options. I'd try that next. -Noel Thank you Noel - THAT worked! Restoring to a previous restore point through the start menu didn't work - I tried it several times with different restore points. However invoking a system restore in the Advanced Boot Options using F8 on boot up has done it! I thank you for your time, concern and support - I was getting a bit worried! Most sincerely, Colin

You're welcome. Glad you got it sorted out! -Noel