Add or Remove programs won't open

[sujag81]

This is my first post I'm new but have learned quite a bit so far by just reading all of the post. I recently had virus problems and finally cleaned all of them up, but now I can't open the add remove programs in control panel. Any help would be appreciated. Running Win XP Pro.

 

[Rick]

Ironically, a lot of viruses now use Windows' own security policies against itself. I bet the answer lies here:

Start > Run > gpedit.msc

Expand 'User Configuration' > 'Administrative Templates' > 'Control Panel' > "Add or Remove Programs".

You'll see possible restrictions and other behaviors in the right pane, some of which may keep you from opening Add/Remove Programs. Check them out by double clicking on them and check to make sure their values make sense.

It could very well be something else too, and it wouldn't surprise me if you have other issues with system utilities like msconfig, system restore and such.