reposting to the correct forum: I downloaded RegAssassin and tried to delete this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Media Device Manager\Plugins\SP\MSPMSP\KBDeviceList And was told that it was not visible to RegAssassin. It then said after a click (or 2) that it had deleted it yet it is still there. This key is locked and using regedit I get a message that it can not be opened. I've tried in SafeMode using Admin with the same lack of succcess. This is a windows xp home sp2 laptop. Using a permissions correction tool I get this in the log: Mismatch - machine\software\microsoft\Windows Media Device Manager\Plugins. Mismatch - machine\software\microsoft\Windows Media Device Manager\Plugins\SCP. Mismatch - machine\software\microsoft\Windows Media Device Manager\Plugins\SCP\MSSCP. Mismatch - machine\software\microsoft\Windows Media Device Manager\Plugins\SP. Mismatch - machine\software\microsoft\Windows Media Device Manager\Plugins\SP\MSPMSP. Warning 5: Access is denied. Error querying security of machine\software\microsoft\Windows Media Device Manager\Plugins\SP\MSPMSP\KBDeviceList. Not Available - machine\software\microsoft\Windows Media Device Manager\Plugins\SP\MSPMSP\KBDeviceList. Not Available - machine\software\microsoft\Windows Media Device Manager\Plugins\SP\MSPMSP\KBDeviceList. Mismatch - machine\software\microsoft\Windows Media Device Manager\Plugins\SP\WMDMCESP. Mismatch - machine\software\microsoft\Windows Media Device Manager\Plugins\SP\WPDSp. I've tried various registry cleaners, anti-spyware, anti-malware, and anti-virus tools with no success. Also tried Safe Mode as Admin with the same lack of success. Thanks for any advice