Missing necessary Operating System files

[Sarah93003]

I have Windows XP on my laptop and after much difficulty with my browser being hi-jacked I dowloaded and installed Malwarebytes software. When I ran the scan it had isolated nearly 300 instances of things and rather than review them individually I told the software to delete them all. Evidently there were also necessary files buried within the list as now there are many functions that I can not do. For example, most of my software applications will not launch in the normal fashion and each time I have to locate the executable file to launch it. Some of them work normally once I've launched it and some of them seem a bit fragmented. Additionally, I can't even use some of the basic control panel functions such as "Add/Remove Programs", etc. I've tried to install new programs and I can not install anything.

The worst case scenario is to reload the entire operating system. I am hoping there is a simpler method to correct my issue. Any ideas?

Thanks!!

[Firefox]

Hello, and welcome to malwarebytes.org

The malware infection has 'hijacked' your exe file association in the Registry, together with altering other settings on your computer. This is why your programs will not run properly. But it is the policy of this forum that we can only work on malware related problems in the Malware Removal - HijackThis Logs forum, not in the other general forums.

Please read the following so that you can begin the cleaning process:

As we don't deal with malware removal in the General Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Forum, you need to start a topic in the Malware Removal forum so a qualified helper can help you fix any malware related problems/infections you may have.

• Please read and follow the directions here, skipping any steps you are unable to complete. Then post a NEW topic here.
  
• After posting your new post, make sure under options, you select Track this topic and choose Immediate Email Notification, so that you're alerted when someone has replied to your post.
  
• One of the expert helpers there will give you one-on-one assistance when one becomes available.
  
• Please refrain from making any further changes to your computer (Install/Uninstall programs, use special fix tools, delete files, edit the registry, etc...) unless advised by a malware removal helper. Doing so can result in system changes which may hinder the attempts by a helper to clean your machine.
  

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Alternatively, as a paying customer, you can contact the help desk at support@malwarebytes.org or here.

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