Stopping Excel from starting with Windows

Thank you for taking time to look at this.

Yes the original problem appears to be solved,

 

Excellent news. I had a feeling it was a case of 2 Office programs. 

.....but I am interested in the Long Answer too...

 2 days ago I purchased the Laptop, so, although I didn't load or re-load Windows, because I set it up with my own account, I am assuming this is the reason it is telling us it was installed 2 days ago ?

 

 

Yes – my bad. I didn’t realize when I posted earlier that you had clearly stated it was “brand new”.  Sorry about that.

BUT: Is this a brand-new, in-the-box computer, or is it “new to you” (refurbished or “used”).

 

 

Next - I did try and install/use Windows tweaker 5.0, BUT... nothing happened, so I found version 4.0.1.0 worked. Now I use this program solely to remove shotcut arrows, as I really don't like them, so my questions are:

 

 

Bad idea, especially on a brand-new system. These programs have their fanbase. But they can break Windows in ways both subtle and  sometimes truly damaging. Their developers must constantly keep abreast of changes to Windows code. Eventually, something will break. It’s the law of unintended consequences. And if you don’t keep track of the changes these programs make, it can be hard to find a way back.

I know that others here feel otherwise, but these sorts of programs are unnecessary, especially for modifying “cosmetic” features. What is the problem with “shortcut arrows”??? (Rhetorical question)  And trying to make Windows 11 look like Windows 98, ME, XP, Vista, 7, 8 or 10 just seems like a pointless exercise. JMHO

1. Are these errors fixable?

    

    

TBH I would not expect to see many such errors on a new, clean system. But, given that you’ve already used some sort of “tweaker” program, all bets are off.

You need to run Windows Update “check for updates” until you have everything it offers for critical & recommended OS/security patches, Windows Defender updates, etc.. BUT, you want to DISABLE Driver Updates via Windows Update (you should get driver updates directly from the computer or component manufacturer, not from MS).

Since you have Windows 11 HOME, you will need to use Option 2 HERE (or a similar tutorial from another reputable source).

1. I'm not sure what BITS does

    

    

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Background_Intelligent_Transfer_Service

Historically, problems with BITS service have been associated with malware infection. I’m not qualified to say whether that is the case on YOUR system (though I doubt it). But it’s a bit worrisome to see a possible problem with this important service on a “new” system.

1. If "tweaking" programs are causing issues, is there another way of removing shortcut arrows.

    

    

To paraphrase Nike: “Just Don’t Do It”

 

4. If the answer to 1. is Yes, do I need to do a total reinstall ?

 

 

 I’m not qualified to say. I would guess that things can be fixed without resorting to either a REPAIR INSTALL via in-place upgrade, RESET or CLEAN INSTALL.

But I must defer to others far more qualified to further assist you.

Once you get all your Windows Updates installed, for starters, you’ll probably want to start first with DISM (all 3 steps), followed by SFC.

Needless to say, I would not transfer any of my stuff (documents, photos, videos, emails, etc.) to this system until you get things squared away.

And I would make frequent system image backups along the way with a robust 3^rd-party imaging application (there are many).

 

Thanks

 

You are most welcome.

 

P.S. I see that @Pkshadow posted while I was drafting this. So, I will bow out and defer to him and the other helpers, so as not to create confusion for everyone. Cheers.

MoxieMomma

Brand new from Currys, 

please don’t “bow out” - your advice is very valuable to me.

 

I am just getting confused by the fact my hard drive may have errors, and my RAM might be suspect. If either of these can be proven I need to contact the retailer asap.

MoxieMomma, Pkshadow,

I did take a Macrium backup as soon as I got through the initial setup, this was before I installed anything (except Macrium !)

i Am not sure if I should revert to this, and “start again”……

 

Unfortunately (possibly) my documents are (as you may or may not know I had an issue setting this up) in Google Drive. Copies are on my user drive on all my PCs.

 

regarding the issue of AV, I have removed (uninstalled, but not from the uninstaller - which I will rectify) McAfee, as I will not use it, and I did decline to set it up, so I don’t know if it installed itself anyway…..

I will follow the instruction to run Defender and Malwarebytes together.

 

Like I said I need to sit down next week, put this all up on my big screen, and go through it all.

 

i am sorely tempted to just put it all back to as it was when I opened the box and start again* (if that will get rid of the niggles). If not, then I will have to work through everything and hope for the best.

*is this easy to do ?

 

Once again thank you both for your time.

Edited by davec1510, 08 February 2024 - 06:54 PM.

Not a problem. :=}

 

As per tweaker mentioned it just maybe you attempting or it could be left overs as to the suggestion of using a proper uninstaller.

Hi:

Too many cooks spoil the soup. And I am just a home user. Others will chime in if I am off-base or omit anything important with what follows.

But, if this were my computer, I would:

– Make sure all my data are backed up elsewhere (cloud and/or external USB hard drive)

– Perform either a factory reset or a clean install of Windows 11 (using the links in my previous reply). The advantage of a clean install is that it won't come with OEM bloatware, McAfee, or MS 365 trial.

– Use Windows Update to install all critical & important OS, .NET & Defender updates, but NOT driver updates (as per my earlier reply)

– As a brand-new OEM computer, you probably don't “need” BIOS or driver updates from the OEM right away

– A factory reset will put back both the MS 365 Trial & McAfee trial, so you'll need to uninstall MS 365 again, and

– Properly uninstall McAfee using its removal tool (& either Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller, if necessary, to remove remnants)

– Consider adding paid Premium Malwarebytes, which works just fine alongside Windows Defender & is designed to do so

– Run DISM & SFC at intervals, e.g. after installing a bunch of Windows Updates

– Create Macrium system images at major intervals along the way

– Install printer or other peripherals

– Once Windows is reinstalled and updated, install productivity apps, like Office 2019

– >>>> Steer clear of all “tweaking”, “patcher”, & “optimizer” crapware, opting instead to configure & adapt to Windows 11, learning to live with shortcut arrows

Hope this helps

MM: You're a Star

MoxieMomma, thank you for this.

Thinking about it last night, I was heading in that direction. Your advice has now confirmed it for me, and I will make a start next week.

I will document my steps, and take snapshots with Speccy and MTB and post here to make sure I’m on the right track.

Thanks

Note : Factory reset means you need to install your Motherboard Drivers.'

 

There is no stop or go, it is a Must to do so.

 

Reverting to your 1st Virgin Back-up would be a good idea if that is what you fell is best.  I clean install is asked for 2 many times,  It does not warrant that sort of attention.

 

Again we have no idea what he computer store or the factory installed so all drivers must be installed again to know they are in place.

 

Well leave this topic to MM as seems the clean install is what is most suggested on may topics i the forum rather than continue the logical course of action.

@davec1510:

To clarify: a factory reset, a clean Windows 11 installation, or restoring to a clean Macrium image (if you created one before everything got messed up) might each be a viable consideration for your action plan.

Each presents its own advantages & disadvantages to get you to a clean system.
I did not in any way try to steer you to one or the other.
For example, I merely pointed out 1 potential advantage of the clean install (it would get you the latest Windows version/build without OEM bloatware or trial 3rd-party software).
A potential disadvantage is that you might lose a factory recovery partition.

And, yes, depending on the path you choose, you may need to update drivers.

>>>Weigh the options & do whatever works best for you.
>>>As always, feel free to follow any other advice offered by other helpers.

Cheers

PS One final thought. This is a brand-new OEM computer (Lenovo?). I don't know the conditions or quality of their warranty support. But, you *might* be able to get help from their Tech Support, especially if you plan to do a factory reset??

Ok….

MoxieMomma & Pkshadow,

 

First and foremost - you’ve both given invaluable help, and I am very grateful for all your advice, and… I don’t want either of you to back out, because you are both making valid points.

 

ok - so what’s best to do.

 

the Macrium image was created as soon as I got a desktop, and nothing else had been installed by me (Office 365, and McAfeewere already there…)

 

What I really want is to reset it to exactly the same state it was when I unpacked it. Is this possible ?

 

i don’t know if this is possible or not, but if not, then the best option is probably the Macrium image. I don’t really want to be hunting motherboard drivers or contacting Lenovo support unless I have to….. I’m Ok with uninstalling time limited software etc. There’s a lot of Lenovo apps on there as well, but I can probably get over that.

 

i have searched reset options:

 

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/recovery-options-in-windows-31ce2444-7de3-818c-d626-e3b5a3024da5

 

is this going to keep the drivers ?

 

I will also create a recovery drive as soon as I can too.

 

Thanks

 

also… “Before beginning the factory reset process, back up all important files. You might also want to make sure that you have the serial numbers and/or usernames and passwords for any registered apps handy for when you go to reinstall them later.

The process for resetting your PC differs slightly for each version of the operating system. 

For Windows 11, click Start > Settings > System > Recovery > and then click Reset This PC. You’ll then follow the onscreen instructions.”

Edited by davec1510, 09 February 2024 - 03:54 PM.

Hi:

 

Even for the “non-destructive” options that (theoretically) allow you to keep your “stuff”, it’s strongly advised to make sure everything is backed-up somewhere (cloud and/or USB external hard drive, etc.), just in case.

 

Sometimes this can become overwhelming. If you’re not in a particular hurry, it might be advisable to take a breather for a day or so before diving in. Then research the pros, cons & applicability of each  strategy for your specific circumstances.

 

-- Also consult your computer manufacturer’s support site for brand-specific instructions.

 

To recap:

 

--  RESTORE MACRIUM IMAGE:

https://knowledgebase.macrium.com/

 

These are certainly NOT the only good tutorials. They are just representative, well-illustrated examples from reputable sources.

 

-- RESET (option to keep your stuff/non-destructive):

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/reset-windows-11-pc.433/

https://www.lifewire.com/factory-reset-windows-11-pc-7373718

Also consult your computer manufacturer’s support site for brand-specific instructions

 

-- REPAIR INSTALL via IN-PLACE UPGRADE (theoretically non-destructive):

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/repair-install-windows-11-with-an-in-place-upgrade.418/

 

 

-- CLEAN INSTALL (just what it says):

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/clean-install-windows-11.99/

              Backup & restore drivers:

              https://www.elevenforum.com/t/backup-and-restore-device-drivers-in-windows-11.8678/

Again, clear concise advice, for which I thank you.

Having read both the guides below, I am thinking that I should go with the one shown.

This seems to give me what I need:

 

Reinstalls Windows 11 what I need

Keeps all user accounts and personal files in C:\users I will of course back all this up.

it removes apps (and drivers = none) that I installed (tweak),

removes changes I made to settings (all these can be redone -they’re only background settings etc)

restores any apps your pc came with (eg McAfee and Office 365 (which I will uninstall properly)

but I will contact Lenovo Support too

 

Thanks (again)

 

Keep my files> Change settings > Preinstalled apps On

• Reinstalls Windows 11.
• Keeps all user accounts and personal files in C:\Users.
• Removes apps and drivers you installed.
• Removes changes you made to settings.
• Restores any apps your PC manufacturer installed if your PC came with Windows 11.

 

RESET (option to keep your stuff/non-destructive):

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/reset-windows-11-pc.433/

https://www.lifewire.com/factory-reset-windows-11-pc-7373718

Also consult your computer manufacturer’s support site for brand-specific instructions

Dave, please don't fret over the number of errors that Event Viewer reports because every computer will have them - even on new computers. Analysing and worrying about those errors on a computer that's seemingly running fine will only give you unnecessary nightmares. My newish laptop shows 56 errors in the past 24 hours and I invite Shadow and Momma to check their Event Viewers too and I'm sure they'll find loads as well.

 

Unfortunately Speccy doesn't work too well with modern hardware and frequently wrongly reports "SMART not supported" for hard drives. If you're concerned about the health of your hard drive then open a Command Prompt window as Administrator then issue the command wmic diskdrive get status  - that will query the hard drive's built-in error reporting technology. If the status shows "OK" then everything's probably fine.

 

Likewise, if you're worried about the RAM then use the "Windows Memory Diagnostic" tool that's built-into Windows.

Hi Secret-Squirrel - I’m not unduly worried about the errors unless the RAM or Drive is faulty. I’m sure all my other PCs are similar, but having potentially messed up by installing tweak tonremove the shortcut arrows, I think I should try and get it back to the way it should be. 
inknow there will be errors, but I also know I uninstalled McAfee wrongly, and possibly Office 365 (my original issue).

 

good advice to run those two tools - I will do that first.

 

Thanks

Absolutely agree that it's best to steer clear of Windows Event Viewer unless one is trying to diagnose a specific problem. Even then, it can be a real rabbit hole. Just ignore it for now.

If you making a lot of changes to the system (such as installing a lot of Wundows Updates to get your system updated from the build on factory image to the current build, or installing software or drivers, etc) then it's not unreasonable to run DISM & SFC from time to time to fix minor, sometimes subtle, OS glitches.
Some users run DISM & SFC every month after Patch Tuesday - possibly overkill.

Since you have Windows 11 HOME, you don't have Group Policy editor. But there is a bat file at elevenforum.com to configure Windows Update NOT to allow driver updates (linked way back in an earlier reply). This is important because MS will offer old/outdated drivers. You should instead get them from your OEM.

Windows 11 can also be configured to block Windows Update from surreptitiously installing BIOS updates. You can consider doing that at some point. Like drivers, it's best to get BIOS updates only from the manufacturer.

Cheers

Unless you have a "lemon", your brand-new hardware should be fine.

In addition to the tests already suggested, most of the OEMs have some sort of pre-boot hardware diagnostics.

But again, unless you're seeing abnormal performance, I would not obsess about this now, especially in a brand-new computer.

TBH I think most of your original issues were self-inflicted, albeit unintentionally, by using multiple tweaking tools, not uninstalling conflicting/superfluous trial software, etc.

If you stick to standard "best practices" you should be fine.