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Question

Windows Script File Missing

May 10, 2017 9:23PM PDT

After logging into my computer it appears with a black screen and an error saying that the windows startup file cannot be found. I've followed instructions on multiple other forums that all lead me to "regedit" through task manager, and the file Computer/HKEY_LOCALMACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Script Host\Settings.

All forums suggest that this folder should contain a file named "enabled" and that the data value should be changed to 1 instead of zero. The problem is that, on my computer the "enabled" file does not even exist. Is there any way to create or download this file again?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: script file missing
May 11, 2017 12:33AM PDT

It aren't files in the registry, it are just lines with a label and number or text (in paragraphs in chapters if you like the analogy with a book).

And you can use regedit to add a new line with a new number or new text where-ever you like. So it seems you want to add a line labeled enabled with the value 1. Since your description of the problem and the solution is somewhat vague, I can't promise it will work.

I googled "windows startup file cannot be found" (with quotes) and your post here is the only hit, so it's a quite new problem. And for a new problem you might need a new solution. But it could well be there was another message than you say here, and you found the perfect solution.

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Answer
Just To Let You Know.. I Have No Such Registry Key Here
May 11, 2017 10:41AM PDT

Although I can navigate to Computer/HKEY_LOCALMACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Script Host\Settings, there is no registry value named "Enabled" listed in the "Settings" key/folder there. So my registry is the same as yours and the computer runs fine. I'm using Windows 10 Pro here. Maybe the advice given isn't correct?

The EXACT wording for your startup error might help.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Answer
Solution
May 11, 2017 6:29PM PDT

Hi guys,
Sorry the question wasn't very clear. I was linked to this information through various different sources.
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-enable-windows-script-host . I thought this may be the solution to my problem but it was obviously meant for a different issue.

I could turn my computer on and log into my profile but as soon as I logged in, a black screen came up with an error that said "Can not find script file C:\\WINDOWS\run.vbs". I'm fairly sure this happened due to running a malware cleaner at home.

This is how I fixed it just in case anyone is confused with the same problem as me.

- After logging in press CTRL + ALT +DEL to bring up task manager
- Click File, and select Run new Task
- Type explorer.exe and press enter (this is the step that I kept missing)
- Click File, Run new task again and type [b/}regedit.exe
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon
- Double-click Userinit value and change the value data
- it will say - wscript C:WINDOWS\run.vbs,
- Change it to - C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe, - and include the comma (,) on the end
- Log off then log back in