Steam and WMP do not respond

so couple of days ago i couldnt get onto steam or WMP and i tried to uninstall them and reintall but nothing works...i scanned for viruses or worms ect. nothing. it just has a pop up saying not responding and my ram wasnt full it was about mid way when they frozze and nothing else was running in the background so im not sure what to do

Hey mate,

What antivirus are you using? Also, what antivirus programs HAVE you used in the past? Sometimes, some of them mess with computer operation, but not always. I have used Avast! and Defender (one after the other), and both I have not had problems with.

Optional: You can install Malwarebytes (Mbam) Free as an adittional full scanner for catching those pesky problems that some Antivirus programs overlook. It is widely acclaimed and I have not heard any negative comments about it: https://www.malwarebytes.org/. I use it regularly on most of my computers, and most of the computers I look after (small business). It is great for removing 'Potentially Unwanted Programs (Bing it!)'.

Firstly: If it was working just a little bit ago, try a system restore. A good thing to do - try speeding things up: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/37511-optimize-performance-windows-8-a.html.
Second: Try a system "SFC" scan: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/3047-sfc-scannow-command-run-windows-8-a.html. <- Make sure you follow all the directions and tips/warnings/etc in that tutorial. If you believe it may be your antivirus at fault, remove it with an uninstaller, such as Revo Uninstaller Free (Bing it!). Use Defender (temporarily) if you choose to do this, and know that you can always reinstall it. Keep in mind that this removal is OPTIONAL, and I haven't a clue as to which one you are even using at the moment.
Third: Remove any program or add-on that you did not expressly want installed on your computer. This includes toolbars, coupon-type programs, search providers installed on the computer, etc. Remove everything you do not want. This will help narrow the issue.
Lastly: Try a refresh: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2293-refresh-windows-8-a.html - This may be a long process, and you may not be able to do it (if you do not have the appropriate resources). If these steps do not work, let me know, and we can continue with other items.

HI! I'm using Avast and in the past I've used Defender and Avg.
i have tried the Malwarebytes and got rid of 100 odd files XD ....but non were the course of my apps not responding.
i then tried a system restore but the oldest one was on the 15th which is when this problem started and there was a problem restoring it anyway something about corrupted or damaged files...i think.
i have also tried SFC scan but everything is fine nothing broken nor damaged and no errors found. i have scanned my PC with Avast and a couple of errors popped up but nothing like a virus or harmful...but i deleted them anyway just encase.
i have narrowed down all my apps to the ones i need here is a list of them:

• Adobe flash player 12 (sometimes doesn't respond)
• AMD catalyst
• AVAST! internet security
• Bittorrent
• Final media player
• HP wireless button Driver
• IrfanView
• Java 7 update 45 (64 bit) ( now doesn't respond)
• Java update 51 ( now doesn't respond)
• Malwarebyres Anti malware version 1.75.1300
• Microsoft Silver light
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 X64 9.0.30729.17 (do i need all of these?)
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 X64 9.0.30729.4148 (?)
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 X64 9.0.30729.6161 (?)
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 X86 9.0.30729.6161 (?)
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 X64 10.0.40219 (?)
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 X86 10.0.40219 (?)
• Firefox X86
• NVIDIA PhysX
• Saints row IV (cant remove it as steam is not responding)
• Start Menu 8
• Synaptics Pointing Device Driver

PS. i couldn't screen shot it as i don't have word or any thing like that....any more
and steam doesn't appear in it as i have moved it from ( C: )to my documents.
I cant refresh my windows as i have a unidentified file signature.

oh And its not just Steam and WMP its now pretty much anything that i can open that doesn't respond apart from Firefox and AVAST.... i dont know if that helps or makes it harder.

And i have just found out that i can open mp3 files but not avi or mp4 which is weird :huh:

Hey mate,

Do you remember possibly what you did that might have caused the problem?

Because you had AVG previously, I would recommend going to their website (http://www.avg.com/us-en/utilities) and downloading their removal tool. scroll down, and select either the 32 bit or 64 bit version, and I believe it depends on your OS. To find out which type of OS you have, you can run this tool, which will tell you: System Info - See Your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums - consequently, you can click on My System Specs at the bottom of any of your posts on this forum, and select the link to update your system specs so that everyone who is helping you can know more about your computer to give better advice. Using that tool enables you to select any specific part of your computer to find out more about the OS and the hardware it is installed on. You will not see it again if you close out of it, unless you rerun it.

I would recommend against the use of any program that has the potential to give you PUPs/viruses/malware (bitorrent or any such peer-to-peer file sharing). That is basically just asking for someone to mess with your computer. Also, I do not use start menu 8, so I cannot confirm if it has the potential to cause any trouble, especially after, say, a windows update. However, windows updates are very important to keep going, so make sure they are all up to date.

As an FYI, you can 'screenshot' by pressing the Print Screen key on your keyboard, and using a program like paint to paste to. additionally, the snipping tool will 'snip' any part of your screen as needed.

To Restore File Extension Associations to Default
Follow this tutorial: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8486-default-file-associations-restore-windows-8-a.html

Restore File Explorer to Default
Go to > Control Panel\Programs\Default Programs\Set Default Programs > and click file explorer, and set it as default

Update Drivers
Go to your computer manufacturer and update all drivers to their newest version. I cannot pinpoint you to the website until you give me more info on your computer (or rather, update your specs on this forum)

Remove older versions of java
Removal using their tool: Java Uninstall Tool

More to come later... let me know if you get through this bit

Also, follow this suggestion here: Cannot start programs anymore - When you get to the 'clean boot' option, test to see if you can launch any of the programs you had trouble with. Try with multiple programs to see if any of them will open.

Consider using Windows Defender Offline to scan for malware: What is Windows Defender Offline Beta? - again, use the version that coincides with your OS Operating System. Keep in mind that this is a Beta version. As it is still in the testing phase, it is a 'use at your own risk' type deal, but it should be safe to use even still.

on the day that apps stopped responding all i downloaded was windows 8 updates and a small game demo off steam. also when i tried to uninstall WMP it said there was a newer version already installed but i couldnt find any files?!
Would it be easier if i just reinstall windows 8 and start fresh?

If it is easier for you, you have that option. You can attempt a refresh first, which might clear up the issue, but has specific resource requirements. Read here: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2293-refresh-windows-8-a.html.

i have tried to tlrefresh my computer but it comes up with an error.
i have also found out that in my task manager therexare qlot of unwanted programs running....could they be cookies or something like that, it not a application

Thanks