Add/Remove Programs: Access is denied

Comodo Internet Security - CIS Resolved/Outdated Issues - CIS
#1

Dell Vostro 2510 laptop, Intel Core Duo 1.8GHz, 3 GB RAM
32 bit XP Pro SP3, IE7, fully updated, Windows Firewall disabled
CIS 3.8.65951.477 installed with AV and Firewall

  • AV enabled
  • Firewall in Safe Mode
  • D+ in Safe Mode
    No other security software installed

Logged on as a user in the Administrators group, I suddenly can’t access Add/Remove Programs from the control panel. I get an error dialog box saying “Error loading C:\WINDOWS\system32\shell32.dll, Access is denied.” CIS gives no popup or other notification. Rebooting does not fix the problem. Disabling CIS AV does not help. Both my Pending Files list and Blocked Files list are empty. No problems are reported by the CIS Diagnositics. There are no entries for this problem in the Windows Application, System, or Security logs.

I had to lower the D+ setting all the way to disabled before it would allow me to run. Then it worked normally. I did not have to use the “Permanently deactivate D+” option. (But at this point I probably will – what’s the point of keeping it running if I have to leave it disabled?)

Zipped screen capture video and exported D+ log are attached.

[attachment deleted by admin]

#2

The alert we get says,

[Error loading C:\WINDOWS\system32\shell32.dll//Access is denied.]

We use WinXP SP3, and we have Comodo, Javacool’s SpywareBlaster, and Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware, as well as Avast! Professional Edition and Windows Live OneCare Pro. We do not want to disable any of our protection. Is there a fix for this issue?

Please advise ASAP. Thanks!

#3

May be you chose to block the shell32.dll in a pop up of rundll32.exe.

Go to Defense + → Advanced → Computer Security Policy → look up rundll32. To look up push ctrl+f → type %windir%\system32\r in the search field and select rundll32.exe → click on access rights → Blocked applications → now see if shell32.dll is in the list and remove it. Remember to close all screens by clicking Apply or OK.

#4

[Ctrl][f] doesn’t do anything. rundll32.exe is listed in the Security Policy table, but not the other files. What now?

#5

Double click on rundll32.exe then do as follows: click on access rights → Blocked applications → now see if shell32.dll is in the list and remove it. Remember to close all screens by clicking Apply or OK.