One popular form of attack used by malware is disabling Window's components such as the Command Prompt, System Restore, and Task Manager. Re-enable is a simple portable tool that allows users to easily re-enable Windows' RegEdit, Command Prompt, Task Manager, Run, Folder Options, and System Restore:
Using Re-enable cannot get any easier. Simply download the program, run it, select what you want to re-enable, and hit "Enable".
Re-enable comes in two forms: one is a portable 36.7 MB download; the other is a 64 KB download but requires .NET Framework to be installed. Just a word of warning: a-squared Anti-Malware claims the non-.NET, portable one contains malware; however Avira did not detect anything, and Softpedia vouches it is 100% clean so the a-squared detection is probably just a false positive.
Last but not least, currently Re-enable is v1.00; in the next v2.00 the developer plans on adding the ability to re-enable many other Windows' components:
Screenshot by the developer
You can grab Re-enable from the following links:
Version reviewed: v1.0.0.0
Supported OS: Windows XP, Vista, Win7
[via Raymond.cc]
>>jv16 PowerTools - The Ultimate System Cleaning and Error Fixing Utility Suite
RoseD1st
Oh my this looks very handy to have :) Thanks Ashraf
Ashraf
@RoseD1st: You are welcome =).
jimorris77
What exactly do you mean by .net installed ?
Locutus
@jimorris77: .net is a “software framework” which some people program in. It’s designed so that instead of having to program every little bit of the code, developers can call on pre-existing pieces of the framework- the reason that the portable is almost 37MB larger than the non-portable one. To tell which version you have installed, paste %systemroot%\Microsoft.NET\Framework into the address bar of a window. Open one of the folders inside (v3.5, v3.0, v2.0.50727, v1.1.4322, v1.0.3705) and right-click the Mscorlib.dll file, and then click Properties. Look at the Version tab: that’s the version of .NET you have. (source: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/kb00318785.aspx)
If you keep your computer updated then you probably already have the latest version.
Ozzie
Brilliant find, Ashraf! A must-have tool by the look of it! Many thanks!
Shi
Neat! I definately put this in my toolbox. Thanks
Liam K
How does this compare to the options in SUPERAntiSpyware?
Ashraf
@Locutus: Ditto. However the developer of Re-enable does not specify which .NET is needed as far as I know.
@Ozzie: You are welcome =).
@Shi: You are welcome =).
@Liam K: Not really sure; I have not explored SAS enough to know. Do you have any input on the matter?
Liam K
Well, I haven’t tried any of them, but SAS claims to repair:
Start Menu Run
System File Checker
System Tray
Task Manager
Windows Control Panel
Windows Explorer Folder Options
Home Page Reset
Internet Zone Security Reset
Local Page Reset
Remove Desktop Screen Saver
Remove Explorer Policy Restrictions
Remove Internet Explorer Policy Restrictions
Remove WinOldApp Policy Restrictions
Remove/Reset Windows Desktop Background/Wallpaper
Repair broken Network Connection (WinSock LSP Chain)
Repair broken SafeBoot key
Repair broken Windows System Restore Service
Reset Desktop Components
Reset Desktop Policies
Reset URL Prefixes
Reset Web Settings
Reset Windows Clock Time Display (12 Hour Format)
Reset Windows Clock Time Display (24 Hour Format)
Reset Winlogon Shell
Reset ZoneMap Settings
User Agent Post Platform Reset
User Agent Reset
Haha, that was exhausting.
OldElmerFudd
Ashraf, very nice find, indeed. The thread in Raymond CC where hellnoire first asked the question that lead to this. I hadn’t planned on building a Win 7 Ultimate desktop back then (V.2, not out yet), but it was such a good idea, I started following it. The author is very responsive, and constantly incorporates suggestions when possible. http://www.raymond.cc/forum/general-forum/12672-re-enable-project-ideas-and-suggestions.html
Ken
Thanks for another must have tool. You do such good work.
Ken
hahaguy
“so the a-squared detection is probably just a false positive”
It isn’t “probably”…it IS a false positive. No doubts about that. ;)
Sputnik
Hi Ashraf !
Thank you again for your good work.
Each day I don’t do anything with the GOTD offer till I see your review on it…
Concerning the actual software, would you please let me suggest to take a look at “XP Quick Fix Plus”, which tou may find at this address :
http://leelusoft.blogspot.com/2009/10/xp-quick-fix-plus.html
Have a nice day to everybody :-)
Samuel
@jimorris77
If you want a slightly more technical answer you can try reading this post http://dottech.org/tipsntricks/computer-programming/11118