Corrupt Program Files (x86) Folder?

Question

Every time I install a new program, by default, the root folder is saved in my "C:\Program Files (x86)" folder...

The program works fine for a while, but later (usually after reboot) the shortcuts for opening the program displays the message: "the item referred to by this shortcut cannot be accessed. You may not have the appropriate permissions"

So then I go to the root folder of the program and find I cannot access it before using this:
security tab > continue > and selecting the "Administrators" option (which the error message refers me to) ..and even then, each and every subfolder requires the same action to be opened and ALL the files inside simply cannot open (there isn't another option to 'securely access' them)..

I have tried creating another "Program Files" folder in my secondary built-in HDD and installing some programs' root folders in it.. and it WORKS PERFECTLY.. My main issue at the moment is that Java is giving this error in the "Program Files (x86)" folder (which means that some games and other programs that need it to function, cannot work), but during the installation process it does not prompt me where to install the root folder, so my fix can't work here...

I have even tried creating a whole new administrator account on my pc (and deleting the old one), but this problem persists.

So, is there any way to 'un-corrupt' my Program Files (x86) folder? Is there any way to install Java to my custom Program Files folder?

Note: Over a long period of time I have tried the following programs to check for malware and such..
- Norton 360 (full paid) [uninstalled]
- AVG Free [currently active]
(NO, I DO NOT HAVE 2 ANTI-VIRUSES INSTALLED)
- Spybot - Search & Destroy [installed]
- Malwarebytes [installed]
- CCleaner [installed]

Laptop Specs:

-HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC
-Rating: 5.9
-Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2670QM CPU @ 2.20GHz-
-8.00 GB RAM
-64-bit Operating System
-Windows 7 Home Premium

Answer 1

You should have read and right access permissions to that folder and shouldn't have to take ownership in order to install programs but you can try this right click on the root of the folder and go to properties. go to the security tab and then advanced. effective ownership and make yourself the owner and tick the box that says inherit child permissions.



But don't alter any of the other permissions to the system. You may have a faulty drive and do need to run a chkdisk and i would do that first, but if not try this.

Answer 2

Are you jogging a 64-bit operating system? I run windows 7 - 64 and i've a "program files" folder for all 64-bit programs and a "program records (x86)" folder that holds all 32-bit applications. This is common and expected behaviour. You could set up all programs into the same folder through overriding the default set up listing - however why would you wish to have to do that?

Answer 3

I suspect a failing hard drive or one that is developing errors already. When was the last time you did a Check Disk for errors? I strongly suggest that.



If that fixed the corrupted folder, you still must reinstall all programs that are in that folder to reconstruct them.