I've had this problem for a while now, and I've kind of helped it a little...I used to get a message after a McAfee update, on restart, that "Windows could not upgrade the file %1 from %2 %1:%2." I was given a means to correct this from various places including here I think, all to do with deleting the old system restore folder and creating a new one, some slight differences, but basically the same thing, some worked some didn't but that is sorted now, or so it seems. Now, when I update McAfee, I simply get the message, "Window could not upgrade one or more system files before starting. Windows may not start or run properly. If Windows fails to start, run SETUP again." This may or may not be to do with the McAfee update, as upon checking, the update has always 'taken', and is all up to date. It might just be to do with the fact that this is the only update program I have that requires a restart, (spywareblaster, and spybot S&D don't require restarts). One thing that may be involved is this, the latest active X that is required for some sites I visit, doesn't always 'stick', I have to reload it every so often (I wonder if it's because I am still on ME, and it doesn't really suit it). I have a workarond for that problem, I simply visit one of the sites (bigstockphoto) and it reloads itself automatically, savig me having to do anything. The fact that it does this every so often, makes me realise that the active X isnot always 'taking'. So the Windows message, above, might be reffering to the activeX, rather than McAfee. Any ideas? Gary

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283069 There was a revision to that article in May last year adding more information.

Why not dump Crap-Afee & try one of the freebies such as Avast! or AVG Free? http://www.filehippo.com