The culprit is security patch KB2753842 (12-11-12), in my case, in Windows 7, 64-bit, I have talked to Microsoft and reported this as an issue. In the meantime, hit a previous restore point and re-install all service patches except for the one above. Right click on the link to that patch and HIDE it. Then, update your antivirus and you're back to normal.
This also affects CorelDRAW X5 FWIW!
It was a PAINFUL process of elimination, but I finally figured it out!
I will post whatever I hear back from Microsoft.
I hope this has been helpful!
Gary G.
I am having the same problem at work with X4 running on XP. Fortunately I have another Windows 7 machine running X6. Do you think a restore might work on the XP machine?
Tommy Westbrook said:I am having the same problem at work with X4 running on XP. Fortunately I have another Windows 7 machine running X6. Do you think a restore might work on the XP machine?
Tommy, the solution is here (solution was also reported above, you must have skipped over it)
Well, I still am "not quite sure" what to do on XP, even though I read all those posts. Would the Patch Number BE THE SAME on XP?
Tommy Westbrook said: Well, I still am "not quite sure" what to do on XP, even though I read all those posts. Would the Patch Number BE THE SAME on XP?
Yes. The 'patch number' really is the number assigned to the article that describes the patch, what it does, what it corrects, and which versions of Windows the patch 'corrects'.
When I read the article, on MS web site, it included WinXP among those that the patch is targetted at.
Thanks, Hugh. That's what I needed to know.
I have turned off automatic updates since Microsoft tried to reinstall that accursed patch. I suggest everyone do the same.
more info here
http://www.signs101.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101766