Windows cannot find %path%\Steam.exe

[Kid_Psychotic]

I've run into issues with Steam over the past week however tonight it finally stopped loading. I uninstalled the entire program numerous times while also cleaning out the registry and rebooting. Nothing. SteamSetup will give me the same error "Windows cannot find C:\Program Files(86)\Steam\Steam.exe". I can go to the directory and run it specifically and will receive the same error.

My last fresh install was in January. x.x

[Forcen]

Cleaning the registry? That sounds bad..

What if you just do the exact basic things they say here: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3352-RYON-4107&l=
No cleaning stuff.

[Kid_Psychotic]

I did those steps as well, to no avail. I am not confused by the registry. I am confused why the file I double click in it's folder location comes up "Cannot be found" while being physically... well.. virtually in front of me.

[Silicon Vampire]

Either corrupt registry/OS or hardware failure

[Kid_Psychotic]

I am thinking about doing another fresh install. There is nothing but the OS and Steam on this SSD anyways.

[PawDiddySweezy]

I had this issue and found this autorun application via Windows Support that solved my issue. The link is https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autoruns ... I followed the instructions on the page and then unchecked all the items under the everything tab that was highlighted in yellow. I then restarted my computer and everything is running fine again. I hope this helps someone else as well.