Hi Folks
Many Thanks for all the responses. I have tried the system restore to several different earlier points all to no avail. My data is all there still and accessable via windows explorer except 2 folders which were marked as private. Ive tried renaming the documents folder but also to no avail. I haven't deliberately downloaded anything but I do seem to remember the shield on the shutdown dialogue box indicating updates would be carried out on exit. I will go and peruse the links you have given and again thanks
GG