The problem with the Windows Environment Variables is that some registry cleaners that are too aggressive can remove them even if they're valid, and even with pre-existing directories which they're mapped to, so rather it's a bug in Windows or a registry cleaner for detecting them as invalid I don't know hence the reason to be cautious. If one doesn't pay extra close attention to what exactly will be removed from a too aggressive registry cleaner the result can be getting the Windows Environment Variables wiped out of the registry. So anyone can understand the lump I got in my throat when I had seen RegSeeker list some of the Windows Environment Variables on my system which is why I included those that I currently know of at the moment into the RegSeeker customized exclude.ini file to protect people from a catastrophe when using another cleaning tool that pulls the temp directories from the Windows Environment Variables.
At least the problem is finally figured out and is protected against which is very important. It's nice to know that trusty CCleaner wasn't really at fault!
As Hazel said it doesn't seem to matter what any of us say so I won't waste any more time trying to explain and trying to be friendly to you.
No one bothered before, and wouldnt bother now if it hadnt been for the obvious "oops guess we shoulda took it serious, lets be friendly and hope it helps" factor - deny it all you want, it doesnt matter at all, but its true. What part of 'I went from working 7 hours a day, 5 days a week to my current 12 hours a day 6 days a week because of this, and can't even estimate when I will be caught up again' did you not understand? And no thats not blaming you personally, that is saying - take a minute and just TRY to imagine how you would feel in the same situation. Can't imagine it? That's right, because it didnt happen to you, so get over the attitude about not accepting you 'trying to explain' or 'trying to be friendly' - no one needs fair-weather friends.
As far as the advice about 'backing up my computer? Well thats all fine and dandy, but after 10 years of doing this work online and never loosing a single page of it, you have to realize, if it had not been for CCleaner, I WOULDNT NEED A BACK UP BECAUSE UNTIL RIGHT THIS SECOND I STILL WOULDNT HAVE LOST ANYTHING. Doesnt mean its not a good idea in general, just means that now I should be backing up my computer to protect it from THIS product - lovely. Honestly, I was hoping to find out eventually it WASNT CCleaner that did this, although I knew what I saw and knew it wasnt caused by something else. I had JUST installed it on my brother's computer two weeks before and was hoping I didnt have to tell them to get rid of it because it could cause this, knowing they would always question something I recommend, especially after he loved it. Sorry I'm rambling, but I have been up for 24 hours, had other things to do today on top of the ridiculous work. Anyway, its over and done with, time to forget it all. Hope you guys get everything straightened out with it.
Dont respond - I am gone.