Is it possible to Refresh/Reformat windows without losing the installed programs?

croxfade

Honorable
Feb 12, 2014
7
0
10,510
I have windows 8.1 installed in my pc and something is changing my windows update setting to never check for updates and it happens randomly. I have bit-defender installed and have used other online scanners (F-secure, ESSET NOD32) to scan for viruses and stuff but nothing. Used malwarebytes and super anti spyware...didn't get anything. I used a process monitor to check and see at the exact time when when this notification comes through action center and see if any process is changing the windows update settings but nothing shows up. I also already did the sfc/scan and still nothing. Btw this all happened after I reformatted my pc and I installed all the softwares that I had before. This is getting really annoying and I don't know what to do besides refresh or reformat but I would have to re-install everything.

I want to get my windows working properly but I have so many programs (well not that many but it still takes considerable amount of time re-installing all of it since you need to restart all the time). I know it might not be a big deal since I can just change back the settings till it happens again randomly but the msg it keeps popping and something in my pc not running properly is really bugging me. Just as a side note sometimes it does not even occur, last night I left my pc on at night and didn't see any of the settings changed but other times when I go afk it does.

Please I really need help from all you smart people out there because this annoyance is making me feel like an idiot.
 

croxfade

Honorable
Feb 12, 2014
7
0
10,510


I forgot I had asked this question here. I should've already closed this. It was no virus or anything, it was bitdefender antivirus. Bitdefender isn't smart to know if I am gaming or doing normal stuff so when I had set it on auto pilot it would think I was playing games so would switch to gaming profile during which updates are forbidden.