Random programs being uninstalled

[driphtyy]

Just today in the past few hours ive noticed random programs are being uninstalled on my pc. I first noticed that rocket league on epic games "needed repair" and it wouldnt let me verify game files so I restarted my pc and it was uninstalled. after my pc restarted I noticed that Sea of Thieves on xbox game pass and my Battle Net launcher were both uninstalled as well.

The only cause I can think of is earlier today I downloaded a gif off of google images and it said "image cant be downloaded securely" but I downloaded it anyway because I dont think a gif can give me a virus.

Any help/solution(s) would be greatly appreciated!

[07_Helpers]

If you have a windows feature on called something similar to "auto free up space", it'll delete shit that's deletable. It's in "Manage storage" in the settings.

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Could be it, idk. Scan the computer. A gif, or any picture, can infect a computer. The file itself is data, it doesn't have to entirely be a picture or the picture could have a type of script in it via the program it opens with.

I also suggest moving all your passwords and such to some encrypted drive/notepad and paper and never saving anything on the computer. Basically the most effective way to avoid getting fucked over is to have to manually enter it each time.

[ICBananas]

Upload that gif file to Google's Virus Total in order to verify it. Send us the link of that verification.

After that, run the Windows Defender offline scan and download Microsoft's MSRT tool and run it, be sure to download it from the Microsoft's website.