The system cannot find the file specified

[birkmaggs]

Can anyone point me in the general direction of how to deal with this problem.
It should be noted that the file does in fact exist (as I see it in "Open Containing folder").
Nor is the file 0 kb.
When i click on the executable directly, I get the plain message "The system cannot find the file specified"
Most of the files seem to be corrupted.
A few of them still open however

Spoiler:

calibre, version 3.39.0
ERROR: Unhandled exception: <b>CriticalError</b>:Failed to launch worker process:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\utils\ipc\server.py", line 229, in do_launch
File "site-packages\calibre\utils\ipc\launch.py", line 228, in __call__
File "subprocess.py", line 394, in __init__
File "subprocess.py", line 644, in _execute_child
WindowsError: [Error 2] The system cannot find the file specified


calibre 3.39 [64bit] embedded-python: True is64bit: True
Windows-10-10.0.17134-SP0 Windows ('64bit', 'WindowsPE')
('Windows', '10', '10.0.17134')
Python 2.7.15+
Windows: ('10', '10.0.17134', 'SP0', u'Multiprocessor Free')
Interface language: None
Successfully initialized third party plugins: Gather KFX-ZIP (from KFX Input) (1, 12, 1) && DeDRM (6, 6, 1) && Package KFX (from KFX Input) (1, 12, 1) && QuarantineAndScrub (3, 6, 103) && Library Codes (1, 0, 38) && Copy Cover To Device (2, 0, 0) && djvumaker (1, 0, 2) && Kindle Collections (1, 7, 23) && Modify ePub (1, 3, 13) && Search The Internet (1, 7, 6) && Extract ISBN (1, 4, 4) && FanFicFare (3, 4, 0) && KFX metadata reader (from KFX Input) (1, 12, 1) && KFX Input (1, 12, 1) && DOC Input (1, 0, 1) && KindleUnpack - The Plugin (0, 81, 5) && Find Duplicates (1, 6, 3) && Clean Metadata (0, 0, 6) && Favourites Menu (1, 0, 4) && TTS Ebook Viewer (0, 0, 2) && Set KFX metadata (from KFX Output) (1, 26, 0) && KFX Output (1, 26, 0) && Generate Cover (1, 5, 21)
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\actions\view.py", line 244, in view_triggered
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\actions\view.py", line 327, in _view_books
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\actions\view.py", line 279, in _view_calibre_books
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\actions\view.py", line 106, in view_format_by_id
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\actions\view.py", line 155, in _view_file
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\actions\view.py", line 125, in _launch_viewer
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\jobs.py", line 284, in launch_gui_app
File "site-packages\calibre\utils\ipc\server.py", line 247, in run_job
File "site-packages\calibre\utils\ipc\server.py", line 220, in launch_worker
CriticalError: Failed to launch worker process:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\utils\ipc\server.py", line 229, in do_launch
File "site-packages\calibre\utils\ipc\launch.py", line 228, in __call__
File "subprocess.py", line 394, in __init__
File "subprocess.py", line 644, in _execute_child
WindowsError: [Error 2] The system cannot find the file specified

[birkmaggs]

The calibre executable is not in my antivirus vault.
I have restarted my machine.
I have not yet reinstalled the calibre program.
I can't add books either. Similar message:
calibre, version 3.39.0
ERROR: Cannot add books: Failed to add any books, click "Show details" for more information.

Failed to start worker process
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\utils\ipc\pool.py", line 201, in start_worker
File "site-packages\calibre\utils\ipc\pool.py", line 189, in create_worker
File "site-packages\calibre\utils\ipc\pool.py", line 73, in start_worker
File "site-packages\calibre\utils\ipc\simple_worker.py", line 167, in start_pipe_worker
File "subprocess.py", line 394, in __init__
File "subprocess.py", line 644, in _execute_child
WindowsError: [Error 2] The system cannot find the file specified

[birkmaggs]

PDFs are the only files that load.
AZW3, MOBI, EPUB are the ones giving the trouble.

OK the files open with an alternative epub reader.

so, should I reinstall?

[birkmaggs]

I reinstalled and everything seems to be ok.

[stumped]

depending what browser you download with, and other obscure w10 settings, sometimes in downloaded file properties you can see "blocked" - windows decides it's from the internet/ from another machine & thus is risky. You can unblock & then its ok. but if you install while it is in a blocked state you don't get a full install....

[theducks]

Or you are using Avast like multiple recent posters did.