completed procedures, desktop still hijacked

Welcome to MGs.

Please follow step 7 of the READ ME and install HJT properly. You are running it from the ZIP files. Also remember to exit browsers before running HJT.
Also attach the required BitDefender log.
Why can't you boot into safe mode? Explain the problem! SmitRem will not work properly if run in normal boot mode.

You also need to uninstall Spyware Cleaner. It is a rogue tool that is not going to help you.

 

Run HijackThis and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = about:blank
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Spyware Cleaner] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Cleaner\SpywareCleaner.Exe" /boot
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - SolidConverterPDF - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - SolidConverterPDF - (no file) (HKCU)
O18 - Filter: text/html - (no CLSID) - (no file)
O18 - Filter: text/plain - (no CLSID) - (no file)

After clicking Fix, exit HJT.
Reboot and see if you can delete the below using Windows Explorer:
C:\Program Files\Spyware Cleaner <--- the whole folder


Now we need to Reset Web Settings:
1) If you have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, goto step 2. If not, skip to step 3.
2) Now right click on your desktop Internet Explorer icon and select Properties. Then click the Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK. Then skip step 3.
3) If you do not have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, click Start, Control Panel (for some systems it may be Start, Settings, Control Panel), Internet Options, Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK.


How are things running at this time?

 

It is possible that just the registry entry remained that I had you fix. The folder may already have been gone! Continue with the below:

Fixing Locked Desktop
Also you should right click on your Desktop and select Properties. Then click the Desktop tab and then the Customize Desktop button. Now in the next window that comes up click the Web tab. Make sure at the bottom that Lock desktop items is unchecked. Then in the Web pages: box delete all items but My Current Home Page and make sure it is unchecked too. Then click OK. Apply. OK.

Now attach a new HJT log and also let me know if your Desktop problem is fixed.

 

You're welcome! Now that you are clean make sure you do step 1 of the READ & RUN ME to dump bad restore points and then continue onto the below:

How to Protect yourself from malware!