Virtual Machine vanished, Windows 7

[JackBN]

System: Core i7-6700K at stock speed; 32GB 2633 RAM, ASRock Z170-Extreme 7+, no video or other cards.
This system is stable in every other respect.

Every week or two, my Virtual Machine vanishes, and I loose all my recent work.
Then I switch to a backup clone drive, and rebuild the lost work inside XP Mode.

When the failure occurs, the link to the virtual machine does not appear at its proper location:
"C:\Users\Z170-1\Virtual Machines\Windows XP Mode 2.vmcx"

TWO QUESTIONS:
First, how can I place: Windows XP Mode 2.vmcx back in the Virtual Machines folder?
That folder is locked. Perhaps replacing the link will fix the issue.

Second, the chief suspects (just now considered suspects) are:
CCleaner registry cleaner
AVG Internet Security

Any advice welcome.

 

[Ketchup]

Not a fix per se, but do you still have a copy of Window XP with a key? Personally I would just use that to make my own virtual machine with a real VM software (I like Vmware Player, but I know there are plenty out there that like VirtualBox). I used XP mode a bit when 7 came out and remember it being a little quirky. Can't say I had that particular problem though.

 

[JackBN]

I downloaded XP Mode from Microsoft when I built the computer, about two years ago, no charge.
Don't recall the details. Never had a CD or flash version. The DOS program I still need requires extended memory or expanded memory (forget which), and attempts to use other virtual machines were (probably my fault) unsuccessful.

Since posting, I cloned my drive and tried to kill XP Mode by using CCleaner registry editor, and also ran AVG antivirus scans. Neither affected XP Mode in the test.

I also recalled how to use cmd.exe to run as administrator, and now will insert the missing link next time it vanishes. Hopefully this will enable a dead XP Mode to run again.