Windows 7: Finding hidden program

How would I find a program that is running in the background and is hidden from the task manager? my friend decided to put an auto-clicker on my laptop and hide it, so i cant find it. ive tried using programs that show all processes, but nothing has appeared. ive looked through msconfig, but theres nothing suspicious. the startup folder is empty. my documents, %temp%, and other folders dont have any files in them that dont belong. ive unhidden the folders, so if it were hidden using properties, i should see it, but i dont. what else can i do?

Try Autoruns.

Manage Hidden Windows Processes, Services, DLLs, StartUp Applications with Microsoft’s Sysinternals AutoRuns

You cannot hide a running program from Task Manager. If this were possible, don't you think that every virus would be hidden?

If it runs as a Device Driver (kernel mode) then it will not show up in Task Manager. That's how some of the Rootkits work and why they are so hard to get rid of.

arggg. i cant seem to find it even with autoruns. i think ive looked through everything, and everything seems fine, either because of the name or description or publisher. and my mouse is still clicking randomly. is it possible to put a program on a mouse that has onboard memory? if so, how do i access it, since i can only access the mouse's settings through the program that came with the mouse, not add a program to the memory?

I think what you are asking, does the mouse have a memory chip inside it's self. NO. The mouse just sends a signal Left, right, scroll, ect. The memory is in your computer.

And when you are done fixing this problem find some NEW FRIENDS.

Can you do a System Restore to before it was put on. System Restore
Jerry

Don't laugh now, I'm serious: Your specs say you have a Lenovo laptop. Is this happening with laptop? Are you sure you are not accidentally touching touchpad when you type? This would cause behavior that looks as if mouse would live its own life, clicking and moving pointer randomly.

This is the most common reason for random clicks and pointer movements among laptop users. Touchpad is a bit too sensitive, part of the hands accidentally touch it when typing. The best method to test if this is the case is to either disable touchpad, or use an external keyboard for a while. If random clicks and movements end, that was the culprit.

Kari

i have a g9x mouse, which actually has some real memory in it. and no, i am not touching the trackpad by accident. i think i disabled the clicking on the touchpad. i can leave my laptop alone for a few minutes and if the cursor is near words, they will be highlighted a few times. i would do a system restore, but i did a couple of installations that i dont want to undo. also, when i said i was going to do it, they were confused on why i had to go through a system restore when their fix (whatever it is) would be much easier