My computer is possessed!!! HELP!

EzioAuditore said:

-Does this happen even when the pc is not connected to internet?
-You said some people come by and use your pc. There is a possibility that someone might have installed a remote administration tool by which they can do many stuffs like opening apps, taking screenshots, opening cd tray etc. Can you trust those people?
- Check your task scheduler if there's any task listed corresponding to your problems.

My pc is always connected to the internet, so I wouldn't know. It seems to only happen when I'm not sitting on it though. I'm never just here typing and a program pops up on the screen.

HA! And yes I can trust my friends. I've known them for 28 years and checking email is about as tech savvy as they get. Even though I came off with a paranoid vibe about this whole mystery, I was sorta joking and just curious whats causing this to happen or if its ever happened to anyone else. Can't believe some of you guys even thought of that. What kind of friends do you guys have? How paranoid are YOU guys? lol

gregrocker said:

Uncheck everything in that list except Avira to see how running a Clean Boot helps.

You are the master of your computer, not random programs angling to run at Startup so they can gather marketing information on you. If you need one then you'll know it because some functionality you desire will be missing. Then you can enable it again in the Program preferences or in msconfig.

XP was a different situation where System functions were thrown into msconfig requiring Googling each until you became familiar with if it was absolutely needed. Gradually after SP3 critical System services disappeared from msconfig>Startup.

I would do the same in the msconfig>Services tab after Hiding All MS services.

Rather than just ignoring the step to turn off Scheduled tasks, why not ask back before I had to ask you again. It's ridiculous to ask for help and then ignore some of the top experts in the field.

Take a screenshot of your Scheduled Tasks window and we'll advise you. You can also google them to see what they're for. But why would you let anyone except yourself be in charge of what your computer is running and when?

I didnt ignore anything. I asked you what you wanted me to do. Cause when I looked there wasnt much there. Is this it?

Yeah it's not the problem. So get a clean boot and let us know what happens - or doesn't!

Alright. I followed all your advice. Ill wait a few days and see if it happens again.

Install and run a Full Scan with Malwarebytes?????

Nope. Still doing it guys. Noticed last night about 8-9 different applications were open on my desktop. Ive been shutting my modem off too.

I'd want a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 with nothing more than the tools and methods given used to install and maintain Win7.

Resist adding a lot of crapware - nothing except your most important programs, using only the tools built into Win7 and recommended in tutorial.

Run a clean boot at all times.

Tech enthusiasts NEVER run the factory preinstall but always clean reinstall just the OS. Until you do this you don't even have a clean install.