Computer slowing down, crashing more often lately

Am not too sure if the lsptop slowing down or it crashing more often lately is due to unnecessary software being installed on my laptop. Will appreciate any advice to which software I can uninstall based on my current listing, thanks so much!





Also, I can't install Microsoft Security Essentials due to a potential clash with other anti virus or malware programmes, so am not too sure if I should uninstall whatever anti virus or malware/spyware programme I have now and just run MSE. When I try to update CCCleaner as well, McAfee reflects the update as being a potential threat to the system as well, so should I still go ahead with the installation, thanks so much!

Looks like you could have several infections to your system. Looking at those screenshots I can already notice several items that could harm your computer or slow it down like you suggested. I would go through that list and uninstall the unused and untrusted applications (first thing I noticed was the toolbars). I would also uninstall McAfee and install Microsoft Security Essentials as your antivirus with windows firewall.

Download Malwarebytes, update and run a full scan.
Next perform a disk cleanup.
Then remove unnecessary startup applications using Autoruns.
I see you have CCleaner, use that as well.

Dear all

Thanks so much for your advice, I have deleted all unnecessary software from my Control Panel, installed MSE and ran a full scan, but there's another problem now ... I've ran 1 full scan and about 3-4 times of quick scan, and each scan has picked up this adware Win32/OpenCandy. Have tried to either remove or quarantine the file, but each time after restarting the computer, the MSE will still detect this adware. Have been tearing my hair out trying to resolve this problem, to no avail, would appreciate any kind advice on how to resolve this, thanks!

A simple search of OpenCandy showed me this possible solution:

Encyclopedia entry: Adware:Win32/OpenCandy - Learn more about malware - Microsoft Malware Protection Center
It is allowed because it isn't a virus, but a PUP -- potentially unwanted program.
And do read this thread: Adware:Win32/OpenCandy: False Positive on WinSCP428? - Microsoft Community
You should be able to remove it by changing your settings in MSE for default actions for all levels to Quarantine. Then under the History, with the radio button selection for Allowed, highlight the detection and select remove to get it off the allowed list. Run a scan and the detection should now quarantine it.
-steve

Adware: Win32/OpenCandy - Microsoft Community

Another site suggested that Malwarebytes can take care of this. Did you install that application I posted in my previous post, update it a perform a full scan?

Dear bulletng

I did install the Malwarebytes as per your instruction previously, have done the scan, but the scan didn't pick it up as a potential malware.

For the every single time I tried to Quarantine or Delete the file via MSE, it will allow me to do so, but upon restarting the system after that, the file is still reflected as a threat on the system.

Dear Layback Bear, I will try the methods you have suggested, thanks much!

Dear Layback Bear

Your suggestion for the adwcleaner helped to remove the OpenCandy adware finally!

Thank you all so much for your suggestions, my laptop is running a lot smoother now than before, and I have backed up the laptop based on the the new settings :)