Two desktops running at the same time. Background programs running.

[IzzyKray]

I noticed this issue a little while back. As I shutdown/restart my laptop, I notice it switches to a secondary desktop that has been running programs.
A good example would be trying to open my Task Manager, I can Ctrl-Alt-Del and it will allow me to open Task Manager - however when I click on Task Manager, it opens on the Desktop running in the background.
I can't even access the Desktop in the background, it only shows up as I'm shutting down - closing programs that I tried opening awhile ago.

I really hope this makes sense.. it's getting frustrating.

 

[TVeblen]

It sounds like you have a virtual desktop.

This is not something that could 'just happen' in Windows 7. You would need to install a third party program to do this.

So if you did not install anything that might add virtual desktop capability, or this is not a situation where you inherited or obtained this computer from someone else and are not quite sure what is installed on it, then I would suggest first running virus and malware scans to start.

 

[IzzyKray]

Well that's a little troubling.. I'll look into virtual desktops - I'm assuming it's some sort of Malware, but I've ran a few different checks and it didn't come back with anything too obvious. Any suggestions for free malware scanners? Or any other way to get rid of this?

 

[TVeblen]

Lots of folks here like free Malwarebytes.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

You are sure it is nothing you did (installed)?

 

[IzzyKray]

I don't recall intentionally installing some sort of virtual desktop - all I can think of is recently installing Freenet, which I can't seem to get rid of. I wouldn't be surprised if that had something to do with it.

 

[TVeblen]

Don't know anything about Freenet.

Try using CCleaner or RevoUninstaller to get rid of it.

 

[IzzyKray]

TVeblen, just tried Malwarebytes and it did the trick. Thanks so much for the responses! You just saved me a massive headache, cheers! I had an embarrassing amount of Trojans and backdoor agents...

 

[TVeblen]

So glad to hear that!

And thank you for teaching me to stay far away from Freenet.