Windows 7 Updates and Malware enquiry

[rich26]

Hi all, until today I have had MASSIVE issues with my computer taking an enormous amount of time to do anything. eg, opening a word doc was taking up to two minutes. It has been like this for a long time and I suspected malware since my installing chrome a few months ago.
Today however two things happened and it is back to normal!! One, I allowed Java to update or reinstall or something. Two, when the system re-started, it installed OVER 22,000 updates!!!
Guys I was so close to buying a Mac as my son and wife run them and haven't had an issue for years - they are always giving me grief.
I'm wondering how I can explain my computers new found, sensible performance and ALSO how do I keep it this way in the future??
I use an android tab and went to a Samsung note 3 away from iphone due to screen size, but the major hassles ive had with my system have really led me to wonder whether it isn't easier just to go a mac and do my work day in day out without the seemingly endless input required to keep things steady using the windows platform.
are apple better at managing this stuff?? have Microsoft finally got this under control?? as a layman I don't mind the odd investigation on how to fix something minor but I don't want to have to become an expert. PLEASE give me some advice on the above. anything would be greatfuly appreciated. thank you!!!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello and welcome rich mate run these for starters

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html < use the /f option in Option 2 ifnecessary

http://www.superantispyware.com/

http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/

download from bleeping computer – delete any rubbishthese find.

You might even try this out too
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html

The updates always are always very lengthy when installing especially and I keep the settings as in my pic so you can pick what to install or not.

The Mac stuff mate I have not had much to do with and cannot comment the tips innthe optimize tutorial will help out the performance you will find.

 

[rich26]

cheers thanks for that I will get started

 

[HarriePateman]

Hello and welcome rich mate run these for starters

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html < use the /f option in Option 2 ifnecessary

http://www.superantispyware.com/

http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/

download from bleeping computer – delete any rubbishthese find.

You might even try this out too
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html

The updates always are always very lengthy when installing especially and I keep the settings as in my pic so you can pick what to install or not.

The Mac stuff mate I have not had much to do with and cannot comment the tips innthe optimize tutorial will help out the performance you will find.

Brilliant post, i also used these!

 

[Ztruker]

22,000 updates? Not a chance. There haven't been that many updates release from Windows 1.0 through Windows 8.1 Update 1.

I'll believe lots of updates though

 

[rich26]

seriously, was quoting over 22,000 updates... eg. 536 of 22,368 updates. it wizzed through them very quickly, in less than a minute and THEN worked fine like it hadn't for ages - hence my questions
I noticed also that the 'scramble type' stuff that flashed across the screen during mentioned windows registry a lot..
dunno, this is over my head but I do want to get better informed.
thanks for all the help

 

[Layback Bear]

Rich it can't be Windows 7 Updates.
One, their isn't that many.
Two Windows Updates don't give you any scramble type stuff flashes across the screen when updating.

I'm thinking this might be a McAfee thing that is happening.
Many people are not very happy with McAfee and most Windows 7 don't think much of it either.

Do you have SP-1 installed?

 

[rich26]

thanks bear, I don't but i'll go searching for it. cheers

 

[Layback Bear]

From your specs.

Hard Drives 500GB
Antivirus McAfee
Browser explorer 11, google chrome

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Rich have you tried any of the scans yet or the optimize tutorial??

 

[rich26]

I tried the first tutorial but got stuck trying to open an elevated command prompt.
then went for next on the list, the disc check - checked both boxes, got the message that the disk was in use etc... then I stopped myself from throwing the laptop out the window, and went and mowed the lawn which made a bit more sense at the time, and now im back to persevere a little more

by the way..., what is SP-1 chief? (uses best Maxwell Smart voice)

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I tried the first tutorial but got stuck trying to open an elevated command prompt.
then went for next on the list, the disc check - checked both boxes, got the message that the disk was in use etc... then I stopped myself from throwing the laptop out the window, and went and mowed the lawn which made a bit more sense at the time, and now im back to persevere a little more

by the way..., what is SP-1 chief? (uses best Maxwell Smart voice)

Service Pack 1 How To Find What Windows 7 Service Pack is Installed

 

[Layback Bear]

Push the Pause and Windows Flag key and it will pop up.
If you have SP-1 you will see it there.

 

[rich26]

thanks guys, yes I have SP1. I'll see if can get further down the line with what youve provided.

btw, do I need to worry about SP-2 or 3 atm? i'll leave that alone for now unless it s suggested otherwise. thanks again

 

[Computer0304]

thanks guys, yes I have SP1. I'll see if can get further down the line with what youve provided.

btw, do I need to worry about SP-2 or 3 atm? i'll leave that alone for now unless it s suggested otherwise. thanks again

Those don't exist for Windows 7 and most likely will not be since Microsoft will stop adding new features and performance improvements to Windows some time next year and will only make security updates.

 

[rich26]

thanks guys, yes I have SP1. I'll see if can get further down the line with what youve provided.

btw, do I need to worry about SP-2 or 3 atm? i'll leave that alone for now unless it s suggested otherwise. thanks again

Those don't exist for Windows 7 and most likely will not be since Microsoft will stop adding new features and performance improvements to Windows some time next year and will only make security updates.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

ok thanks

 

[rich26]

so.. ran the disk check ok. took a while so I wasn't around for the report at the end but all seems good.

next is step 3 on the list, downloading anti-spyware if I remember correctly.. thank everyone

 

[ICIT2LOL]

so.. ran the disk check ok. took a while so I wasn't around for the report at the end but all seems good.

next is step 3 on the list, downloading anti-spyware if I remember correctly.. thank everyone

Yes mate run those I posted in post #2. If these do not come up with anything we can go further.

 

[rich26]

so.. ran the disk check ok. took a while so I wasn't around for the report at the end but all seems good.

next is step 3 on the list, downloading anti-spyware if I remember correctly.. thank everyone

Yes mate run those I posted in post #2. If these do not come up with anything we can go further.

ran the antispyware and it picked up two browser redirects and then a Trojan, total no. of threats fixed 141 apparantely. will keep going. thank you!

 

[rich26]

update, ran malware fix, twice!! ...seems to be going ok.. movin on to the next step. thanx all