Hello to all the experts,
I am hoping someone can help me with this problem, though it happened just one time. I want to make sure that the next time I encounter this, I will be able to do what’s needed.
I am working on my computer and I have several programs opened. Communicator, Outlook, Word, Excel and some Internet Explorer open when all of a sudden, my computer hanged and that too many applications that I do not recognize is in my task bar. Mainly, I noticed that McAfee is there too and I noticed that all applications in my system tray automatically opened. Is this a virus?
Kindly help me.
Unrecognized applications began popping up
Hi Carl Andrews,
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First of all lets deal with too many programs running in your windows operating system.
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Click on Start> Run> Type msconfig and hit enter or press windows key followed by r for the run window to appear.
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In the msconfig window, go to Startup tab other than McAfee and the programs you require to start on windows startup leave them checked, uncheck all other programs which might be the cause of slowing down your computer every time you boot. Click apply.
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In the same msconfig window, go to Services tab and put a tick mark on Hide all Microsoft services (very important do this without fail) and follow the same steps as before have the tick mark only on McAfee and essential programs alone. Click apply and ok and restart the computer.
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Now as soon as the computer restarts, you might find some changes since we disabled unwanted programs running at Windows startup.
To deal with the situation wherein your desktop gets hung up or mouse click doesn't respond.
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Press CTRL + shift + ESC key altogether and you would find the windows task manager coming up.
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Go to Processes tab, Click on User Name which sorts the computer users in this case lets assume Carl is the user you have logged in. It gives you list of programs running currently. Select the one which you prefer it to be ended and click on End Process.
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In addition to this if the whole desktop isn't responding then in the same task manager Window go to Processes tab, Click on the name explorer.exe and choose end process (your desktop goes blank on doing this, don't panic). In the same task manager Window Click on File–>New task(Run)–>type explorer and press enter. Now the desktop should be accessible much better.
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Download this free program for spyware from the link.
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Have them downloaded and install the application, run a complete scan. This should remove any unwanted programs/Spyware.
Unrecognized applications began popping up
It seems that you run too many programs during Windows startup in any way it also connects to their website to fetch for updates for their program.
Best way is to scan your PC with Malwarebytes as some adware may be present during startup which cause your PC not to respond to too many applications opened.
After installation perform a quick scan and restart your PC when asked. Next is to disable those unwanted programs on startup.
You may use msconfig but I suggest you use autorun as
this freeware tool displays everything that runs during startup and just uncheck the entries to disable.
