1. Install the utilities program called “jv16” and run it in the super-safe mode to clean and repair your Windows registry.
2. De-fragment your hard drive periodically (perhaps once per month) if your version of Windows is XP, using the utility that comes with your Windows system. Windows 7 and above do this automatically and do not require manual defragmentation.
3. If your computer continues to run poorly and there is nothing physically wrong with your computer, the operating system may be damaged (damaged files or missing files). In that case, one of the best solutions is generally to reinstall Windows (and reformat your hard drive in the process). When you reformat your hard drive, it will delete the software that was installed on it previously. Because of this you will need to reinstall your Windows programs after you reinstall Windows. However, in that case, immediately go to the beginning of part of this article “Rid Your Computer of Viruses and Malware” and install your resident antivirus program before you reinstall your Windows programs.
4. After installation of your other Windows programs, install the other anti-malware products that I previously recommended, and re-scan your computer very completely with 1) your resident antivirus program and afterward with 2) SuperAntiSpyware, and 3) Emsisoft Anti-Malware, in that order. Occasionally, malware has even been known to come on commercial program disks.
Whenever you scan your computer with any of these other programs, always scan your computer FIRST with your resident antivirus program. Otherwise, you may experience conflicts.
IF YOU ARE GOING TO REFORMAT YOUR HARD DRIVE AND REINSTALL WINDOWS THEN: If you have already purchased Bitdefender OR Avira (or your choice of a resident antivirus program) and jv16, be sure to make a copy of each of the install files on CDs or on an external hard drive (unless you have the install CD or DVD) so that you won't lose them when you reformat the internal hard drive of your computer. Be sure to make backup copies of your license file (for jv16) and record exactly what your license key is for your resident antivirus program. Note that a license file (which they send to you in your e-mail) is used for jv16 rather than a license key.
5. As a general consideration, it should be noted that some computers may not boot up properly when some external hard drives (or perhaps certain other external devices that the computer may view to be possibly bootable) are plugged into them before they are booted. If you wish to boot from an external hard drive, do some research on that drive and find out if anyone has had problems with using it in that fashion.