need assistance - possible problems with a windows 7 pc, using firefox

[Kali]

family member having problems with computer, can't stay connected to wifi and other issues.

today's event: tried to get him to load malwarebytes (notice my previous link since he also can't get into his email)

however when he went to the link his cursor would not let him click the windows free download! WTF??? the little arrow wouldn't turn into a finger and clicking did nothing.

he was able to go from the link at the top right of the page but it wouldn't run after apparently downloading.

he also apparently does not have ms security essentials and it is no longer available for download, though they are updating and supporting through 2023. at least is isn't in "all programs" from the start menu and searching for it by name doesn't turn up anything either.

he is reporting that edge somehow showed up on his tool tray recently??? I'm trying to do taxes but if I need to I can go out there and post from my phone while trying to follow any simple, child friendly, step by step instructions.

any ideas for next steps? (besides updating to 10, and even if he wants to, shouldn't he get rid of whatever the problem is first?)

[soothsayer]

1. Always worth trying "restore to a previous date"

Like a couple weeks ago, a month ago? Back before the trouble began?

Sometimes viruses are so smart, they prevent you from downloading fixes, in which case there are workarounds (where you’re downloading something with a fake name or something).

The Edge is installing itself. Just annoying.

[Kali]

4. yeah he probably should try that again

when he looks, here are the instructions

Click Start ( ), click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click System Restore. The Restore system files and settings window opens. Select Choose a different restore point, and then click Next. Select a date and time from the list of available restore points, and then click Next.

[mr_lebowski]

2. Edge just got a major update, not surprised that's in the tray.

Not a problem, just ignore.

MS Security Essentials is now called Windows Security (or maybe it's Windows Defender) in W10, it may've changed names in W7 as well (not sure if he has it or not, but if you want to find it to download, that's likely what you'd look for). Does he not have a white shield in the system tray? Have him go to Windows Settings/Updates and Security menu. Does he have a menu item for Windows Security on the list on the left?

Honestly there's no logical reason to still be on W7, unless you just cannot afford the upgrade or plan on buying a new PC imminently where it will be installed already. I held on to W7 until the very last day of the free upgrade, and then I was like ... why did I wait? And I LOVED W7. W10 is better.

[Kali]

6. no little shield

he can try setting/update when he sees this

I think it is called Defender for 10, but I have the exact same computer and mine is a little castle with a flag and still called ms Security Essentials. I don't know why it doesn't seem to be on his, didn't it come with 7 automatically? I just do not remember downloading it or not.

as mentioned in previous discussions, I have it on a laptop and never use the laptop because I like 7 and am too lazy to even figure out what 10 is about. and he should probably get rid of whatever is wrong with his machine before trying to update anyway, shouldn't he?

[mr_lebowski]

7. Yes, you don't want to upgrade with a virus, if he indeed has one ...

MSE did not come with W7, no. You had to D/L it and install yourself.

Have him try to grab and install Avast AV. There's a free version for W7 ...

https://www.avast.com/download-thank-you.php?product=FAV-2532-C&locale=en-ww&direct=1

I would recommend backing up everything he cares about on the machine if he hasn't already. Typically this would be the contents of the folder C: Users YourName (put backslash where there are spaces there) but many people put 'stuff' elsewhere as well.

[Kali]

8. I don't think he as anything on there

other than bookmarks and the like. he mostly only watches you tube and reads here

[mr_lebowski]

9. Then he can just download W10 to a USB drive and scorch the friggin' earth

as us nerds call it. Reformat the HD and reinstall a clean windows copy from scratch. Bye bye virus.

W10 works indefinitely for free, it just puts a little transparent message on your desktop and limits some of the 'personalize' options.

Or you can buy a license on ebay for like $5 like I did to get rid of that issue. Mine is even W10 Pro, not just Home version.

Chrome/FF/Edge can all save your bookmarks in the cloud and then you just install it (chrome/ff) on the new machine, log into your account, et voila ... it's just like you were using it on your last machine (or ... copy of windows in this case).

It's not rocket surgery to reinstall windows.

[BootinUp]

10. I just gave up getting avast to work well on win 10

Use it to help clean and then remove it would be my recommendation. It messes with system start up too much. But still good at detection all.

[grumpyduck]

3. Has he or she tried just shutting off and restarting?

I rarely have problems w/ my machine (knock on wood), but usually just shutting off and restarting works.

[Kali]

5. many times

probably wearing it out