My windows update is turned off!

It sounds like you could have a virus or other malware. Get your antivirus program up to date and boot into Safe Mode.  Note that some viruses can hide themselves from your antivirus program in normal mode, so you really need to scan in Safe Mode.  To get into Safe Mode when you first power up, hit F8 about once a second until you get the menu and select Safe Mode.  Then run a full system scan.

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  Microsoft has suggestions and offerings at

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/how-do-I-remove-a-computer-virus

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 Forum moderator Keith has some suggestions along this line at

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/windows-explorer-has-stopped-working/6ab02526-5071-4dcc-895f-d90202bad8b3

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 If that fixes it, fine. If not, use System Restore to go back to a date prior to the beginning of the problem.  To run System Restore, click Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore.  Click the box that says Show more restore points.

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 You can check for corrupted system files.  Open an administrator command prompt and run SFC if the above doesn't help. Click START, then type CMD in the search box, right-click CMD.EXE and click Run as administrator. Then from the command prompt type sfc /scannow.

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 Finally if all else fails, you can check the rather cryptic system event log.  To do so click Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Event Viewer.  Once in Event Viewer click on the system log and scroll through the entries looking for those flagged "error" to see if you can find hints as to where the problem could be.

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 I hope this helps.  Good luck.

Please answer each of the following [admittedly tedious]diagnostic questions in a correspondingly-numbered list in your very next reply, preferably without quoting this post:

1a. When (approx. date) did you purchase the computer?

1b. Did Win7 come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it, did you do a clean install of Win7, or did you upgrade from Vista to Win7?

2a. Is Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (already) installed? See...

   • Which version of the Windows operating system am I running?

      http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/which-version-of-the-windows-operating-system-am-i-running

2b. Is it a Win7 64-bit computer?  See...

   • Is my PC running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows?

      http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/find-out-32-or-64-bit

3. What is the full name of your installed anti-virus application or security suite and when (approx. date) does your current subscription expire?  What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender) are installed?  What third-party firewall (if any)?
4. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer?
5. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [pick one] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)
6. Are ALL of the following updates listed in View installed updates (not Update History)? [1]

    (a) KB2675157 & KB2653956;

    (b) KB2621440, KB2667402, KB2641653, KB2665364 & KB2647518;

    (c) KB2654428, KB2631813, KB2644615, KB2584146 & KB2585542;

    (d) KB2656372 or KB2656373 [<=TELL ME WHICH ONE]

    (e)  KB2633879 or KB2633873 [<=TELL ME WHICH ONE]

    (f) KB2633171 or KB2556532 [<=TELL ME WHICH ONE]

    (g) KB2656355 or KB2656356 [<=TELL ME WHICH ONE]

    (h) KB2544521 or Windows Internet Explorer 9 [<=TELL ME WHICH ONE]

7. What Java (JRE) version is currently installed?  TEST HERE => http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp 
8. Is Firefox, Chrome or any other alternate browser installed?
9. Are you in the habit of using "Registry cleaners" (e.g., Registry Mechanic; System Mechanic; RegCure; RegClean Pro; Advanced SystemCare; Registry Booster; McAfee QuickClean; AVG PC TuneUp; Norton Registry Cleaner; PCTools Optimiser; SpeedUpMyPC; Advanced System Optimizer; TuneUp Utilities; WinMaximizer; WinSweeper; CCleaner)?

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[1] Start | Control Panel | Programs and Features | View installed updates (in left-hand menu)

[PS: UR '73 here - Meliora! ]

So, I started with your directions and went to scan in safe mode well, I sign in with my figerprint when I log into windows 7 been doing it for years. I have never had to sign into safemode,EVER! Well today I did with my fingerprint or I always have the option to use my windows password but havent used it in years and have no idea what it is.

Well, I guess in safemode is doesn't load the extra conveinces so I couldn't get into safe mode, So i thought i'd be smarter than the computer and used the old fashion way of getting into safe mode by typing in ahead of time and i typed in msconfig thinking that way I'd already be in coming straight from the pc but the trick was on me because it still wanted my password not recognizing the finger printer at all.

So now Iam stuck in safemode cuz you have to take it out of safe mode once your back in windows normally.   So I found myself completely locked out of my entire computer. I did find and old rescue disc from 1 year ago that got me in. But my restore points were turned off which I would have never done and theyv'e all been deleted!

ww.driverupdate.net/download.php

Also, my windows updates have been turned off and may have all been deleted according to Brlarc too. I can't remember ever having to sign in to safe mode could a virus have done that?

also, little by litte my programs arn't oprening? I am tring to burn a few import documents I have on here right now.

I thought Id try to give as much info as I could in case it might help someone else. I am going to have to wipe out my system and reload my op system. which is the least thing in the world I want to do right now. unless you or someone else has another idea.

I would really appreciate one moe quesrtion if u or some else dosn't mind and that is if i do wipe evertthing and completely get rid of everything will this completly get rid of this virus? Iam 99,9% sure I got it from a tool that updates all your out dated drivers for you,your windows updates for you and keeps all your software for you too, all in one place. The free tool will tell you which ones need to be updated and it gives you the chance to update each one manually but if you pay the 29.99 you get the windows up dates and softtware all done in the background with no user intervention.

So I bought it I always hate updating everything. I always learn the hard way! Not that anyone would be as gulable as me but if I help one person not have to go tthrough this mess it would make my day! If you could answer my question about the virus even though i wipe it all out i'd really appreciate it! I don't see any other way do you? Thanks in advance!!

one more thing i googled slimdriver and I dont remember which link I clciked on that I used and bout but thry are microsoft certified but when u click on the different links they are all called something different.

 So now I am wondering it wasn't a coicidence that I got a virus some other way at the same time I was doing that. I think this whole think is driving me crazy and I am just trying to give accurate info so maybe it helps someone else! Thanks again! For peace of mind I guess I  am reloading my op nothing works anyway right....lol I am just concerened when I noticed Microsoft certifed on some of them and when you did click on other links they were called somthing different each time but maybe thats how they make them there own.I hate to be wrong and put a good product a bad name! Just br careful! I've lost more money on the internet than I'd ever wanr ro talk about but never a virus thata a complete nightmare! God bless everyone!

slimDriver

Thanks a million guys! Iam on my way to following all your instruction right now! Ill let you know how it goes! SlimDrivers gave it to me..if you ever run into it ..they have a free one and to uprgrade for $29.99..if u should run into them. I am suppusedly getting a refund from click bank. Thanks again! Oh and your right microsoft security essentials says I am clean and so does spybot search and destroy. thanks for answering so quickly!!