What the hell is Driver Support?

I fell for this thinking since it had Microsoft Windows attached to it, it was legit.

After installing the Driver Support, the system wanted to update to the newest Windows version, but now I can't get my laptop to even turn passed the Dell logo.

Any ideas on what I should do now?

I'm using Windows 7.

I "figured out" via posting  on the net that I need to reset MSN explorer back as a the default program to launch hyperlinks. That's my big accomplishment for today.

Thanks again for your help. I'm not a regular on here, so I'm grateful that an expert reached out to help me.

Thanks for the reply. I'm not a paying customer for any antimalware provider.  I'm using Microsoft Security Essentials for protection.  I recently downloaded and then removed Avast because it wouldn't let me load something for another problem I was trying to solve when trying to finish CD Burner XP for an HD DVD update disc I needed. The "free" CD Burner XP uploaded I got from the Cnet page was one of many CD Burner XP  links from a place called "Software Bunny" or something like that and it loaded about 6 things unknown to me that I had to uninstall.

When I did load Avast it saw Security Essentials and said it would be a conflict and affect performance for security scans as a similar service, but I uninstalled Avast for the moment and just using SE. My friend says when I upgrade to Win10, there is no SE for it, so I will have to consider "some" other antivirus system.

I did run Malware bytes and something else that I don't remember that found a bunch of stuff. The thing I don't like when something goes awry, is the next thing you know you've blown 3 or 4 hours on a perfectly good day to be outside.

I am a novice at best, and when I opened my email and tried to hit the link thread to your reply to view; it took me to My Documents, and same thing when I just tried to hit the VOTE helpful link for you in the email, it took me to My Documents???

I will reach out to a friend about some of these quirks that I have just mentioned. I also have GOOGLE now as my default when opening the Internet, but didn't select it................BUT I do notice my computer is working faster with the Google page instead of MSN explorer which freezes a lot................

We have the same problem at work using MSN, when trying to read newspaper articles at lunch time. I keep getting "Stopped working" and "Not responding" when trying to read something or close out something.

I love computers...................................... when they work...................................

Thanks again for your time and advice.

You initially posted in the Virus and Malware/Other/Scanning, Detecting and Removing Threats/Windows 7 Forum. The "Other" indicates your question involved using a non Microsoft program.

I think I'd run AdwCleaner and EEK as well as Malwarebytes Free...see what those scanners might find.  All three will detect PUPS and adware not detected by Avast, MSE and many other antimalware programs....that's a frustrating situation involving "free" shareware - the free programs sometimes come with a hidden software bundle that cause issues.

You also mentioned Win XP.  Are you using XP? 

Note: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-support-help

If using XP there is no "free upgrade" for that OS though if the computer hardware will support XP,  you could do a "new install" of XP.  

You might find the following to be of interest:

Microsoft Security Essentials Installation Checklist.

Further information regarding MSE can be found at MSE Consolidated FAQ and at https://www.winhelp.us/configure-microsoft-security-essentials.html

Best Practices for Safe Computing - Prevention of Malware Infection

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/mats/slow_windows_performance

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/speed-up-your-pc

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/optimize-windows-better-performance#optimize-windows-better-performance=windows-7

And

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-specifications

Windows 10 FAQ & Tips - Microsoft

And I agree with your thought - I enjoy computers as well......when they work!

Good luck...