Are "Driver Updates" by Slimware Utilities Holdings, Inc. and "Slim Cleaner Plus" (Microsoft Partner) by Gold Application Development, actually Microsoft Partners or are they SCAMS? For Windows 10.

Please refer to the link below.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect_other-protect_scanning/is-slimcleaner-plus-really-a-microsoft-partner-as/29076dd2-b3b9-4244-9346-b7ff74e4c0b0

~bhringer

And you might want to read:

• http://www.howtogeek.com/98465/htg-explains-when-do-you-need-to-update-your-drivers/
• http://www.howtogeek.com/233115/the-only-way-to-safely-update-your-hardware-drivers-on-windows/
• http://www.howtogeek.com/198758/never-download-a-driver-updating-utility-theyre-worse-than-useless/
• https://blog.malwarebytes.com/cybercrime/2015/06/driver-updaters-digital-snake-oil-part-2/
• Best Practices for Safe Computing - Prevention of Malware Infection

Have couple of pop-ups -

Suggestion to run some scans:

https://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-www-driverupdate-net/

*"are they SCAMS." ->*They are unnecessary products, heavily advertised.  They are classified as many things;  they and their other uninvited apps (PUPS) will negatively impact the safety, security, and stability of your device.  Please consider running the malware removal tools noted below.

***Also, pre-installed or user previously installed antivirus may inhibit the current antivirus (even a current norton installation), use the mfg removal tools to completely remove them, if they were ever on your system.***

Use the mfg removal tools to completely remove them, after running the uninstall in Programs and features see:

https://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS101331

(MCPR is 1/2 way down the page)

or

Norton Removal tool at:

https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20080710133834EN_EndUserProfile_en_us

For AVG removal see:

http://www.avg.com/us-en/utilities

List of anti-malware product removal tools

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/wiki/mse-protect_start/list-of-anti-malware-product-removal-tools/2bcb53f7-7ab4-4ef9-ab3a-6aebfa322f75

see also, eset's all-in-one AV removal tool:

http://support.eset.com/kb146/?locale=en_US

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Consider running rkill (1st) https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/rkill/ ,TDSSKiller(2nd), JRT  (Junkware Removal Tool) (3rd), adwcleaner (4th) ): be careful not to click on ads.

https://toolslib.net/downloads/viewdownload/1-adwcleaner/

If the scan finds something, before clicking clean, click 'Tools' - 'Options' and check all the boxes, click 'OK', then click clean.

Also, Run Malwarebytes (Free).

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

To make Free - Deactivate Trial (Settings - My Account)

With Free usage, consider making the Malwarebyes protections setting look like below (note: you may have to scroll down for Scan Options and Startup Options):