A. Establish the Environment

1. Reboot and log in as administrator.

2. Check memory and processes: Start Task Manager.

• In the Performance tab, click CPU.  Note memory used, handles, threads, and processes.

3. Check hardware and drivers: Start  > Control Panel > View by Small Icons > System > Devices. .Check for exclamation points and error codes.

3. Check virtual memory: Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings > Advanced tab > Settings > Advanced. Paging file should be 2X total memory with a max of 4 GB.

4. Download Microsoft programs:

• Autoruns: lists all programs that start at boot time. Download it and note its location.

B. Reduce Memory, CPU, and Disk Space

1. Remove unneeded programs: Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features

• Find recent changes: Sort by “Installed On” date descending.

• Uninstall programs that are not needed.

• Delete related files from Program Files folders

• Verify only one antivirus program is used
  

2. Remove unneeded browser add-ons

3. Prevent unneeded programs from running at boot time:

• Start Autoruns.

• Uncheck boxes for programs that do not need to run at boot time.

C. Apply Updates

• Adobe Flash Player if installed and required. Uncheck McAfee

• Open Adobe Reader if needed. Click Help > Check for Updates. Uncheck McAfee

• Java if required (not needed for Javascript in browser)

• Microsoft Windows

D. Check Improvements

1. Reboot and log in as administrator.

2. Check memory and processes: Start Task Manager.

• In the Performance tab, compare current and prior memory used, handles, threads, and processes.

E. Remove Malware

1. Symptoms

• Popups, messages, search redirection, toolbars

• Programs that come back after removal

• Antivirus program disabled or Windows update disabled

• Slow performance, system crashes

2. Programs: Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features

• Try to uninstall programs that came back after reboot

3. Processes: Start > Control panel > Administrative Tools > Services

• Sort by Status

• Look at running processes for bad boys

• Properties > Stop and Disable any bad ones
  

4. Web browser add-ons

• Disable unwanted add-ons, plugins, toolbars, extensions in web browsers

5. Specific removal instructions

• Search the web for specific removal instructions

6. Malwarebytes

• Download and run if necessary

• Be cautious quarantining so you don't quarantine needed programs
  

7. Ccleaner and Spybot.

• Download and run if necessary

• Be cautious quarantining

8. Rootkit Removers

• Download and run if necessary

• Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit