So I'm sure a lot of people here remember a while back when I mentioned having a corrupted file.

Well, right around that time, I got a pop-up from my antivirus telling me it had detected a virus, and wanted to scan my computer. I've had it scan through it multiple times before, though it never detected anything out of the ordinary. But this time it did, then the virus scanner crashed. I've never been able to open it since.

The other night, my laptop needed to perform some updates. Every time it does, it turns off my antivirus. So I went to turn it on manually, as I always get stuck doing, and it won't turn on. I can't even get into my antivirus program.

So... that's the only damage caused so far, but I currently have no kind of protection turned on. So should I turn on my Windows Defender, since I've heard that antiviruses (?) are trash anyway, or what?

I've also heard I can get into my programs and get rid of this so-called "virus" by myself, but I'd like to find a way to clean my computer without deleting my bookmarks and saved images.

Basically, I have no clue what I'm doing.

Your Windows Defender should be on at all times. It might happen as with mine that certain updates might turn off your security system which you need to turn on again manually. Once you do that, it should get turned on automatically afterwards. At least mine does so, so no problems here.

I agree that you should have Windows Defender on.

This is according to my tech savvy friend. He said, all you need is Windows Defender and CCleaner. CCleaner is free and can be used to clean out your cache. You can also use it to delete programs and select your startup programs. It's a rather handy program.

Here is the link to CCleaner if you decide to download it: https://www.ccleaner.com/

Windows Defender won't turn on either.

Edit: Never mind, it needed to update.

Yes the built in protection in windows is actually better than most external anti-virus programs because it updates with all your other windows stuff regularly and being part of windows means it has free access to the whole system.

I would advise to install Wise Disk cleaner (free) as I've found it works a bit better than CCleaner.

I would also suggest you need to run a disk scan to check and repair for any damage because it sounds like your HDD is failing so backup all your data that you don't want to lose.

If the above recommendations do not work the best way to deal with a virus like that is to boot Windows in safe mode, and then running the anti-virus.

I think someone else suggested that to me too. I really have to get around to trying this stuff out.

There's this guys we know who's helped us out with problems before. I'm kinda holding out until we can get ahold of him, since it's so much easier to deal with computer problems when someone's right in the room with you.

Sometimes I wish I was more educated in this stuff. I'm so overwhelmed... lol.

Don't panic. Its a simple run through all steps. What you don't know, just Google and follow the steps.

Okay, I will. Thanks I'll let you guys know how it works.