Member Avatar for Dave987

Ad Aware will fix slow running Internet Explorer.

I had the following problem. Internet Explorer was slow to scroll webpages and very slow to display typed information such as typing into the ebay search box.

I found my browser homepage sometimes changed also, so I knew a browser hijacking program had been installed on my hard drive.

I went to and downloaded the free version of their "Ad Aware" program, installed and ran it, and it found and identified the malware files which had been added to my system registry, and on my hard drive.

After Ad Aware quarantined these files, I restarted my computer and ran another scan and found nothing.

Then I tested Internet Explorer and it ran perfectly again. PC-World magazine has given this program "best product" award and it deserves it.

Hope this helps a few people.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by BobsBabyGirl

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Good historical tip from — Ad‑Aware often removed the kind of homepage/tool‑bar hijackers that slow Internet Explorer. Posters (Spybot) and (Avast) named other era‑appropriate tools. Important context for readers arriving years later: the Internet Explorer desktop app was retired on June 15, 2022, and modern troubleshooting should target current Windows protections and browsers. (Microsoft IE retirement announcement). (learn.microsoft.com)

Practical cleanup checklist (fast, reliable order): run the built‑in Windows Security full scan and then a Microsoft Defender Offline scan to catch persistent rootkits; follow with an on‑demand Malwarebytes scan (Malwarebytes also provides AdwCleaner). Avoid running two real‑time antivirus engines at once — uninstall one real‑time product before enabling another to prevent conflicts. (Microsoft Defender Offline) (Malwarebytes install/scan) (Microsoft anti‑virus FAQ on multiple engines). (learn.microsoft.com)

If problems persist, look for non‑browser components that persist across reboots: inspect autorun/startup items and browser helper objects with Autoruns, check system proxy/auto‑config and the HOSTS file, and repair system files with SFC/DISM. Example quick commands to run from an elevated prompt:

netsh winhttp show proxy
sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
reagentc /info

Use Autoruns to uncheck/delete suspicious entries and then reboot. (learn.microsoft.com)

If the hijack only affected IE settings, reset IE (or migrate to Edge/Chrome and import favorites). Keep Windows and the browser up to date and run periodic on‑demand scans; modern Windows Security integrates real‑time protection, firewall, and app controls. (Reset/repair IE guidance) (Windows Security app overview). (learn.microsoft.com)

Summary: the old Ad‑Aware + Spybot workflow was valid then; for current Windows installations, combine an offline Defender scan + Malwarebytes/AdwCleaner, use Autoruns to remove persistent startup items, reset the browser, and migrate off IE where possible.

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Member Avatar for )BIG"B"Affleck

Yes, Adaware can work wonders, especially on a noobies machine (not that you are one). Spybot search and Destroy is another great application. I typically run them both to eliminate all the nastiness out there. Adware and Spybot Search and Destroy are must haves. You can find ss&d at security.kolla.de

Member Avatar for BobsBabyGirl

AdAware & Spybot are my faves, along with Avast for virus protection!
Hooray for freebies!

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