how do I get rid of pop-up ads--free? do they destroy and/or slow down my computer?

1. Go to your programs section and uninstall anything that looks unfamiliar (toolbars, speed up and optimizer programs, programs claiming free stuff, coupon stuff, saving stuff)

2. If you go to run and type 'msconfig'. There is a startup tab that allows you to enable/disable what starts up on your computer. You can uncheck what doesn't need to startup.

3. Download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware and install it, and perform a full scan, and have it quarantine, or delete all the spyware and adware.

4. Lastly, go into your Internet Explorer or Chrome, and delete all bad extension, and change your home URL to the correct URL, and disable any bad URLs that open automatically.

You may very well be hijacked with virus that is preventing you from doing things or your computer is running very slow.

The best way to work this problem is to boot your pc into the SAFE MODE. This is a mode where your computer only boots windows files and nothing else. So if there is virus present it doesn't boot up and preclude you from running antivirus/virus programs to clean up your pc. Here's how to get there.

1. Boot up or reboot your pc and when you see the screen becoming active start tapping the F8 key at one half second intervals until you see a black screen with white lettering.

2. Look at the list of Safe Mode options near the top of the displayed page and use the arrow keys to move the highlighted line up to the SAFE MODE WITH NETWORKING line and then hit enter.

3. Give the pc a few minutes to fully boot up. It will boot with a fairly normal looking desk top screen but will have "Safe Mode" in all 4 corners of the display.

4. Hopefully you have pop-up ads--freeinstalled. If so update the virus definitions using the Check For Updates selection in the settings icon in the top right of the screen and download the latest definitions. If you don't have it installed, use your internet browser (IE; Firefox; Chrome; etc.) and go to download.com, use the search box and search for pop-up ads--freeand download it and install it.

http://www.guideremovespyware.com/how-to-remove-tr...

5. Click on the Scan area in pop-up ads--freeand run a full scan. When complete review the findings (if any) and then select all of them (right click on one of the little check boxes) and then click on Remove All. pop-up ads--freewill remove all of the found problem items.

http://www.guideremovespyware.com/remove-trojan-wi...

6. Reboot the pc.

http://www.guideremovespyware.com/remove-trojan-wi...

Hopefully that will remove any virus/viruses you have on your pc that is preventing you from doing your Restore.

I've been using AdBlock Plus and it's pretty good. If you're a little more technically savvy, you can set up a free account with OpenDNS and use them to block a bunch of ads.

Some Potentially Unwanted Programs or adware may cause the constant pop-up ads. You can go to Programs and Features to find and remove the suspicious program and then locate to the browser extensions and disable or remove the unfamiliar ones. If the PUPs or adware programs are not displayed, please use reliable antivirus software to scan your system and remove the malware.

good answers from all ..

and what makes it easier to get rid up PUPs is the Junkware Removal Tool (JRT) and AdwCleaner

both can be found here http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/windows/s...

ccleaner is another tool that's good... cleans junk files, good registry cleaner, has a tools section for system restore, file finder, drive wiper, and startup

get adblocker

Thanks Alvin--Works like a charm