Slow Computer

[Coldicote]

I've recently been rather out of my depth since upgrading from XP to Windows 7. My PC has been slow and there has been a lot of rubbish to get rid of. I saved 'My Documents' on a memory stick, deleted the existing file from my PC then re-uploaded items I wished to keep. I now get various pop-ups telling me that my registry needs cleaning. Perhaps it does but I don't know which one to use. Any suggestions please?

[Buenchico]

>>> I now get various pop-ups telling me that my registry needs cleaning

That sounds like malware to me. Try downloading, installing and running the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:
https://www.malwarebytes.org/free/

Points to note:
When installing that program, take care to deselect the option to install a trial of the 'PRO' version.
When running it, use the 'quick scan' option (which is actually likely to take over half an hour to run).
When the scan is complete, click the button to view the results and then click to delete whatever has been found.

Registry cleaners are generally best avoided. If you're determined to try one, this is the most trusted:
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download
(You only need the free version)

[Tuvok]

Windows does not tell you to clean your Registry - so it sounds like you might have something nasty.

Download Malwarebytes free edition. Let it remove anything it finds. Turn off system restore before you restart, then scan again. Only when comes back clean, turn back on System restore.

You can also use CCCleaner to maintain the registry.

[Tuvok]

Thought you'd turn up here as well Buenchico!!

[Lie-in King]

Registry cleaners are almost always pointless for the "average" PC user - they'll say something along the lines of "we've detected 20,000 registry errors" (or words to that effect) & charge you for the privilege of "fixing" them.

Ignore the pop-up ads, make sure your anti-virus & malware software is up-to-date (neither of which needs to be paid for, IMO) - Win 7 uses MSE (free) & Malwarebytes ("free version download" - careful which version you click on) should see you right.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/

[Coldicote]

A lot of good advice here. The malwarebytes program has done the job although it took rather a long time and various things are now back to normal - what a relief! Very many thanks.