Windows Explorer issue-windows explorer does not respond

Similar Questions

• Windows Explorer does not respond, the applications do not open, System Restore does not work. Help!

  Hello, my computer is having a lot of problems, which started last night. Here are the things that are run:

  -Windows Explorer does not respond
  -Computer cannot disconnect correctly: down/restarts when I close the computer says "disconnect" for hours.
  -Cannot use the system restore and may not even start from Safe Mode command prompt
  -Safe mode does not load
  -No applications work, apart from web browsers, and AVG.
  -Cannot access the drivers, to make anything back.

  I added not all strange programs and I do not think it is malware, but I can't actually run my anti-malware program. My computer is running really hot, what he has always done and I keep it high and the fan not covered (I'm broke, can't afford a fix of the computer, or the new computer).  Please talk is profane. I'm not all that techno.  THANKS FOR ANY HELP!

  The model is:

  M8622 laptop Gateway
  Vista Home Premium 32 Bit

  So I reinstalled everything, and even though it's a pain, my computer is normal again! Must have been a virus.

  Thank you very much for your help!

• Satellite L300-215: windows Explorer does not respond after recovery

  Hello

  I got a blue screen - don't know what error message was and then stop.
  I realized the recovery process to return to output from the computer in the box, but when I start I only go as far as office and then "windows Explorer is not responding".

  Anyone have any ideas?

  Also if it is a disk failure hard can easily replace the hard drive and the boot of my recovery disks

  Ta

  > Also if it is a disk failure hard can easily replace the hard drive and the boot of my recovery disks
  Yes, easy to replace the HARD drive.
  It takes a HARD drive 2.5 SATA for this laptop.

  But I recommend that you check the first HARD disk using a tool called Drive Fitness Test... Use google to get this software

  Here are a few examples how to replace the HARD drive on the different laptop models:
  http://forums.computers.Toshiba-Europe.com/Forums/Forum.jspa?forumid=116

• Windows Mail does not respond after receiving a script error message.

  Whenever I press a button made a noise of ping?  can not shut down windows.  Just does not respond?

  "Em" wrote in the new message: * e-mail address is removed from the privacy... *

  Whenever I press a button made a noise of ping? can not shut down windows. Just does not respond?

  Right click on the taskbar background > select Start Task Manager, on the Applications tab, select Windows Mail > then end task.

  Best regards Steve. MS - MVP. MAIL. [DTS] UK. http://www.getsafeonline.org/

• InDesign CC 2015 on Windows 10 does not respond

  Hello. I am running Adobe CC (2015) with 10 Windows.

  When I try to launch InDesign open she is frozen and unresponsive. I need end task to quit the program. If I run the application InDesign using the cloud Creative Launcher, it executes the program, but I'm unable to open all existing files.

  1. I tried to restart my computer

  2. I uninstalled InDesign, InDesign reinstalled and rebooted my computer.

  The two has not made a difference.

  Help, please.

  So far I have run InDesign CC (2015) compatibility mode it seems to work normally.

• Windows Vista does not respond after the removal of a usb device! HELP Please!

  I have windows vista for my PC and I noticed that most of the time when I remove a usb device, the computer is unresponsive and crashes on me shortly after. And I won't have any choice but to cut the main power supply if the computer shuts down. I know that this cannot continue and will eventually damage the computer. Is there a solution and why this can happen?

  Hi ClaudL,

  1. this happens with all type USB devices?

  2 when was the last time it was working fine?

  It is possible that some third-party programs installed on the computer is causing the problem.

  I suggest that you put the computer in a clean boot state and check.

  To help resolve the error and other messages, you can start Windows Vista or Windows 7 by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This type of boot is known as a "clean boot". A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts.

  See the link below to learn more about how to clean boot.

  How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

  http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/929135

  Reset the computer to start as usual

  When you are finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start as usual:

  (a) click Start, type msconfig in the search box and press ENTER.

  (b) If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password or click on continue.

  (c) under the general tab, click the Normal startup option, and then click OK.

  (d) when you are prompted to restart the computer, click on restart.

  I hope this helps!

  Halima S - Microsoft technical support.

  Visit our Microsoft answers feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

• Windows Explorer does not and sound problems

  I'm running Vista (home edition) on a laptop and I'm having problems with my windows Explorer. The other day it was working fine and I have updated to service pack 2, after he installed my computer went crazy! My exporer windows keeps "not responding" and whenever he "closed the program" my office went nuts it shows not all of the icons (on my desktop) until I raised the Task Manager and the taskbar kept resetting itself to I don't know what. I would go in the taskbar properties and sometimes he let me check the power, network and sound icons and sometimes it would be grey so I could not. I uninstalled the update and it seems to work very well a bit, windows Explorer still fails sometimes well. What is really bugging me, is that a previous update messed with my sound, so sometimes I have to go into the Device Manager and disable then enable the sound to get it back (the driver is up-to-date). But sometimes the Explorer is not responding so I feel like I'm going in circles! The other problem is that after installing service pack 2 is my computer guard with "unexpected cases" and it still occurs even after uninstalling service pack 2. Does anyone have any ideas what the hell is happening? I ran all my software, adware, spyware viruses and everything else so I know that my computer is clean. It is service pack 2 or is it my computer? Also, I have an idea of what I'm doing, so I'm not a complete fool. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, I don't have my 5 cups of coffee yet this morning.

  Hello, POOLMASTER7

  Try to do an analysis of the file system to verify inconsistencies. Go to start, all programs, accessories, tools system right click on command prompt and choose Run as administrator. You may be prompted to continue. In the command prompt type the following command, press on enter and let us know the results: sfc/scannow

  Thank you.

  David
  Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
  Visit our Microsoft answers feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

• How do I update Windows if my Internet Explorer does not work?

  I've got Windows 5.1 Service Pak 3. I can't:

  1 Windows Update
  2 access Internet Explorer or
  3 confirm my McAfee anti-virus without the foregoing.

  Does anyone have advice?  Thank you!

  Hi BethCullinane,
   
  -What happens when you try to access Internet Explorer?
  -You get an error message? If Yes, indicate the same.
  -What version of the operating system are you using?
  -What version of IE are you using?
  -Have you been able to launch Internet Explorer successfully with no problems before?
  -Have you been able to update without any problem before?
  -You did any recent changes of hardware/software on your computer after that you started facing this problem?
   
  Method 1: Try the steps listed in the article to resolve the problem of Internet Explorer.
   
  Internet Explorer does not start or stops responding
   
  Method 2: Due to Windows Update, see the following article:
   
  How to troubleshoot common Windows Update, Microsoft Update and Windows Server Update Services installation

• Explorer Windows (Vista) does not

  I struggled for a few months with Explorer windows (Vista).  It all started after an automatic update that has been made by my computer.  Whenever I try to click on something on my windows downstairs bar it freezes and gives me the error message "Windows Explorer is not responding do not."  (NOT INTERNET EXPLORER)  I also lost my sound completely software.  Then, I restored my computer to a point of origin.  But shortly after that my computer re-out to date, and although my sound has no problem now, I always get the error message "Windows Explorer is not responding" very annoying whenever I try to use my windows taskbar.  The research I did I found many people with the problems I experienced.  But not onecanseem to give the right answer on how to solve this problem. It only happens with Vista. Y at - there anyone who can help?

  Hi coolis,.
   
  There are many steps that we could try to try the basic step, it will take place the computer in a State of clean boot, put the computer in a clean boot state followed the following steps:
   
      Step 1: Perform a clean boot
  

  Log the computer by using an account with administrator rights.

  b. Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the start search box and press ENTER to start the System Configuration utility.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click on continue.
   
  c. under the general tab, click Selective startup, and then clear the check box load startup items. (The check box use the file Boot is not available.)
   
  d. on the Services tab, click to select the skin all the Microsoft services check box, and then click Disable all.

  Note following this step lets Microsoft services continue to operate. These services include networking, Plug-and-Play, record of events, error reporting, and other services. If you disable these services, you can permanently delete all restore points. Do not do this if you want to use to restore the system with the existing restore points.
   
  e. click OK and then click on restart.
   
  Once you reboot check if the problem is solved in the clean boot state.
   
  If the problem occurs not in a State of boot, follow these steps to diagnose the component program or start that is causing the problem.

  Step 2: Enable half of the service

  Follow steps 1a and 1B to start the System Configuration utility.

  Click the Services tab, and then click to select the skin all the Microsoft services checkbox.

  Click to select half of the check boxes in the Service list.

  Click OK and then click on restart.

  Step 3: Determine whether the problem returns

  If the problem persists, repeat steps 1 and 2. In step 2, click to clear half of the check boxes that you have initially enabled in the Service list.

  If the problem does not occur, repeat steps 1 and 2. In step 2, select only half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Service list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

  If only one service is selected in the list of services, and you the problem persists, the service selected the cause of the problem. Go to step 6. If no service is causing this problem, go to step 4.

  Step 4: Enable half of the startup items

  Perform a clean boot by repeating step 1.

  Click the Startup tab, and then click to select half of the check boxes in the startup item list.

  Click OK and then click on restart.

  Step 5: Determine whether the problem returns

  If the problem persists, repeat steps 1 and 4. In step 4, click to clear half of the check boxes that you have originally selected in the startup item list.

  If the problem does not occur, repeat steps 1 and 4. In step 4, select only half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the startup item list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

  If only one startup item is selected in the startup item list, and you still experience the problem, start selected in the list element is the service that is causing the problem. Go to step 6.

  If no startup item causes this problem, a Microsoft service most likely the cause of the problem. To determine which Microsoft service may be the cause of the problem, repeat step 1 and step 2 without selecting the skin all the box Microsoft services at every step.

  Step 6: Resolve the problem

  After you determine the startup item or the service that is causing the problem, contact the manufacturer of the program to determine if the problem can be solved. Or, run the System Configuration utility, and then click to clear the check box of the element of the problem.

  Step 7: Reset the computer to start as usual

  When you are finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start as usual:
  

  Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the start search box and press ENTER.

  If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click on continue.

  On the general tab, click the Normal startup option, and then click OK.

  When you are prompted to restart the computer, click on restart.

  You can also check out the link below for the steps above:
   
  http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/929135
   
  I hope this information is useful.
   
  Please let us know if you need further assistance.
   
  Concerning
  Rehman - Microsoft Support

• Installation of Windows service does not work after Windows Explorer 9 uninstalling and reinstall Explorer 8

  Installation of Windows service does not work after Explorer 9 uninstallation and reinstallation of 8.  I followed several suggestions on this forum, but still no luck.  I ran the SFC system twice, who told me he had corrupted files.  "Some have been repaired and some might not be."  I then went in the event viewer after a start to the top and he stated that the 'Adobe APM service' is not found.  Also the "hpqddsvc' and the 'gupdate' is not found.  He tries to install something every time I start, but he abandoned.  I checked whether the system is on and disabled.  It's on.  There are a lot of small problems, but my main concern is the Adobe program.  I tried uninstalling and reinstalling Adobe, but still get an error message that the Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. Other suggestions?

  Hello

  I suggest you follow the link and check.

  How to troubleshoot issues that may occur when you install, uninstall, or upgrade one program on a Windows computer

  http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/2438651

• Explore Windows 7 64 bit slow loading screen and windows welcome does not

  Hello guys :D

  I had this problem yesterday and look really weird because I use several method to solve for 'Blocking with the Welcome screen' or 'Windows Explorer is not responding. So here's the problem:
  As I said, I had the windows with the "Welcome" screen stucks But some time later, about 15 minutes that it full load. Well, THIS IS more BIG PROBLEM: my office was black with my cursor! About 10 minutes, this return to normal, BUT the icons are not loaded. And when I click on any folder or right click of mouse, WINDOWS EXPLORER IS NOT the ANSWER (error status code c0000185 InPageCoFire) and need to restart. I restart and once again, does not. My laptop is now like that, turn on, wait 15 minutes and watch "Windows Explorer is not responding" and turns off.
  It makes me really mad. So I really appreciate for your help. Sorry if this question was asked before

  Uh, seems to be still the gel, you can try another way! Enter again the Advanced Boot Options, then choose 'Safe Mode'. Your loading windows basic drivers and services that could help you get into the windows desktop without encountering any problems. Once you're in safe mode, tap Start menu and search for "cmd". Right-click on 'cmd' and select them "run as Administrator". When the command prompt appears, check your disk file system error hard by typing "chkdsk c: /f" (do not type the quotation marks) if "c:" is a drive letter on your Windows 7. Restart your computer, and it checks file system of the disk for errors. When the analysis was finished and reboot, re-enter the Advanced Boot Options, choose "Safe Mode" again. And then open command prompt with administrator, and then type this command "sfc/scannow" (do not type the quotation marks). SFC (System File Checker) can check your file system were healthy or not. Wait until after the analysis. Then, restart your computer. If these tips don't help, update your status question. :)

  

• Don't click Desktop error "Windows explore does not work.

  Original title: Do not click on the desktop.

  My desktop computer has worked fine and now all of a sudden I am unable to click anywhere on the desktop. I am running windows 7 64 bit. If I click on the desktop, it will be then to come crash with the message Windows explores does not work then he'll recover. Other differences is that all desktop backgrounds are brighter and it disappears once it restarts, but returned about 5 seconds later. That I can not click once again. Are there any suggestions? I tried to start clean and had no success?

  Hi Nicolas,.

  I appreciate your efforts to solve the problem.

  I suggest you try the procedure described in the article and see if it helps.

  Error: Windows Explorer has stopped working
  http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/2694911/en-us

  Note:
  1) data files that are infected must be cleaned only by removing the file completely, which means there is a risk of data loss.

  2) after the boot minimum troubleshooting step, read the sections "How to reset the computer to start as usual after a clean boot troubleshooting" in the link provided to return the computer to a Normal startup mode.

  3) when you do the system restore to restore the computer to a previous state, programs and updates that you have installed are removed.

  4) note that it takes as much time to do the upgrade as to reinstall the operating system. In addition, some of your custom Windows settings may be lost through this process.

  Hope this information helps. Answer the post with an up-to-date issue report to help you further.

• Windows Explorer does not work properly and hold all the time

  I have Windows 7 Professional as a platform. In the end, I find windows Explorer does not correctly and hold all the time. Pls advise on how to solve this problem. Note I am not a computer Savvy and I need a step by step approach.

  Thank you for your time and enjoy your time.

  .

  Hello

  Use the startup clean and other methods to try to determine the cause of and/or
  eliminate problems.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------

  References to Vista also apply to Windows 7.

  What antivirus/antispyware/security products do you have on the machine? Include
  everything you've ALWAYS had on this machine, including those you have uninstalled (they
  remains of leave behind which can cause strange problems).

  ----------------------------------------------------

  Follow these steps:

  Try these to erase corruption and missing/damaged file system repair or replacement.

  Start - type this in the search box-> find COMMAND at the top and RIGHT CLICK – RUN AS ADMIN

  Enter this at the command prompt - sfc/scannow

  How to fix the system files of Windows 7 with the System File Checker
  http://www.SevenForums.com/tutorials/1538-SFC-SCANNOW-Command-System-File-Checker.html

  How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker
  (SFC.exe) program generates in Windows Vista cbs.log
  http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/928228

  Also run CheckDisk, so we cannot exclude as much as possible of the corruption.

  How to run check disk in Windows 7
  http://www.SevenForums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

  ==========================================

  After the foregoing:

  How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows
  Vista or Windows 7
  http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/929135

  Use advanced tools to solve performance problems in Windows 7
  http://www.howtogeek.com/HOWTO/6152/use-advanced-tools-to-troubleshoot-performance-problems-in-Windows-7/

  Problems with the overall speed of the system and performance
  http://support.Microsoft.com/default.aspx/GP/slow_windows_performance?p=1

  How to troubleshoot performance issues in Windows Vista
  http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/950685

  Optimize the performance of Microsoft Windows Vista
  http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/959062
  To see everything that is in charge of startup - wait a few minutes without doing anything-
  then right click on taskbar - task manager - take a look at stored by -
  Process - Services - this is a quick reference (if you have a little box on)
  Lower left - show for all users, then check that).

  How to change, add or remove startup programs in Windows 7
  http://www.SevenForums.com/tutorials/1401-startup-programs-change.html

  Is a quick check to see who are loading method 2 - using MSCONFIG
  then after a list of these here.
  --------------------------------------------------------------------

  Tools that should help you:

  Process Explorer - free - find out what files, registry keys, and other objects
  processes have open, which DLLs they have loaded and more. This unique
  powerful utility will show you even owned by each process.
  http://TechNet.Microsoft.com/en-us/Sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

  Autoruns - free - see what programs are configured to start automatically
  When your system boots and you connect. Autoruns also shows you the complete list
  locations of registry and files where applications can configure start automatic settings.
  http://TechNet.Microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
  Process Monitor - Free - monitor file system, registry, process, thread and DLL
  activity in real time.
  http://TechNet.Microsoft.com/en-us/Sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

  There are many excellent free tools from Sysinternals
  http://TechNet.Microsoft.com/en-us/Sysinternals/default.aspx

  WhatsInStartUP - free - this utility displays the list of all applications that are
  loaded automatically when Windows starts. For each application, what follows
  the information is displayed: Type of startup (registry/Startup folder), Command - Line
  Channel file, the product name, Version, company name, location in the registry or
  file system and more. It allows you to easily disable or remove unwanted programs
  that runs in your Windows startup.
  http://www.NirSoft.NET/utils/what_run_in_startup.html

  There are many excellent free tools to NirSoft
  http://www.NirSoft.NET/utils/index.html

  Window Watcher - free - do you know what is running on your computer? Maybe
  not. The window Watcher says it all, every window created by each execution of the statement
  program, if the window is visible or not.
  http://www.KarenWare.com/PowerTools/ptwinwatch.asp

  Many excellent free tools and an excellent newsletter at Karenware
  http://www.KarenWare.com/

  ===========================================

  Think about it an absolute must - manually update your drivers.

  Vista and Windows 7 updated drivers love then here's how update the most important.

  This is my generic how updates of appropriate driver:

  This utility, it is easy see which versions are loaded:

  -Free - DriverView utility displays the list of all device drivers currently loaded
  on your system. For each driver in the list, additional useful information is
  Poster: load address of the driver, description, version, product name,.
  company that created the driver and more.
  http://www.NirSoft.NET/utils/DriverView.html

  For drivers, visit Maker as replacements and system manufacturer of device which are
  the most recent. Control Panel - write - graphics card - device manager
  the brand and complete model of your video card - double click - tab of the driver-
  Note the version information. Now click on UPdate Driver (this can do nothing
  MS is far behind the certification of drivers) - then do a right click - Uninstall - REBOOT
  This will refresh the driver stack.

  Repeat this for network - card (NIC), Wifi network, sound, mouse, and keyboard
  If there are 3rd party with their own software and drivers and the other main device drivers
  you have.

  Now, go to the site of the manufacturer of system (Dell, HP, Toshiba as examples) (restore)
  and site (Realtek, Intel, Nvidia, ATI, for example) and get the manufacturer and device
  their latest versions. (Look for the system to update the BIOS, Chipset and software updates
  Site of the manufacturer here.)

  Download - SAVE - go to where you put them - right click - RUN AD ADMIN -.
  REBOOT after each installation.

  Always check in the Device Manager - drivers tab to be sure the version you are
  installation actually appears. This is because that some rollback of drivers before the
  later is installed (particularly that audio drivers) so install a driver - reboot.
  Make sure that it is installed and repeat if necessary.

  Repeat to the manufacturers - BTW to the device makers DO NOT RUN THEIR
  SCANNER - check manually by model.

  Look at the sites of the manufacturer for drivers - and the manufacturer of the device manually.
  http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/HT/driverdlmfgr.htm

  Installation and update of drivers under Windows 7 (updated drivers manually using
  the above methods is preferable to ensure the latest drivers from the manufacturer of system
  and device manufacturers are located)
  http://www.SevenForums.com/tutorials/43216-installing-updating-drivers-7-a.html

  If you update the drivers manually, then it's a good idea to disable driver facilities
  in the updates of Windows, which leaves on Windows updates, but it will not be installed
  pilots who are generally older and cause problems. If updates provides a new
  driver then hide it (right click on it) and then go get new ones manually if
  you want.

  Stop Windows 7 to automatically install device drivers
  http://helpdeskgeek.com/Windows-7/stop-Windows-7-from-automatically-installing-device-drivers/

  How to disable automatic driver Installation in Windows 7 / Vista
  http://www.AddictiveTips.com/Windows-Tips/how-to-disable-automatic-driver-installation-in-Windows-Vista/

  Turn off Windows Update Device Driver search prompt in Windows 7 / Vista (for the)
  Professional, comprehensive and Enterprise edition)
  http://www.AddictiveTips.com/Windows-tips/disable-Windows-Update-device-driver-search-prompt/

  ===========================================

  Refer to these discussions because many more excellent advice however remember to check
  your antivirus, the main drivers and BIOS update programs and also to solve problems
  with the first method cleanboot.

  Problems with the overall speed of the system and performance
  http://support.Microsoft.com/GP/slow_windows_performance/en-us

  Performance and Maintenance Tips
  http://social.answers.Microsoft.com/forums/en-us/w7performance/thread/19e5d6c3-BF07-49ac-a2fa-6718c988f125

  Explorer Windows stopped working
  http://social.answers.Microsoft.com/forums/en-us/w7performance/thread/6ab02526-5071-4DCC-895F-d90202bad8b3

  I hope this helps.

  Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP<- profile="" -="" windows="" expert="" -="" consumer="" :="" bicycle=""><- mark="" twain="" said="" it="">

• After recent, iPhone, 6, update, Windows, Explorer, does not work, see, iPhone

  I installed the latest update required for my iphone ios 6 a few days ago, and now when I try to download pictures from my iphone to my PC (via USB connection), the PC does not see the iphone.   iTunes sees it yet, but windows Explorer does not work.  It seems that some setting has been broken through the update of ios.  A way to solve this problem?

  Restart the computer and the iPhone. Unlock the iPhone before connecting it to the computer. Any change?

  TT2

• Help, INternet explorer does not work after windows update

  One day, the computer automatically downloads and installs the programs that are recommended by microsoft windows.
   
  After installation, my INternet explorer does not work.

  It reads:

  Windows could not access 'ie.redirect.hp.com '.
  Windows received an HTTP error message: 403 (refused).
  -> If this problem is consistenly prevent windows to connect to several sites on the Internet, contact your network administrator or your ISP.

  Then I click ok, and then try to go on 'www.google.com '.
  It still does not work, so I click on diagnose connection problems
  This time, it reads:

  Windows not found no problem with the network connection on this computer.

  You want to report the problem to Microsoft? Additional details about what went wrong can help create a solution. The report will be sent the next time you go online.
  Send information

  But when I send, I can not because I have Canon go online on my Internet Explore.
  When he first stopped working, I could use the system restore, but after a few months I dropped and now I can't restore the system to a place that it worked fine.

  I also know that this problem is not the administrator of network or something like that because I downloaded Firefox when IE stopped working, and Firefox works fine.

  I tried everything, but I can not do it by myself, so help please!

  @ceda only: See...

  Help: I got hacked. Now what should I do?
       http://TechNet.Microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx

  Backup of personal data (which none should be considered 100% reliable at this point) then do a format and clean install of Windows.  Please note that a repair installation (upgrade AKA on-site) will NOT fix it!

  HOW to do a clean install of Windows XP: see method 1 and http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps in http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978307

  Once installed the clean, you will have the equivalent of a "new computer" in order to take care of everything on the next page before connecting the machine to the internet or a network otherwise and before using a USB key that is not brand new, or has not been freshly formatted:

  4 steps to help protect your new computer before going online
       http://www.Microsoft.com/security/pypc.aspx

  Other useful references include:

  HOW to get a computer that is running Windows XP Gold (no Service Pack) fully patched (after a clean install)
  http://groups.Google.com/group/Microsoft.public.windowsupdate/MSG/3f5afa8ed33e121c

  HOW TO get a computer that is running Windows XP SP1 (a) or SP2 fully patched (after a clean install)
  http://groups.Google.com/group/Microsoft.public.WindowsXP.General/MSG/a066ae41add7dd2b

  Tip: After getting the computer fully patched, download/install KB971029 manually: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029

  NB: No matter what Norton or McAfee free trial which is preinstalled on the computer when you bought will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows is reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the trial for free and download/run the removal tool before installing updates, Windows Service Packs, or updates IE and before installing your new anti-virus application (which will require WinXP SP3 must be installed).

  Norton Removal Tool
       FTP://ftp.Symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe

  McAfee Consumer product removal tool
       http://download.McAfee.com/Products/Licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

  See also:

  Measures to help prevent spyware
  http://www.Microsoft.com/security/spyware/prevent.aspx

  Measures to help prevent computer worms
  http://www.Microsoft.com/security/worms/prevent.aspx

  Avoid fake security software!
  http://www.Microsoft.com/security/antivirus/rogue.aspx

  ~ Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (that is to say, mail, security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ WARNING: MS MVPs represent or work for Microsoft