The other day microsoft decided it needed to update itself. This means it downloaded Windows Anti-Virus XP. This program did what all of them do found some spyware then demanded money to remove it. Since then my computer has been slow as hell, every few seconds it tells me my system is infected, and it steals my desktop background. I tried to uninstall it which immediately comes up with an error and won't do it, so I tried to delete it by going into my computer and finding the file however it won't let me do that either is their any way to get rid of it.

Windows didn't "update itself" and download this stuff.

http://www.windowsvistaplace.com/xp-...pyware-removal

You got spyware. There's no such thing as "Windows Anti-Virus XP".

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Trueborn Vorpal - I do things.
(irc.slashnet.org #winprog)

^This and please install a decent AV on your system

Eset Nod32, AVG etc

go find a program called SDfix

i work in I.T support and have seen this virus a lot of times. SDFix has solved the problem every time

OP you're a dumbass. Get a decent AV and download Firefox. Stop clicking on pop-up ads/"alerts"! (Hopefullly you won't get them very much anymore if you use Firefox)

You downloaded a pornography codec didnt you?

To be safe I would have a fresh install, then seriously stop installing stuff until you know how to work out if something is safe.

This spyware won't be 100% removed with any of the anti-spywares out there.

I had a couple of weeks ago, even after you use a spyware remover, the actual application is still installed somewhere, the system clock is tweeked to include "VIRUS ALERT!", and the Start menu is fucked, too.

My recommendation is just to reinstall XP and learn what's an Auto-update window and what's an IE popup disguised with the Windows XP theme.

Virus, very bad virus.
Wipe harddrive