Windows tasks using high amount of CPU and memory? Unremovable folder?

[BubblyBread]

Hi, 

1) After the KMSpico issue was resolved, a few days later, this issue came up. I wasn't too sure what to do and thought it was normal. However, it's been hard to use my computer without it freezing and laggy with the audio or just having a massive lag spike. I realised that the normal Windows tasks, for example, the audio device, desktop manager, and antimalware service executable task, used a lot of CPU and memory, especially when playing and talking to my friends or even simple tasks like watching youtube or listening to music. I've never had the issue before. I'm wondering what I should do. These photos of the tasks are kinda examples. I couldn't screenshot when it used more CPU and memory, which made my PC lag badly. My CPU spikes to 90% often for no reason. 

 

2) Another issue I have had is that I've been trying to remove this folder from one of my drives, and no matter what I do, it won't delete even after trying to force delete it. I would like some help deleting this folder

 

3) I'm anxious that there is secret spyware, virus or something still on my PC. I think the antivirus detected and deleted it a while back it was related to the Firefox browser; however, I'm still very anxious it's still on my PC. I want to ensure that I don't have any viruses, spyware or anything on my PC; if there is any, it's removed.

 

Can you please help me with all of this? 

 

Thanks

[Porthos]

@BubblyBread

While you are waiting for the next qualified/approved malware removal expert helper to weigh in on your topic, and even though you may have run the following Malwarebytes utility or its subsets, please carefully follow these instructions:

 

WARNING: Do Not click the Repair System under Advanced unless requested by a Malwarebytes support agent or authorized helper

1. Download the Malwarebytes Support Tool.
2. In your Downloads folder, open the mb-support-x.x.x.xxx.exe file.
3. In the User Account Control (UAC) pop-up window, click Yes to continue the installation.
4. Run the MBST Support Tool.
5. In the left navigation pane of the Malwarebytes Support Tool, click Advanced.
6. In the Advanced Options, click only Gather Logs. A status diagram displays the tool is Getting logs from your computer.
7. A zip file named mbst-grab-results.zip will be saved to the Public desktop, please attach that file in your next reply to this topic. Please do NOT copy and paste.

For the short time between when you post the diagnostic logs, and when your helper weighs in, please take no further self-directed remedial actions that will invalidate the diagnostic logs you will have sent.

Thank you.

[BubblyBread]

Here is the zip file

mbst-grab-results.zip

[AdvancedSetup]

What is the full path to the folder or file you're wanting to remove? @BubblyBread

 

 

Please run the following fix

 

NOTE: Please read all of the information below before running this fix.

• NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on this particular machine.
• Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system that cannot be undone.

Once the fix has been completed, please attach the file FIXLOG.TXT to your next reply

Farbar program:   FRSTEnglish.exe

Save the attached file:  FIXLIST.TXT to this folder C:\Users\HANA\Downloads\

NOTE. It's important that both files, FRSTEnglish.exe, and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

Please make sure you disable any real-time antivirus or security software before running this script. Once completed, make sure you re-enable it.

 

 

Run the Farbar program with Admin rights and press the Fix button just once and wait.

The fix may possibly take up to 60 minutes to complete

If the tool needs a restart please make sure you let the system restart normally and let the tool complete its run after restart.
The tool will make a log named Fixlog.txt in the same folder you ran the Farbar program from. Please attach that log on your next reply.

 

1. NOTE:  This fix will run a scan to check that all Microsoft operating system files are valid and not corrupt and attempt to correct any invalid files. It will also run a disk check on the restart to ensure disk integrity.
2. NOTE: As part of this fix all temporary files will be removed. If you have any open web pages that have not been bookmarked please make sure you bookmark them now as all open applications may be automatically closed.
               Also, make sure you know the passwords for all websites as cookies may possibly be removed in some cases, but not all cases.
3. NOTE: As part of this fix, it will also reset the network to default settings including the firewall. If you have custom firewall rules you need to save please export or save them first before running this fix.

The following directories are emptied:

• Windows Temp
• Users Temp folders
• Edge, IE, FF, Chrome, and Opera caches, HTML5 storages, Cookies and History
• Recently opened files cache
• Discord cache
• Java cache
• Steam HTML cache
• Explorer thumbnail and icon cache
• BITS transfer queue (qmgr*.dat files)
• Recycle Bin

Important: items are permanently deleted. They are not moved to quarantine. If you have any questions or concerns please ask before running this fix.

The system will be rebooted after the fix has run.

fixlist.txt

Thanks

 

[BubblyBread]

Here is the fix log

Also, here is the full path

Log-Clear-BrowserCache.txt Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Can you please highlight that path and copy it to text and post it here. Thanks @BubblyBread

 

Then, please run the following

 

Microsoft Safety Scanner

Please make sure you Exit out of any other program you might have open so that the sole task is to run the following scan.   
That goes especially for web browsers, make sure all are fully exited out of and messenger programs are exited and closed as well
 

STEP 1

Please set File Explorer to SHOW ALL folders, all files, including hidden ones.  Use OPTION ONE or TWO of this article

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7078-turn-off-show-all-folders-windows-10-navigation-pane.html

STEP 2

I suggest a new scan for viruses & other malware. This may take several hours, depending on the number of files on the system and the speed of the computer.

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free Microsoft stand-alone virus scanner that can be used to scan for & remove malware or potentially unwanted software from a system. 

The download links & the how-to-run-the tool are at this link at Microsoft 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/intelligence/safety-scanner-download

 

Look on the Scan Options & select the FULL scan.

Then start the scan. Have lots of patience. It may take several hours.

• Once you see it has started, take a long long break;  walk away.  Do not pay credence if you see some intermediate early flash messages on the screen display.  The only things that count are the End result at the end of the run.
• The scan will take several hours.  Leave it alone. It will remove any other remaining threats as it goes along.  Take a very long break, do your normal personal errands .....just do not use the computer during this scan.

This is likely to run for many hours as previously mentioned  ( depending on the number of files on your machine & the speed of the hardware.)

The log is named MSERT.log  and the log will be at C:\Windows\debug\msert.log

Please attach that log with your next reply.

 

It is normal for the Microsoft Safety Scanner to show detections during the scan process.

It is scanning for basically all bread crumbs or traces of files and registry entries that "might" be or have been part of some infection or previous infection.

That DOES NOT mean the computer is infected. Once the scan has been completed it uploads the log to their Cloud service which then uses Artificial Intelligence to determine if in fact any of the traces are an infection or not.

Then it writes into the log on your computer what it found.

 

Thank you

 

[BubblyBread]

Here is the log file

Also the full path to that folder is D:\ea6b27417eac8bcf9f6e27 (ea6b27417eac8bcf9f6e27 folder being what i want deleted) 

 

msert.log

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you.

Please save the attached file:  FIXLIST.TXT and run it as before

 

Farbar program:   FRSTEnglish.exe

Save the attached file:  FIXLIST.TXT to this folder C:\Users\HANA\Downloads\

fixlist.txt

 

When done, attach the FIXLOG.TXT file. @BubblyBread

 

[BubblyBread]

Here is the fix log 

Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

That folder should now be gone @BubblyBread

 

SecurityCheck by glax24              

I would like you to run a tool named SecurityCheck to inquire about the current security update status of some applications.

• Download SecurityCheck by glax24: https://tools.safezone.cc/glax24/SecurityCheck/SecurityCheck.exe
• If Microsoft SmartScreen blocks the download, click through to save the file
• This tool is safe.   Smartscreen is overly sensitive.
• If SmartScreen blocks the file from running click on More info and Run anyway
• Right-click  with your mouse on the Securitycheck.exe  and select "Run as administrator"  and reply YES to allow to run & go forward
• Wait for the scan to finish. It will open a text file named SecurityCheck.txt Close the file.  Attach it with your next reply.
• You can find this file in a folder called SecurityCheck, C:\SecurityCheck\SecurityCheck.txt

 

 

Thank you

 

 

[BubblyBread]

Thank you! The folder has disappeared. Here is the log.

SecurityCheck.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Please uninstall, update, or otherwise address the following as appropriate for your computer. @BubblyBread

 

Notepad++ (64-bit x64) v.8.5.3 Warning! Download Update
SumatraPDF v.3.3.3 Warning! Download Update
Node.js v.18.16.0 Warning! Download Update
Python 3.10.11 (64-bit) v.3.10.11150.0 Warning! Download Update
Python 3.11.3 (64-bit) v.3.11.3150.0 Warning! Download Update
WinRAR 6.20 beta 2 (64-bit) v.6.20.2 Warning! Download Update
paint.net v.5.0.6 Warning! Download Update
Discord Canary v.1.0.63 Warning! Download Update
Microsoft Teams v.1.6.00.11166 Warning! Download Update
WhatsApp (Outdated) v.2.2323.4 Warning! Download Update
Zoom v.5.15.1 (17948) Warning! Download Update
Spotify v.1.2.14.1149.ga3ae422d Warning! Download Update

---------------------------- [ UnwantedApps ] -----------------------------
KC Softwares DUMo v.2.25.4.125 Warning! Suspected demo version of anti-spyware, driver updater or optimizer. If this program is not familiar to you it is recommended to uninstall it
----------------------------- [ End of Log ] ------------------------------

 

 

Then check for Windows Updates and install any found,

 

Keep me posted, please.

 

[BubblyBread]

I've updated them all and uninstalled Dumo. I've also checked for any other windows updates and nothing relating to windows needed to be updated.

[AdvancedSetup]

How is the computer running now?

Are there still any signs of infection or other issues?

 

[BubblyBread]

I'm not sure about the resource issue. It still feels the same as it was at the beginning. It lags when playing games, watching videos and stuff. Today, for example, I tried to listen to music, which was laggy when previously it wasn't like that. Sorry for the late response. I've not been on my PC recently as I was on holiday. Playing with friends results in I'm it laggy pretty bad. Even though I've never had this issue before June, I'm unsure what's causing it or what to do. My audio lags a lot. 

[AdvancedSetup]

Okay, at this point if you're not seeing better performance then something more is going on with Windows as general cleaning alone should have improved performance quite a bit.  @BubblyBread

I would recommend you back up your data and do a Factor Reset (removing all data) or do a Clean Install

Backup Software
https://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?/topic/136226-backup-software

 

Clean Install Windows 10 & 11 (2023)
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/clean-install-windows-10-11-2023/1c426bdf-79b1-4d42-be93-17378d93e587

 

Also see the following article when doing a Clean Install

Bypass Microsoft Online Account Creation during installation of Windows 11
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/296613-bypass-microsoft-online-account-creation-during-installation-of-windows-11/

 

 

 

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Glad we could help.

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