Microsoft operating systems task the CPU with indexing certain folders, likely to make searches faster. Included in those folders are the system and user ‘Temp’ directories. The ‘Temp’ directories are mostly utilized by applications in carrying out the tasks they are performing for you. Unfortunately most software is not written well enough to remove these files, or an unclean exit occurs leaving the temp files. The cumulative effect of these events is a CPU spending a lot of time alphabetizing the garbage rather than doing what you want to do. Removing these files manually typically results in immediate noticeable improvement in system response times. Let’s clean ‘em out and speed it up! First, close any running applications (software), they may have Temp files open. Then click ‘Start’ on your Taskbar, and click ‘Run’ on your Menu. If you don’t have ‘Run’ on your Menu then try a right-click on an open area of the Taskbar and click Task Manager, in Task Manager click ‘File’ on the menu bar and then ‘New Task (Run..) from the drop-down menu. In the field provided type %Temp% to open the User’s Temp folder, or C:\Windows\Temp to open the system Temp folder. In either folder you can keystroke Ctrl+A (hold down either Ctrl key while tapping the A key, then release all keys) to select all files present in the folder, then you can press the Delete key to send the files to the Recycle Bin, or Shift+Delete to remove them without using the Recycle Bin, click Yes when prompted to confirm deletion. Sometimes Windows stops deleting and informs you that some file or folder cannot be deleted because it is in use, no problem, just hold the Ctrl key down while you click on the referenced item to deselect it, then release the Ctrl key. Then continue to Delete or Shift+Delete the remaining files, if you have a lot of them it might take a few times to get past the open files. Continue the process for both Temp folders, then empty your Recycle Bin (hopefully you aren’t storing anything of value in your Recycle Bin, not a good practice). After removing all the Temp files that Windows will allow, you should notice an immediate increase in your PC’s performance.
There is a new pariah on the internet, it can best be described as Extortionware, software designed to extort money from you by frightening you enough, or crippling your computer enough to cause you to pay money for relief. Do not give into this bully which is THE problem on your computer and your funds only serve to calm the storm of the extortioners creation. Additionally, many of the problems associated with this infection will remain even after they have your money. These trojans do as their name implies, they bring other trojan invaders along with them to plague your PC.
I see this all the time, there is help available but not from the extortionware. I suggest a visit to http://www.malwarebytes.org/ or http://www.superantispyware.com/ or http://www.safer-networking.org/ to obtain software to aid in the removal of this malware. If unable then perhaps a call to a professional who can clean more pernicious problems.
