Computer is very slow (and several other issues)

[Kirbs]

Hello everyone!

I'm using Windows 7 and I've been having all sorts of issues with my computer. The biggest one is that it's extremely slow, taing several minutes to do even the simplest tasks. The programs often crash too. I have tried running Malwarebytes and Avast scans, Malware removed some files but the issue is still there.

I also can't open Chrome or Firefox at all. I tried unstalling Chrome and downloading the installer on Internet Explorer, but nothing happened. It doesn't even show up in the transfer list. In general, the computer seems to be completely ignoring inputs at times.

I would really appreciate any help provided! 

[Allan]

1) What is new or different since the last time everything worked properly (ie, new hw, new sw, virus, error, etc)?

2) Boot to safe mode - do things run normally?

[Kirbs]

1) While it's always been quite laggy, I'd say it's gotten worse since I installed qBitTorrent and used it to try to get some programs via torrent. I assumed it might have been infected with some malware or virus, but as I said MalwareBytes supposedly removed everything and nothing's changed. I have also tried several other things suggested online, like deleting programs I don't use or files I don't need, but it doesn't seem like memory space is the problem. Regarding IE in particular, I never use it, so I have no idea why it isn't allowing me to download anything.

2) In safe mode it was much faster, opening programs almost immediately. Only Spotify crashed for some reason, but Spotify has always been slow for me. Even Firefox, which previously I couldn't open at all, worked fine.

If there's any more info needed just let me know, and thanks!

[Geek-9pm]

1) While it's always been quite laggy, I'd say it's gotten worse since I installed qBitTorrent and used it to try to get some programs via torrent. I assumed it might have been infected ... I have no idea why it isn't allowing me to download anything.

You must remove any Bit Torrent software. It is not enough to stop using it, you have to remove it.  Any torrent is very invasive and should not be used.
From Yahoo answers:
Talk to your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
There's a 99.9% chance that they are "throttling" you.
And, if you ask them nice, they may explain what "THROTTLING" means, and, why they think they have the right to specifically target you.
Others sources confirm this.   

[Kirbs]

That's weird, I never had that issue when I used it in my previous computer. I imagine it won't solve everything as it struggles with tasks that don't use the Internet as well, but I will remove those and see if it helps. Thank you!

[Geek-9pm]

Just trying to help. Diagnostics for computer problems cam take a lot of time and effort. In your case, you want to fix the problem rather than just identify it.
You may want to break the problem into two halts.
Is it hardware?
Is it Software?
You can boot your computer w with an alternative system that does not use any of the Windows components and does not have to use space on the hard drive.
Examples of such would be
 The Ubuntu demo CD
 The puppy Linux boot CD.
 The Ultimate Boot CD.
 The boot CD of Mmemtest86 program.
If these programs also seem to be slow, you might conclude that it is not a operating system problem.
Just a suggestion. 

[Allan]

Ignore the advice above. Not all torrents are viral and certainly the torrent client isn't.

Having said that, it does sound as though you may  have downloaded an infected file. I suggest you post in our malware forum and let our malware specialist assist you. Until you are "cleared" by our malware specialist I'm going to lock this thread.