Like a couple weeks ago, a month ago? Back before the trouble began?

Sometimes viruses are so smart, they prevent you from downloading fixes, in which case there are workarounds (where you’re downloading something with a fake name or something).

The Edge is installing itself. Just annoying.

when he looks, here are the instructions

Click Start ( ), click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click System Restore. The Restore system files and settings window opens. Select Choose a different restore point, and then click Next. Select a date and time from the list of available restore points, and then click Next.

Not a problem, just ignore.

MS Security Essentials is now called Windows Security (or maybe it's Windows Defender) in W10, it may've changed names in W7 as well (not sure if he has it or not, but if you want to find it to download, that's likely what you'd look for). Does he not have a white shield in the system tray? Have him go to Windows Settings/Updates and Security menu. Does he have a menu item for Windows Security on the list on the left?

Honestly there's no logical reason to still be on W7, unless you just cannot afford the upgrade or plan on buying a new PC imminently where it will be installed already. I held on to W7 until the very last day of the free upgrade, and then I was like ... why did I wait? And I LOVED W7. W10 is better.

he can try setting/update when he sees this

I think it is called Defender for 10, but I have the exact same computer and mine is a little castle with a flag and still called ms Security Essentials. I don't know why it doesn't seem to be on his, didn't it come with 7 automatically? I just do not remember downloading it or not.

as mentioned in previous discussions, I have it on a laptop and never use the laptop because I like 7 and am too lazy to even figure out what 10 is about. and he should probably get rid of whatever is wrong with his machine before trying to update anyway, shouldn't he?

MSE did not come with W7, no. You had to D/L it and install yourself.

Have him try to grab and install Avast AV. There's a free version for W7 ...

https://www.avast.com/download-thank-you.php?product=FAV-2532-C&locale=en-ww&direct=1

I would recommend backing up everything he cares about on the machine if he hasn't already. Typically this would be the contents of the folder C: Users YourName (put backslash where there are spaces there) but many people put 'stuff' elsewhere as well.

other than bookmarks and the like. he mostly only watches you tube and reads here

as us nerds call it. Reformat the HD and reinstall a clean windows copy from scratch. Bye bye virus.

W10 works indefinitely for free, it just puts a little transparent message on your desktop and limits some of the 'personalize' options.

Or you can buy a license on ebay for like $5 like I did to get rid of that issue. Mine is even W10 Pro, not just Home version.

Chrome/FF/Edge can all save your bookmarks in the cloud and then you just install it (chrome/ff) on the new machine, log into your account, et voila ... it's just like you were using it on your last machine (or ... copy of windows in this case).

It's not rocket surgery to reinstall windows.

Use it to help clean and then remove it would be my recommendation. It messes with system start up too much. But still good at detection all.

I rarely have problems w/ my machine (knock on wood), but usually just shutting off and restarting works.

probably wearing it out