Ads popping up at start

Source
By Elvandil Moderator with 33,943 posts (Microsoft MVP)
06-Mar-2009
You can't remove Internet Explorer. It is part of Vista.
Try removing the toolbar.
Toolbar Cop

And check your startup entries with one of these:
Startup Control Panel
MZ Startup Manager
Startup Control Panel (Exe version for Vista)
Emsa Startup Manager
EM Startup Manager
WheresJames Startup Manager

Startup Programs Reference
If you have ads popping up, you are infected.
Scan with your anti-malware apps, and check your startups with a startup manager.
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Free anti-malware scanners:
MalwareBytes trial
A-Squared
PrevX CSI Free Version
Spybot S&D
RunScanner
Ad-Aware 2007
SuperAntiSpyware
Spyware Eliminator
Emco Malware Destroyer
Spyware Doctor
Arovax Anti-spyware
Trend-Micro Rootkit Buster
F-Secure Blacklight
Bootzilla (Bootable anti-malware CD with many other tools.)

List of freeware security software