bottom right icons not working

I would not use either. I would turn on Defender once you fully remove AVG, do the Malwarebytes scan and then turn off it's trial version on the front control panel as I wrote, use it only as an on-demand scanner which is the best in the industry.

Defender gives adequate real time protection, but when it finds something or you suspect you're infected, you'll want to roll out the bigger artillery to know you're getting the very best and most thorough scans. For this we should use Malwarebyte on-demand protection for malware, and AdwCleaner for the lower level threats and PUPs.

Hi Greg,

Thanks for clarifying my confusion regarding Media Creation Tool and upgrading to 22H2.

Also thanks for the detailed instructions regarding uninstalling 3rd party antivirus software.

Regarding the antivirus program, how do you compare MalwareBytes Free and Bitdefender Free?

Clement -

Just to clarify if needed: You'd use the Media Creation tool ISO to both upgrade to 22H2 by the most stable method, and perform the repair install at the same time. It just so happens that the in-place Upgrade is also the Repair Install.

No expert recommends AVG since it bloated up and started causing issues. Uninstalling it will often solve problems, so I'd do that first:

Uninstall 3rd party antivirus in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features and try running only built-in Defender which gives adequate protection, best Windows performance, least issues, and is from Microsoft who knows how to protect their OS best.

After uninstalling antivirus in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, run any additional removal tool for it that's listed here:

https://www.itechtics.com/download-antivirus-re...

Restart the PC, then type Security in Start Search, open Windows Security, fix anything that's flagged. Report back any that cannot be fixed.

Next check for damaged System Files: https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-scannow...

If it cannot repair them see Step 10 here to continue: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

To do the best check now for infection, and if you want the best on-demand scanner, download and install Malwarebytes from https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

In it's Settings > Security tab enable Scan for Rootkits.

Then on Scan tab choose Threat Scan and Run Scan.

Clean up anything found, restart PC and then run again until it comes up clean.

If you want to keep Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner then you can disable its Real Time trial version in it's Settings > Accounts tab.

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on detailed results you post back I will have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Thanks for your elaboration.

I will take your advice to upgrade to 22H2 first and then use the Media Creation Tool for the ISO file.

Let me first backup my data files to proceed with the attempt for Repair Install.

Regarding MalwareBytes, can I install and run it when I have AVG Antivirus in my desktop? Do I still need it if I use the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft website?

The files from Tech Bench are ISO files. That is the only link I have to them. Always right click Downloads first thing to scan with your anti-virus and Malwarebyes from https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/. You can turn off MB free trial in it's Account Settings if you want to keep it, which I would do because nothing else comes close to its thoroughness for on-demand scaning. But you don't need the Real Time protection if you don't get routinely infected.

To mount an ISO double click it. Then right click Setup to Run as Admin.

Since you need to upgrade to 22H2 anyway at some point, I'd do it while I am here to help you resolve any issues. Media Creation Tool will also produce an ISO for you to use the same way, which happens to be the most stable way to change to the new version.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-downlo...

Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.