The Windows firewall comes bundled with the Windows Operating System and using it isn't dependent on having Security Essentials installed.

There's a freeware frontend to the firewall called Windows 7 Firewall Control that works with Windows 7 and XP put out by Sphinx Software that gives you added control over what programs can and cannot have incoming and outgoing access to the internet that I like.

Google Sphinx Software Windows 7 Firewall Control if you're interested.

It doesn't hurt to run another program like MalwareBytes to double check to make sure MSE doesn't miss anything.


mrsD, you might as well reformat and be done with it. That way you have a clean start with a clean machine.