I would generally avoid the topic of Windows trouble shooting, but this one is intriguing, especially for a self-trained lucky phreaker.

There is only one Excellent anti-spyware application that can help you with this and all of your other 'dumb' Windows problems. It's called Spyware Terminator, is open-source, and may well become your primary anti-virus Ap in a matter of less than an hour. [Google that, and only trust the page with their logo containing the White Cross on the Blue shield.]

What it will do is find every --orphaned-- component of some illicit Windows crap, and puts it into a list so you can decide to delete it or not. They also bundle another Ap, a sort of 'Web Watcher,' that notifies you about all the evil cookies that are trying to load wherever you surf.