I have windows xp (windows 7). I am a beginner. When I click my mouse a rectangular box pops up on the screen..It says "WINDOWS INSTALLER" "Preparing To Install". I've used 8 virus scans, and a friend said I should push these buttons " ctrl,del,& alt all at same time then go to task mgr and push" end program". I did that too. This pop up appears even if i am not online! If I am playing a game it takes over and connects to the internet! And with each click, when I do get online ,here it comes again!  Thank you! Blueridgelady. p.s. I've put up with this Devil since September! I've also used SYSTEM restore .Go to Windows SERVICES and look for Windows Installer. Right-click and choose PROPERTIES, start-up type and change to Manual, click Apply. If it did'nt work, Go to Start-->Run-->type msconfig,Ok-->Under System Configuration Utility, go to Services tab-->Look for Windows installer(Check first the status if its running or stopped). If its running, disable it and click apply. You may be required to reboot.Hi Jason! THANK YOU! for helping me. I tried to do the steps you provided but could NOT completely understand them . I kept searching-- on " EHOW" they had instructions and I  did the steps .  Then I did a reboot.   A notice box came up and wanted me to restore it! SHOULD I? This was 5 minutes ago. When i rebooted and used my mouse to  go online,  usually I have to push cancel on the POP_UP at LEAST 6 times  to get rid of that pop up  BUT  THIS TIME it tried to come up but went back off the screen!!! Praise the Lord! Maybe now I can ENJOY looking for my ancestors again. I am trying to do my family history online and really have enjoyed it until Sept, then it kept getting worse. I was about to GIVE UP! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH! You are kind!  Sincerely, THANKFUL Blueridgelady.Well, I'm not sure on what steps you are REFERRING but I'm glad you got it all fixed and thanks for letting us know.