I use to use ad-aware until they started charging for it. Microsoft just came up with a free Beta version of spyware protection. Do a search on google and you'll find it.
To stop search engines from completing your searches. In your Internet Explorer browser page go to Tools -> Internet Options -> Content -> Auto Complete and uncheck the boxes.
Also if going to your start menu doesnt show all the programs that pop up at start up if you right click on the icons on the bottom of your screen and go to the options they should have an option that says "dont open at start up" or something to that effect.
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