Before you can use the forums it is required that you first create a free account. To start the process of creating your free account click on the following link:

Click here to create a free account!

To search the forums, simply click on the Search link found in the Member bar at the top of every page on this site. When you click on this link you will reach a page that will allow you to search the forum for keywords that you enter. When the forum has finished searching you will be presented with a listing of topics that contain your keyword. You can then click on the topic links to read them. If this step does not solve your question; continue on to the next step where you will post your question.

Hint: When searching use specific, rather than general, keywords in order to fine tune your search.

The forums at BleepingComputer.com are categorized by subject matter. Therefore, before asking a question in the forums, you must first pick the category that best matches your question. First, go to the forums by visiting the URL https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/ or by clicking on the Forum tab found on the top of every page. Then scroll through the forum categories until you find one that matches the subject of your question. When you find that forum, click on its title which will bring you into the specific forum you chose.

Once you have selected the forum category in which you would like to ask a question, click on the Start New Topic button designated by the green arrow in the image below.

You will now be at the screen where you input the content and details of your question. The first thing you should do is enter a descriptive topic title in the Topic Title field as shown in the image below

After you have entered the title, you would then enter the actual question you are asking as shown below. When entering your question please be as detailed as possible and include information such as your operating system and the exact error messages you may be receiving.

Next, you should make sure you put a checkmark in the Follow this topic? checkbox as shown below. This will tell the forum software to email you when someone replies to your topic.

Finally, you post your question to the forums by clicking on the Post New Topic button as show below.

BleepingComputer.com is a friendly and polite atmosphere. With this in mind, there are a few rules you need to follow:

• Read the forum rules found here.
  
  
• Do not ask questions that are illegal in nature. This includes downloading or sharing copyrighted software, information on how to crack software, or change an administrator password.
  
  
• Advertisements of any kind are not allowed. Topics with advertisement will be considered spam!
  
  
• Do not post your question multiple times. If you posted your question in the wrong forum, you can always ask a moderator to move it for you. Information on the various member groups and how to find moderators can be found here.
  
  
• Be patient and polite while waiting for your question to be answered. It is important to remember that everyone here is a volunteer, so you may not receive an answer immediately.

BleepingComputer has many useful resources to help optimize and keep your computer trouble free. These resources are outlined below.

• Tech Support Forums - A discussion forum that allows you to help, receive computer help, and get to know the other members of BleepingComputer.com.
  
  
• Spyware and Virus Removal Guides - Self-help guides on removing the latest computer infections.
  
  
• Downloads - You can use this section to download a variety of useful programs for your computer.
  
  
• Tutorials - Various tutorials on basic computer concepts, how to perform various tasks on your computer, and how to remove malware using the most popular anti-malware programs.
  
  
• Startup Database - Startup programs are programs that are automatically started by Windows when the operating system starts. The problem is that many programs, viruses, hijackers, spyware, and other malware set themselves to start automatically when Windows starts. As more and more programs are started automatically, your computer's valuable resources are drained, causing your computer to operate slowly. This database will allow you to search for programs that you find starting automatically on your computer and determine if they are considered to be malware (harmful), optional, unnecessary, or necessary to run.
  
  
• Uninstall List - This database contains a list of entries that can appear in your Add or Remove Programs control panel. These programs can be unwanted programs, and thus should be uninstalled, or for legitimate programs that you may want to leave installed. For most applications, you can remove the software using the Add or Remove Programs control panel. Malware related programs, though, may add these entries to appear legitimate and are not able to be uninstalled using this method. This database will allow you to determine if an entry in your Add or Remove Programs list should be uninstalled.
  
  
• Glossary - A glossary of computer terms.