Virus that Wouldn't Allow Browsers to Open and System Restore Claims it Failed

I was attempting to download a file off of an internet website. I had used the site previously and never had any issues. The download looked a little odd, and I should have listened to my instinct, but I had never had a problem before, so I okayed it. Bad idea.

Suddenly, Microsoft Security Essentials pops up that I have a problem. I delete the file everywhere I can find it and start running Microsoft Security Essentials. I have Google Chrome and Internet Explorer browsers on my computer, though Google Chrome is the only one I typically use.

I opened my task manager, and all of a sudden, my Chrome disappeared as if I hadn't just been using it. I attempted to reboot it, but it said something to the extent of, "Cannot find file. Must have been renamed, moved, or deleted". I attempted to use Internet Explorer, but it just said the same thing. The only way I could access internet was hitting the "?" button on the top right of my Security Essentials page. Everything started running incredibly slow and all these pop-ups were coming up on the internet. I never have pop-ups!

I looked up the basic problem quickly, and decided to do a system restore to 5 days ago. I thought the problem would be over and done with.

When the computer started back up, it said, "System Restore did not complete successfully. Your computer's system files and settings were not changed. Details: An unspecified error occurred during System Restore. (0xc000003a) You can try System Restore again and choose a different restore point. If you continue to see this error, you can try and advanced recovery method. For more information, see What is Recovery?".

I am running another scan with Microsoft Security Essentials, and almost 75% of the way in, it hasn't encountered any problems. My computer is running fine and my browser (Chrome) will open now. I just don't quite understand. If the System Restore failed, wouldn't my computer still be in a really messed-up state, like it was before? Is it possible at all for a virus to be lying dormant and not be caught by my Microsoft Anti-Virus program? I apologize, I just don't want to assume it's over and start having issues again.

--The only thing I did notice that is different... I had a "Theme" on my Google Chrome. Now it is gone. Everything else seems ok so far.

Any help/comments/suggestions/ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much!!

*Please, try not to be too crazy technical about it. I am no computer genius. I just know a little.

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