Running the system restore utility should be used only when you have to restore the system after a bad software installation. Download speeds always vary at times due to the amount of users logged onto a server there. If you see downloads from certain sites drag simply go there at a different time of day when there is less activity. Noticing Spybot S+D, AdAware, and Windows Defender are already on your system a pair of other freewares would be better to go with then the BPS or EPest you have been running.
For an effective antivirus as well malware spotter,
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5 AVG has performed great here!
For an effective spy blaster recently acquired by Grisoft,
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/ewido-an.../lng/us/tpl/v5 Ewido has also been doing a good job so far. Give these a good run.