How to Remove Virus From PC? (Easy Steps)

How to Remove Virus From PC?

Is your PC suddenly showing strange pop-ups and running slower than usual?

A malware or virus intrusion into your computer has a direct impact on your system’s performance and puts your confidential information at risk. Clicking a malicious link can infect your PC, and your data may be stolen within minutes. This usually happens through phishing attacks by scammers, who send suspicious emails or links to people, and when someone clicks them, it introduces viruses or malware into their computer. However, there are ways to remove viruses from your PC after detecting them, and you can remove malware or viruses from your device by following simple steps.

Quick Summary

Initial checks:

● Check if your screen shows fake warnings, alerts, or ads.

● Notice the performance of your computer.

● Check for any unknown programs installed on your computer.

● If new toolbars or extensions are added to your computer.

Signs Your Computer Has a Virus

When your system is attacked by a virus, it shows a few signs that indicate something is

wrong, as listed below:

● Your computer is suddenly working slowly.

● It shows frequent pop-ups.

● Your browser redirects you to other websites.

Steps to Remove a Virus From Your Computer

Here are easy steps to remove a virus from your computer.

Step 1: Disconnect Your PC From Internet

Disconnect the computer’s Ethernet cable or turn off the Wi-Fi on your device. It will prevent further infection of your system and stop communication between the virus and external servers. Hence, this step helps prevent further data theft.

Step 2: Enter Safe Mode

Safe mode on Windows is used to troubleshoot viruses, software, and other issues by putting your system in a minimal state where only essential files run. It provides a clean environment for the PC to diagnose the issue. Here are the methods to enter safe mode on a computer:

Press the Windows and I keys on the keyboard to open the Settings.
Select the Update & Security option, and then select Recovery.
After that, select the Restart Now option under Advanced startup.
Click on Troubleshoot, and then select Advanced options.
Next, select Startup Settings, and click Restart.
Finally, press 4, 5, or 6 to enter Safe Mode.

Step 3: Delete Temporary Files

Sometimes, temporary files on your system don’t cause viruses, but they can hide malicious files. These files are not useful and only take up storage. Deleting them may remove the virus from your computer. Here are the steps to delete them:

Search for Settings in the Start menu on your PC, and open it.
Select System under Settings, and then select Storage.

Click on Temporary files, select the file types to remove, and select the “Remove files” option.
Or, you can also press the Windows and R keys together, enter %temp%, and press Enter.

Now, press the Ctrl + A keys and then click the Delete option.

Step 4: Update Necessary Software

Updating software helps protect your system from security threats. When your system isn’t updating to the latest version, or your antivirus software is outdated, it's more vulnerable to phishing attacks.

Step A: Update Your Operating System

To start, search for Settings in the search menu at the bottom of your screen.
Select Update & Security under Settings, and then click on Windows Update.
Next, click on Check for updates, and if any upgrade is available, select Download & install.
Wait until your system updates.

Step B: Update Your Antivirus Software

Open the specific antivirus software you’ve installed, and look for the settings or updates option. Once you find it, click the option to check for updates or update definitions. During this step, you can reconnect your PC to the internet only to install the update, then disconnect it again. Windows Defender is the built-in free security software that also provides real-time protection against viruses and malware. You can also update it using these steps:

Go to the Start menu, look for “Windows Security,” and then open the app.
Select Virus & threat protection, and click Protection updates.
Now, click on “check for updates” and select the available upgrade to download the latest version.

Step 5: Perform an Antivirus Scan

Run a scan to identify whether your system has a virus or another issue. You must have antivirus software installed on your system. If not, install antivirus software and then follow these steps to run a scan:

Go to the Start menu at the bottom of your PC’s screen, and search for “Windows Security.”
Select the Virus & threat protection option under Protection.

Click the Full Scan option to deeply scan your computer.

Step 6: Reset Your Browser

A browser reset removes virus-related issues by 'deleting malicious extensions' and clearing cache and cookies. Use these steps to reset your browser:

Open Chrome, and click the three dots in the top right corner.
Select Settings, and then select Reset Settings on the left menu.
Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
Select the "Reset settings" option to confirm.

Step 7: Remove Suspicious Programs

Some viruses may reinstall through installed programs, which can cause repeated security and performance issues. Therefore, it's important to remove these programs using the steps below:

Search for Settings in the search bar at the bottom of your screen.
Select Apps, and then click Installed Apps or “Apps & Features.”
Find any program that looks suspicious, click on it, and select Uninstall.

Tips to Protect Your PC From Viruses

Viruses may attack your computer at any time, stealing your sensitive information and slowing it down. But you can clean your system from the attacks of viruses if you follow these steps:

Avoid downloading files from unknown websites, and always check for secure URLs (HTTPS).
Avoid opening email attachments from an unknown source.
Make sure you have antivirus software installed.
Be sure to keep your antivirus software and operating system updated.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I know if a virus has been removed from my PC?

If your system is working normally again and not showing any threats after a full scan, the virus has been removed from it. Moreover, you won’t get frequent pop-ups on your system.

Can I remove a virus without antivirus software?

Yes, you can try removing a virus without antivirus software using safe mode and manual steps, but using antivirus software is recommended for complete removal.

Should I disconnect the internet while removing a virus?

Yes, you should disconnect your computer from the internet to prevent further data loss and stop the virus from spreading.

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