Assuming that your PC is infected with malware and you need to know how can I remove malware from Windows 10 or 7. Then you came to the right place malicious software are something which nobody wants on their computer. Yet almost everyone thinks that malware infection might happen with their PC.
But once a virus affects a computer, nobody knows exactly what’s the first thing one should do to easily clean malware from the computer. Especially when it comes to Windows PC you should regularly check/scan and clean your PC because as compared to Mac and Linus, the Windows OS easily gets virus infected.
In this article, we have explained the best practices coupled with a free malware removal tool for windows 10 which most of the experts use to clean viruses from Windows PC.
How to Remove Malware from Windows 10 PC
Follow this step-by-step guide and instantly get rid of the malware.
- Enter Safe Mode in Windows 10
- Delete temporary files
- Download A Malware Scanner
- Run a scan with Malwarebytes
- Fix Your Web Browser Settings
Step 1: Remove Malware in Safe Mode
Before you download the malware removal tool for Windows and start scanning. You need to disconnect your PC from the internet and don’t use it until you remove malware and clean your PC.
This process can help prevent malware from spreading or leaking your private data. Now if you are certain that it’s a malware infection that’s damaging your computer. Then boot your PC into Microsoft’s Safe Mode.
In this mode, only the minimum required programs and services are loaded. Entering Windows safe mode will prevent any malicious malware to load automatically when Windows start.
This is an important step because it makes it easier to find and remove malware files since they’re not actually running or active.
Unlike, Windows 7 and Windows 8 the process of booting into safe mode in Windows 10 is relatively difficult. To boot into Windows 10 Safe Mode, follow these steps:
- Click the Start button in Windows 10 and select the Power button without clicking anything.
- Hold down the Shift key while clicking Reboot. A full-screen menu will appear.
- Select Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
- When the next window appears click the Restart button and wait for the next screen to appear.
- Now you will see a numbered menu with startup options.
- Select number 4 to enable Safe Mode.
Note: that if you want to connect with the internet while scanning your PC then select option 5 which is Safe Mode with Networking. You are now one step closer to remove malware on Windows 10 PC.
Once you enter in safe mode, if you feel that your PC runs faster, this could be a sign that your computer has a malware infection. Another reason for fast performance could be legitimate programs that normally start up when Windows is on.
Step 2: Delete temporary files
Once you enter in Windows Safe Mode, make sure that you have deleted all unnecessary files. Now run any free malware virus scanner on Windows 10.
When you delete temporary files, it helps the virus scanning process run smoother and simpler. You also get more free disk space, and sometimes get rid of some malware.
To delete temporary files on Windows 10 a free program called Disk Cleanup utility is already there in Windows. Just type Disk Clean-up in the search bar or after pressing the Start button and select the tool that appears named Disk Cleanup.
Step 3: Download Malware Scanners
Now you’re ready to remove malware from Windows using a free malware tool. Usually, running a scanner is enough to remove malware especially for most standard viruses.
Plus Windows 10 also has Microsoft malicious software removal tool which is a built-in spyware removal tool. But it lacks advanced features, that’s why you need fully-featured antivirus scan software on your Windows PC.
If you already have an antivirus program and it’s active on your computer, then it is good. Otherwise, you can use a different malware scanner to remove malware.
Remember, even the best malware removal tool cannot detect 100% malware. Because there are different types viruses which need to be removed.
There are Two Types of Virus Removal Apps
These are Real-time antivirus programs and on-demand Windows malware scanners. Former is more famous antivirus tools because they constantly run in the background and watch for malware and malicious software activity. On-demand free antivirus scanners are another option, they scan PC and search for malware infections when you open the program manually.
You should always download only one real-time antivirus program at a time, but you can have many on-demand virus scanners installed to scan multiple programs.
If you think your PC is infected with a virus, then we recommend that you should download Bitdefender Free Edition, Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool, Malwarebytes, Microsoft’s Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, Avast, or SuperAntiSpyware. These are the best free malware removal tool for Windows 10.
Step 4: Run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Tool
Now it’s time to run the Malwarebytes anti-malware tool on your Windows PC. Here we will show you how to use this tool so first download and install it. But if your PC is in safe mode disconnected from the internet, then reconnect it and download Malwarebytes and disconnect your PC.
When you run this tool, it will start as a trial version and start PC scanning. This trial lasts for 14 days after which Malwarebytes reverts to its standard free version or you can buy its premium options.
As shown in the below picture, you can run PC virus scan from the “Scan Tab” appearing on the dashboard tab.
- Click on “Threat Scan” and then click the “Start Scan” button appearing on bottom side of dashboard.
Apart from standard scan, Malwarebytes also offers custom scan and hyper scan. In order to completely remove malware from Windows 10, Malwarebytes recommends that you should always start PC scan first.
Malwarebytes scanning can take 5 to 20 minutes, whereas custom scan usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. During a virus scan, it shows a report in which you can see how many malware file, malicious software, and objects has been detected.
If during scan Malwarebytes automatically disappears or wouldn’t open? In that case, it could be a dangerous malware attack that kills the scanner and prevent it to remove malware from the PC. In this case, you need to reinstall Windows 10 after making a backup. It will remove malware from Windows more efficiently in this way.
After a full PC virus scan, Malwarebytes antivirus tool displays the result, where you can see which malicious objects have been detected and removed. If the software doesn’t detect any illegal activity but your system is still slow.
Then you need to run Malwarebytes custom virus scan or use other antivirus programs like; AVG antivirus, Iobit Malware Fighter 6, Avira Antivirus Pro, Quick Heal Antivirus. These are the best spyware remover tool.
On the other hand, if Malwarebytes find some antivirus on your PC, click on the “Remove” button. It will remove malware from your PC.
Step 5: Fix Your Web Browser Settings
As already explained that malware and malicious objects can easily damage Windows files. That’s why it’s necessary to remove malware on Windows 10 with the best antivirus program.
It’s also important to fix your web browser setting after you run a free computer cleaner. It’s because malware can modify the browser’s homepage settings. Sometimes malware-infected PC displays advertisement, prevent browsing and generally annoy you.
Read Also: What is Google Chrome Helper, Why Does Chrome Using 100% Memory in 2021
After following step 4 do not launch your web browser at once. Rather, check browser setting and see if any illegal site has been added by the malware.
For Internet Explorer Windows 10, right-click on the “Start” button and select “Control Panel”, then click on “Network and Internet” then click on “Internet Options”. A box will appear like this. Where you can see in “Homepage” and verify that there is not any suspicious site. For Chrome, Firefox and Edge you can simply go to their settings to check homepage settings.
Can I Remove Virus from my Computer Without AntiVirus Software?
- Run the command prompt.
- Select the virus affected drive (drivename: )
- Type attrib -s -h *.* /s /d then press enter
- Type dir ( It will show you the content of the drive)
- Check if there is an unusual .exe file if there’s an autorun.inf file renames it.
- By doing the following steps you can now access the drive without affecting the virus
- Go to my computer
- Select the drive
- Delete the harmful files you can also delete the harmful files using a command prompt ( type del filename)
Regularly Remove Malware From Your PC
To remove malware from a PC always make sure that you have the best antivirus program installed and running on your PC. Malwarebytes is the most reliable antivirus program among others.
It helps to remove malware from Windows PC. But to use its all features you have to pay a subscription annually. On the other hand, there are other antivirus programs mentioned above that are free yet provide adequate protection.
After applying these steps to remove malware on Windows 10. Check your online accounts, social networking sites, bank details, passwords to make sure that they are secure. Keep your Computer drivers updated and other software as well.
This is the method to how to clean up your computer. If these steps helped you remove malware from your Windows PC, then do tell by leaving a comment. Or if you know any other way to clean my PC and remove malware from the PC, tell us!