How to Remove All Viruses from Windows 10/11?

Windows 10 and Windows 11 are powerful operating systems, but no system is completely immune to cyber threats like viruses, malware, and other malicious software. If your PC is infected, it can slow down your system, compromise your personal data, and lead to a host of other issues. Thankfully, there are multiple ways to remove viruses from your Windows 10/11 computer, ensuring your device remains secure and performs optimally. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain how to detect, remove, and protect your system from viruses on Windows 10/11. By the end of this article, you’ll have a step-by-step understanding of how to clean your computer from viruses and safeguard it against future threats.

Signs Your Windows PC May Be Infected with a Virus

Before diving into the steps to remove viruses, it’s important to first identify the symptoms of an infected computer. Some common signs that your system may have a virus or malware include:

• Sluggish Performance: Your PC is slower than usual, and it takes longer for applications to open or run.
• Unexpected Crashes: Programs or your entire system crashes unexpectedly, causing data loss or forcing a restart.
• Frequent Pop-ups: Unsolicited pop-ups or ads, often from unknown sources, disrupting your browsing experience.
• Unexplained Activities: Unusual behavior such as apps opening or closing by themselves, new icons appearing on your desktop, or unfamiliar programs running.
• Changes to Your Homepage or Browser Settings: A virus may alter your browser settings or redirect you to suspicious websites without your consent.
• Increased Hard Drive Activity: Continuous disk activity when you’re not running any programs, indicating hidden malware processes running in the background.
• Security Warnings: Alerts from your antivirus software or other security tools about suspicious files or activity.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to take action to remove the virus and secure your system.

Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Viruses from Windows 10/11

Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode

When dealing with a virus infection, it’s best to start in Safe Mode. Safe Mode allows only essential system programs to run, preventing the virus from interfering with your attempts to remove it.

• For Windows 10:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type msconfig and press Enter.
  3. In the System Configuration window, navigate to the Boot tab.
  4. Under Boot options, check the Safe boot option and select Minimal.
  5. Click OK, then restart your computer. Your PC will now boot into Safe Mode.

• For Windows 11:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to System > Recovery.
  3. Under Advanced Startup, click Restart now.
  4. After the restart, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
  5. After your PC restarts again, select the number corresponding to Safe Mode (usually F4).

Step 2: Run Windows Defender (Windows Security)

Windows 10 and 11 come with a built-in security tool called Windows Defender, now known as Windows Security. It’s a comprehensive tool that detects and removes a variety of malware, including viruses.

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Go to Privacy & Security > Windows Security.
3. Under Virus & Threat Protection, click on Quick Scan to scan your system for viruses. If you want a more thorough search, click on Full Scan to examine your entire system, including all files and applications.

Tip: Windows Defender automatically runs periodic scans, but you can manually run one to ensure your PC is fully protected.

Step 3: Use a Third-Party Antivirus Program

While Windows Defender is effective, some viruses may evade detection, especially if they are more sophisticated. A trusted third-party antivirus program can offer an extra layer of protection and deeper scanning capabilities. Some of the best antivirus software includes:

• Bitdefender Antivirus
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus
• Norton Antivirus
• McAfee Total Protection
• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

These programs often have advanced malware detection and removal features that go beyond what Windows Defender can do. To remove viruses with a third-party program:

1. Install the antivirus software of your choice.
2. Update it to the latest virus definitions to ensure it can identify the latest threats.
3. Run a full system scan, and allow the program to detect and remove any viruses or malware.

Note: Some of these tools also offer free versions that you can use to scan your system for viruses, even if you don’t want to purchase a full license.

Step 4: Check for Suspicious Processes and Programs

Viruses often run hidden in the background, disguised as regular processes. You can use Task Manager to look for any suspicious programs or processes that might be running.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Check the list of processes running in the Processes tab. Look for unfamiliar or suspicious programs.
3. Right-click on suspicious processes and select Open File Location. If the file is located in a suspicious or unusual directory, it might be malicious.
4. End the task for the suspicious process by right-clicking on it and selecting End Task.

If you’re uncertain about a process, you can search its name online to see if it’s legitimate. Be cautious about ending processes unless you are sure they are harmful.

Step 5: Remove Malicious Browser Extensions

Malware often installs browser extensions to track your activities, redirect your searches, or bombard you with pop-up ads. You need to check and remove any malicious browser extensions from your browsers.

For Google Chrome:

1. Open Chrome and click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
2. Go to More Tools > Extensions.
3. Review all extensions and remove any that are unfamiliar or suspicious.
4. To clear browser cache and cookies, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data.

For Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Edge and click on the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner.
2. Go to Extensions.
3. Remove any suspicious extensions.
4. To clear cache, go to Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services > Clear Browsing Data.

For Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
2. Select Add-ons > Extensions.
3. Remove any extensions that you don’t recognize or that seem suspicious.
4. To clear the cache, go to Options > Privacy & Security > Clear History.

Step 6: Run a Malware Removal Tool

If the above methods haven’t been able to clean your system, specialized tools like Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner can help. These tools are designed specifically to detect and remove malware and adware that may not be picked up by traditional antivirus software.

1. Download and install Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner.
2. Run a full system scan to detect and remove any remaining malware or adware.

Tip: You can run these tools in Safe Mode for better detection, as it prevents malware from hiding or interfering with the scan.

Step 7: Reset Your Browser Settings

If your browser has been hijacked by malware, resetting your browser to its default settings can remove any lingering issues.

• For Google Chrome: Go to Settings > Advanced > Reset Settings and click on Restore settings to their original defaults.
• For Microsoft Edge: Go to Settings > Reset Settings and click on Restore settings to their default values.
• For Mozilla Firefox: Go to Help > Troubleshooting Information and click on Refresh Firefox.

Step 8: Update Windows and Installed Software

Many viruses exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software, including your operating system and installed applications. To close these security holes and protect your system from future attacks, always keep your Windows OS and other software updated.

• To update Windows: Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
• To update apps: Use the Microsoft Store to update apps or manually check for updates within each program.

Step 9: Consider a Full System Reset (Last Resort)

If your system is still infected despite all your efforts, the last resort is to reset Windows to its default state. This will remove all applications and files from your system, so be sure to back up important data before proceeding.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to System > Recovery.
3. Under Reset this PC, click Get Started.
4. Choose Remove everything and follow the on-screen instructions to reset your PC.

Important: A system reset will erase everything on your computer, so back up all essential files before performing this step.

Conclusion

Removing viruses from Windows 10/11 requires a multi-step approach, and while the process can be time-consuming, it’s crucial for maintaining the security and performance of your PC. From using Windows Defender and third-party antivirus tools to clearing browser caches and resetting your system, each of these steps will help you restore your system to its safe state. If you’re unsure about any of the steps or if the infection persists, it’s a good idea to seek professional help. Same Day Computer Repairs offers expert services for virus removal, system optimization, and ongoing digital protection to ensure your devices stay safe from malware and other online threats. Protect your PC, data, and privacy by staying vigilant and following the steps outlined in this guide.