How do I remove a computer virus?
Remove computer virus’s and spyware with some tools from Microsoft.
If your computer is infected with a virus, you’ll want to remove it as quickly as possible. A fast way to check for viruses is to use an online scanner, such as the Microsoft Safety Scanner. The scanner is a free online service that helps you identify and remove viruses, clean up your hard disk, and generally improve your computer’s performance.
If you’re not sure whether your computer has a virus, see How can I tell if my computer has a virus? to check for some telltale signs. To try a different online scanner, follow the links to other companies that provide them on the Windows Security software providers webpage.
If you can connect to the Internet
If you can reach a website using your web browser, run an online scan.
To run the Microsoft Safety Scanner
- Go to the Microsoft Safety Scanner webpage to download the scanner.
- Click Download Now, and then follow the instructions on the screen.
If you can’t connect to the Internet
If you can’t get to the Microsoft Safety Scanner online, try restarting your computer in safe mode with networking enabled.
To restart in Safe Mode with networking enabled
- Restart your computer.
- When you see the computer manufacturer’s logo, press and hold the F8 key.
- On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Networking, and then press Enter.
- Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.
- Follow the steps above to run the Microsoft Safety Scanner.
Remove a virus manually
Sometimes a virus must be removed manually. This can become a technical process that you should only undertake if you have experience with the Windows registry and know how to view and delete system and program files in Windows.
First, identify the virus by name by running your antivirus program. If you don’t have an antivirus program or if your program doesn’t detect the virus, you might still be able to identify it by looking for clues about how it behaves. Write down the words in any messages it displays or, if you received the virus in email, write down the subject line or name of the file attached to the message. Then search an antivirus vendor’s website for references to what you wrote down to try to find the name of the virus and instructions for how to remove it.
Recovery and prevention
After the virus is removed, you might need to reinstall some software or restore lost information. Doing regular backups on your files can help you avoid data loss if your computer becomes infected again. If you haven’t kept backups in the past, we recommend that you start now.
