How To Remove Malware From Windows PC

The most common ways Malware gets into your system are; through websites and internet mediums. The common sorts of malware are classed as “Spyware, Adware, and Ransomware”. Generally speaking, malware is designed to use your computer/data to get money. That’s why we see most people searching about “How to remove malware from the PC?”

The hackers and cybercriminals, designers of malware, introduce this malware in your system and can earn by stealing your financial information. Another way they can earn by using your computer is by running or promoting ads on your system. As we already know simple anti-virus software is not good enough to remove malware from your system.

Because the objective of anti-virus is entirely different which is to guard you against Viruses. Here, keep in mind that Viruses don’t serve the aim of creating money; Malware does. And this is where Malwarebytes or some other Malware removal tool comes, to protect your data and stop malware creators to earn money using your data. Over the years, people have used it to eliminate malware. Today, here I will guide you through the steps to use Malwarebytes (effectively).

How to Remove Malware from Windows 10?

Before we talk about some third-party tools to remove malware from your system follow the below-mentioned steps to clean your system which may prove helpful in removing malware:

• Switch your PC to safe mode which we will describe later in the article, so read to the end.
• Delete all the temporary files by using Windows 10 in-built Disk Clean-up Utility. To do this, type Disk Cleanup in the search box available next to the Start option on your screen. Once into the tool, click on the “Free up disk space by cleaning unnecessary files”. A window will pop up on your screen. Here, select the drive with temporary files by the Drag down button. Click OK to complete the Process.

• Remove System Restore Points. This is another step you can take before downloading anti-malware tool. To do this, Press the Windows logo key + Pause break key together. It will open System window from the Control panel. Here, choose the “System protection”. Then in the window of System Properties, click on the drive whose system protection is located (Local Disk:C). Then click “Configure” and “Ok”.

Now we have talked about the general ways to delete the files which can have malware. So, let’s have a look at Windows 10 inbuilt Malware removal tool to scan and remove the malware.

How To Remove Malware From your PC by Windows Defender

Windows Defender is an anti-malware scanner and remover which comes inbuilt with Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 versions. Windows Defender has been with us for years but the latest update has really upgraded the security levels as well as scanning powers.

Also, it works fine with other third-party malware removal software downloaded in your system. The best part is that Windows Defender works automatically. Once installed, it will scan and remove any threats from your system. To run the Windows Defender Scan, follow the instructions below:

• Open Windows Security on your PC.
• Select the option Virus & threat protection.
• Then look in the Scan options.
• Click on the Windows Defender Offline scan.
• Lastly, click on the Scan now.

Once the scan is complete, you can view your scan results by;

Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > Protection History

The threats or malware detected by Windows Defender will automatically be quarantined and removed from your PC and your system will reboot. After reboot, again go for a scan and see the results. But here take a note that, Windows 10 inbuilt security tool has its own limitations because malware developers always find one way or another to get past this scan and enter it into your system. That’s why third-party malware removal software is important. Also, Windows inbuilt security tools don’t provide protection against the latest and powerful malware. For the protection against powerful malware, some other anti-malware is a requirement.

So, here take a look at Malwarebytes which is the best third-party anti-malware tool to protect your system.

How To Install and Use Malwarebytes To Remove Malware from Your PC

Before downloading Malwarebytes, keep in mind that there are two, paid and free, versions available. The paid version of Malwarebytes is a real-time malware remover. It scans and kills the malware as they come into your system. But the free version requires you to run it manually every time you want to scan your PC for any Malware presence.

• I recommend to close all the open programs on your device (PC or Mac).
• Download Malwarebytes

• When downloaded, click on the icon to start the installation of Malwarebytes.
• Your computer will ask you if you want to allow this software to make changes to your computer. Click on yes.
• Once installed, the setup process of Malwarebytes will automatically start. It will check for updates first.
• When the option of Scan appears on your screen, click the “Scan”. You can also go for custom scan which allows you to scan whatever stuff you want.

Clean boot your PC and run Malwarebytes again

You might be thinking what is Clean Boot/Safe mode? So, basically Clean Boot is an in-built Windows environment that works somewhat differently from normal mode. Safe Mode, when enabled, stops the startup programs, and other services of third-party apps to lessen the load. Because less load means better and efficient malware scanning. And not just easy scanning, the malware removal software, which in our case is Malwarebytes, will easily eliminate the malware when it’s sleeping. Because due to Safe mode, it will be unable to fight back to the anti-malware software.

Is Safe mode same as Clean Boot?

Another point to notice here is that, in the older Windows versions like Windows 8, Vista, XP, etc there was a safe mode that disables the startup programs, and other services of third-party apps to lessen the load. Safe mode uses minimal pre-defined device drivers and other services to start Windows operating system. But in Windows 10, this mode is known as Clean Boot which is much better than safe mode.

A “clean boot” starts Windows 10 with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps you in analyzing whether a background program is interfering with your game or program. This is similar to starting Windows in Safe Mode but provides you more control over which services and programs run at startup to help you isolate the cause of a problem.

When you run the clean boot in the computer, the computer starts by using a pre-selected minimal set of device drivers and startup programs. And when the computer will start with a minimal set of services, some programs may not work (which means, that the program has some malware or problem with it). In short, a Clean boot is more useful in locating the problem.

Now if any malware is detected in your system you can quarantine them and then reboot your PC. To quarantine the malware, click on the [Detection History] on the main page. Once the scan is complete the malware will be quarantined and now you will have to reboot your PC. After rebooting, your computer will be clean from any malware and online threats.

So, this is it for now. We will keep updating you about the latest and best malware removal software, so stay tuned to our website.