Published on: June 6, 2025
- 1. Install an Antivirus. Download a high-quality antivirus app like TotalAV on your desktop.
- 2. Enter Safe Mode. Disconnect from the internet and enter “Safe Mode” to start the virus removal process.
- 3. Remove Viruses & Malware. Scan your PC with the antivirus and allow it to remove malware on the results screen.
- 4. Stay Protected. Enable real-time antivirus protection so that your Windows device is always safe and avoid visiting unverified sites and links.
Has your Windows PC suddenly become slower? Are you constantly seeing ads and new windows popping up? If you’ve got that dreadful feeling your Windows computer has been hacked or contains a virus, don’t panic. Help is just 2 minutes away!
There are excellent antivirus apps to get rid of malware and secure your desktop from future ransomware or trojan horse attacks. But the sooner you remove a virus from your PC, the less damage it could do — so it’s time to decide which antivirus to get.
Getting antsy? Skip reading and get TotalAV — it’s the best for Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 in {{YEAR}}, easy to use, and includes tons of security features for round-the-clock protection. If you need help getting started, use this step-by-step guide to remove malware from your PC.
Step 1. Build Your Arsenal of One — Download Antivirus
Even if you already have an antivirus or Windows Defender on your PC, it’s best to get a premium antivirus. The reason your computer has malware is because your current antivirus isn’t powerful enough to detect certain threats. So, uninstall it and get an antivirus that can do some serious damage — not to your PC, but viruses.
I recommend the advanced TotalAV for military-precision antivirus action. Its full scan and real-time protection detected every single malware file I tried to download during tests. But beyond antivirus, Norton offers exceptional 360° protection with valuable add-ons like:
- Firewall. Monitors network traffic to protect PCs from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
- Web and anti-phishing protection. Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts.
- Parental control. Helps you manage your children’s online activities by setting content filters and enforcing screen time limits.
- Password manager. Generates, stores, and manages passwords, automatically filling them in when needed.
- VPN. Encrypts internet connection to provide privacy and security from hackers.
Step 2. Retreat to Safety — Disconnect the Internet
Once you’ve downloaded an antivirus, it’s time to disconnect the internet and enter safe mode. Disconnecting from the internet will stop the malware from spreading and transferring your data to its servers. If the malware is designed to load automatically, it can’t start without internet access.
Next, restart your PC and enter safe mode. In safe mode, only a limited set of files and drivers are loaded and it’s stable. This will help you eliminate viruses and malware without their interference. During this time, keep your enemy in dark — don’t sign into any of your accounts or connect to the internet.
Step 3. Eliminate the Double Agent Within — Remove Known Threats
Even though a top antivirus like Norton will likely remove all threats, it’s still good to uninstall any malicious application you already know of. For example, if you notice a difference in your PC right after installing an application and suspect it’s a virus, uninstall it immediately.
Hackers also place malware in the temp folder as most people ignore it even during antivirus scans. To make sure a virus is not hiding in there, delete all the files in the temp folder. Remove these files from your recycle bin as well by emptying it.
These are good steps to take when you’re attempting to remove viruses and malware from your Windows desktop. However, it’s not enough and you still have to scan your device with the antivirus you downloaded.
Step 4. Commence Blitzkrieg Attack — Scan for Virus
Run a full scan with your antivirus and it will list any malware files on your PC. Most antiviruses place suspicious files in a quarantine folder so you can choose what to do with them. You can either ignore the threats or remove them from your device.
But remember that some flagged files may be false positives, which are safe files incorrectly identified as harmful. If you need help determining which flagged files on your device are actually unsafe, you can contact your antivirus’ support team.
Make sure to remove all the threats detected by your antivirus app. Once you’ve removed malware from your PC, scan again to make sure all infected files and apps are really gone. If your second scan comes clear, it means your device is now free of malware.
Step 5. Assess Enemy Infiltration — Check Your PC
Some malware modify your browser’s default homepage to reinfect your PC after you’ve scanned and removed them. Often they change it to a malicious homepage so it’s always a good idea to remove the browser in safe mode. You can reinstall the correct browser once you connect to the internet again.
Your computer stores data temporarily for easy retrieval in the future and this is known as cache. It’s another temporary storage. But if a website you visited contains infected data, clearing your cache can prevent your PC from being infected again.
Once you’ve done these, you can restart your PC as you normally would and reconnect to the internet.
I’ve Cleaned House, But How Do I Keep Internet Threats Off?
As long as you go online, there’s always the risk of enemies infecting your computer with malware or virus. But following these best practices will reduce the odds:
- Enable real-time malware protection. Real-time virus protection is a feature that continuously monitors your device and immediately blocks any potential malware downloads. You can usually activate this from your antivirus app.
- Avoid suspicious files and websites. Always download files and apps from known and trusted sites — it’s your first line of defense. If a site is using HTTPS encryption, then you know it’s trustworthy (and securely encrypted). You can tell if you’re on an HTTPS-enabled site if there’s a lock icon on the URL bar.
- Enable phishing protection. The built-in phishing protection tools in browsers like Firefox and Chrome aren’t bullet-proof. Instead, use your antivirus’ web shields to block dangerous sites (Norton offers great web protections).
- Secure your wireless network. Use a strong password for your home network and secure it with a trustworthy password manager like Dashlane. Unsecured public Wi-Fi networks are easy targets for hackers wanting to exploit the data on your Windows laptop. So, it’s a good idea to use a VPN like ExpressVPN on these networks.
- Don’t delay software updates. Most app and Windows updates include important security patches. Use auto-update to make sure you’re always using the latest software on your device.
- Backup files regularly. In worst-case scenarios, your only option is to reset your Windows device to get rid of any malware on your system. But this will only be a minor inconvenience if you’ve backed up all your data on cloud storage or other media (Norton provides easy cloud backup options).
- Use ransomware protection. All the best antivirus scanners now include ransomware detection tools that can block ransomware files before they can lock you out of your system.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA-enabled accounts require both a password and a second form of verification to log in, so that even if your password is breached, your account can’t be accessed. Some forms of 2FA include biometric verification, time-based one-time password (TOTP) authenticators (like Google Authenticator), USB tokens, and SMS verification.
- Use a VPN — to hide your identity from hackers. Good Windows VPNs like ExpressVPN provide military-grade 256-bit AES encryption to secure your data, as well as intuitive Windows apps that won’t drain your laptop’s battery while they’re protecting you online. Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Best Antivirus Software for Windows in 2025
1. TotalAV — Best for Beginners With Easy-to-Use Features
TotalAV has one of the best antivirus scanners and a few really good extras, all manageable from an intuitive dashboard. If it’s your first time using an antivirus, TotalAV has no complicated menus or settings. But it still offers many customization options that advanced users will appreciate.
TotalAV’s antivirus for Windows include:
- Anti-phishing protection.
- Anti-malware scanner.
- Advanced ransomware protection.
- Real-time protection.
- System clean-up tools.
Its antivirus scanner is fast and reliable, with near-perfect malware detection rates. The scanner caught 99% of all of my test malware from viruses to ransomware, missing only a couple of tricky files. Only Norton and McAfee managed to catch those. I also liked that it didn’t have a huge impact on my Windows 10 performance while running a scan.
You also get a full range of extra internet security features with TotalAV, but my favorite is the performance optimizer. I ran it separately from the Smart Scan to clean, repair, and speed up my PC and it cleared up at least 8% more space on my computer than its competitors.
My favorite plan is TotalAV Total Security, which covers up to 8 devices and costs $49.00. If you’re on a budget,
2. Norton — Best Windows Antivirus App With Military-Precision Scanner
Norton is a powerful antivirus with the most comprehensive security features for Windows. Its detection and threat prevention scores were consistently and significantly higher than built-in antiviruses like Windows Defender. During tests, Norton detected 100% of Windows-based malware files without slowing down my desktop or laptop.
Norton’s key features include:
- Web security.
- VPN (virtual private network).
- Wi-Fi network security scanning.
- Malicious app detection.
- Webcam protection.
- Advanced Identity theft tools (using LifeLock technology).
Compared to others, Norton has the best dark web monitoring tool I’ve ever tested. It constantly scans the dark web for a wide range of your personal data, including credit card details, insurance documentation, home addresses, phone numbers, and more. If a leak is detected, you’ll immediately get an alert to take timely precautions.
I’m also a fan of its anti-phishing feature for Windows, which blocks fake sites created by scammers to steal your passwords, credit card number, and other personal details. Plus, Norton has a good password manager that can help you generate and store strong passwords you don’t have to remember.
Norton AntiVirus plan costs $29.99*, but if you want complete malware protection for all of your devices, including Android, Mac, and iOS, then
3. McAfee — Intuitive Windows Antivirus With Many Extra Features
McAfee provides excellent virus protection for Windows and achieved a perfect 100% malware detection rate during my tests. Besides that, it also blocked and removed simple and advanced threats, like viruses, trojans, spyware, keyloggers, and rootkits.
McAfee Total Protection has a great range of internet security features. All of them are intuitive, easy to use, and work just as promised — none of them exhibited any unwanted surprises during my tests. If you also use other devices, McAfee has apps for every major operating system.
It also secures your device in other ways with:
- Malware protection.
- Anti-phishing protection.
- Password manager.
- VPN.
- Identity theft monitoring and coverage.
Additionally, McAfee’s Scam Protection warns you about dangerous links in emails, social media, and web browsers. Since it flagged malicious links extremely quickly, I could easily avoid dangerous sites.
McAfee’s parental control feature is also one of the best. In addition to blocking inappropriate and unwanted content and apps, it comes with advanced location tracking with near-perfect accuracy to track your child’s device. During my tests, it proved to work much better than Google or Apple’s tools for locating devices.
McAfee’s plans start at only $39.99 and offer excellent value. You can choose from 1 of its 4 plans depending on the number of devices and features you need like parental controls, identity theft coverage, and more.
Malware Has Blocked My Device and I Can’t Run an Antivirus Scan! What Do I Do?
Some malware (like ransomware) can lock you out of your Windows device, making it impossible to run a scan. In this situation, you can boot your computer in recovery mode and either reboot or reformat your device.
Recovery mode allows you to diagnose and repair issues affecting your computer’s performance. If your antivirus software can’t eliminate malware, Recovery Mode offers a secure environment to run a scan and remove them effectively.
However, before you use any of the tools in recovery mode, back up your data as some tools, like “Reset This PC”, can erase all your files.
The easiest way to enter recovery mode is to turn on your computer and press and hold the F11 key as soon as you see the manufacturer’s logo. Keep holding the F11 key until you see the “Choose an option” screen. You should be able to select recovery mode here.
Once in this mode, go to your settings and open the programs you’ve downloaded. Look for any unfamiliar app, verify it’s malware and uninstall it. If you deleted the correct malware app, you should be able to reboot your Windows device normally. Run a virus scan using a reliable antivirus app to remove any trace of remaining infected apps.
If this doesn’t work, you may have to factory reset your Windows device as a last resort. This involves removing everything from your PC and reinstalling the operating system and your applications from scratch. Again, before wiping your hard drive, backup all your files to an external drive. It’s also a good idea to consult Microsoft support before beginning the process.
Frequently Asked Questions — How to Remove Viruses and Malware From Windows
How do devices become infected with malware?
Your devices can become infected through several ways — when you open malicious email attachments, harmful downloads from untrusted sites, and when you use infected USB drives. Malware can also spread via compromised websites or bundled with other software installations.
To keep your PC free from malware, use a strong antivirus app like TotalAV, whose real-time malware protection and powerful virus scanning features prevent malware from attacking your device at all times.
How do I know if my Windows computer is infected?
Common indications of malware infection include a significant slowdown in system performance, unexpected pop-ups, changes to your homepage or search engine, unexplained new programs, and a sudden surge in network activity. Regularly monitor these signs and scan your system with an antivirus if you suspect an infection.
How do I remove malware from Windows?
To remove malware from Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11, first disconnect from the internet to prevent further damage. Boot your system into Safe Mode to disable most malware, then run a reputable malware scanner like TotalAV. Remove or quarantine any threats you find. Follow up by checking browser settings and clearing any suspicious changes or caches.
Will a factory reset remove malware from my PC?
A factory reset typically removes most types of malware by restoring your device to its original state. However, it might not eliminate malware embedded in firmware or certain types of sophisticated threats. Run a malware scan with a top antivirus even after performing a reset to ensure complete removal. Factory reset should be the last resort if you want to protect any files saved to your PC.
How do I scan my PC for malware?
You scan your computer for malware using antivirus apps for Windows. Manually scanning for malware is extremely hard to do, even for advanced users — many malware files will rename themselves, duplicate themselves on your device, or even hide themselves so your operating system doesn’t even know they’re installed. That’s why you should just run a scan with a trustworthy antivirus app.
When the scan is finished, your antivirus displays the results and notifies you if any signs of malware infections or harmful apps were found. In most cases, any viruses can be removed with the tap of a button — and apps like TotalAV also provide live customer support if you need help removing malware from your system.