How to Get Rid of a Virus and other Malware from Windows computers

Table of contents

1. What is Malware and How Do I Know if My Computer is Infected?
2. Determine if Security Software is on Your Dell Computer and Get Support
3. Register Your Dell Factory Installed Security Software
4. Run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT)
5. Ensure that Microsoft Security Features are Enabled
6. Install the Latest Anti-Malware Software to Protect Your Computer

What is Malware and How Do I Know if My Computer is Infected?

Malware has become the name for any type of malicious software such as spyware, adware, or viruses that harm your computer's performance or security. Most malware infections stem from Internet activity which include downloading files or even browsing Internet sites. Most measures for protecting against malware focus on ways to make Internet browsing more secure. Various symptoms can be associated with malware, so anyone (or a combination) of the following symptoms could be good indicators of malware infection.

• Browser Redirects, Popups, Homepage Changes: The browser may suddenly redirect to an unknown website, or a previously set home page may change without warning or input.
• Slow Computer Response: The computer may seem to "lock up" or run slow during regular use. It is also not uncommon to experience delays in the operating system loading to the desktop.
• Processor Utilization at 100% in Task Manager: The processor seems to be working overtime and/or slowly. To check the processor utilization or the kernel memory status, press the CTRL + ALT + DEL keys simultaneously. Then click the Performance tab. Processor utilization is indicated by the CPU Usage gauge.
• Virtual Memory Low Message: This message keeps appearing no matter what changes are made to resolve the issue.

For more information about the computers and indicators of an infected computer, see the article How to Identify and Repair Malware or Virus Infected Computers.

For detailed information about malware, see the Wikipedia entry on malware:

• www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware

A malware infection can cause computer performance issues, corrupt files on the computer, compromise the security of personal information and files that are stored in the computer, and so on.

Determine if Security Software is on Your Dell Computer and Get Support

Determine if you have security software that is already installed on your computer. If so, see your vendor for information about removal of malware.

To determine if you have security software, check the System Tray in the bottom-right corner of your screen for a security icon. McAfee icons are typically red with a large letter "M" in the center of the icon.

Note: If you do not have or do not want to purchase any Internet security software, Windows 10 and Windows 11 include comprehensive security software. Go to the Windows Security Hub to preview and get support.

Register your McAfee LiveSafe Security Software

Dell computers can ship with McAfee Security Center or McAfee LiveSafe, either as a 30-day trial version or subscriptions of up to 36 months. Registration of the product is part of the Windows first-time startup process for your personal computer. Accept the End-User License Agreement (EULA) and supply your email address for registration. No further action is required.

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Run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT)

The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool accurately detects and removes about 80% of known viruses and spyware from your computer.

1. Go to the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool download page.
2. Click Download to start the download process.
3. Click Run to download and run the program.

Ensure that Microsoft Security Features are Enabled

Learn more about Windows Defender firewall settings with Microsoft article, Turn Microsoft Defender Firewall on or off .

Install the Latest Anti-Malware Software to Protect Your Computer

You can find many home security products available for download on our main Dell website. Select Products, then select Software -> Anti-Virus and Security.

If you do not have or do not want to purchase any Internet security software, Windows 10 includes comprehensive security software. Go to the Windows Security Hub to preview and get support.

There are best practices and guidelines that can minimize your exposure to infection. See the articles below for more information about these.

If this article has not answered your question, see the video or article below for more articles on this subject:

• Follow the on-screen instructions to initiate the scan and remove any malicious software if found.
  • Windows Security Hub
  • Windows Updates

Recommended Articles

Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.

• Computer Restarts or Shuts Down Intermittently, Locks Up, Stops Responding or an Error Occurs.
• How to Install McAfee LiveSafe from Dell
• How to Remove Malware Infections from a Dell Computer
• How to Troubleshoot Slow Performance Issues

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