That spinning wheel that won’t stop, the strange pop-ups you’ve never seen before, or the sudden feeling that your laptop is moving through molasses—these are the telltale signs that a virus might have moved in. It’s a frustrating and worrying situation, but please don’t panic. With a calm and methodical approach, you can clean your laptop and get back to smooth, secure computing.
Step One: Disconnect and Enter Safe Mode
First things first, you’ll want to isolate the problem. Disconnect your laptop from the internet, including Wi-Fi and any ethernet cables. This prevents the virus from communicating with its server or spreading. Next, restart your laptop and boot into Safe Mode. On Windows 10 or 11, you can do this by holding the Shift key while clicking “Restart” in the power menu. This loads only the essential programs, making it much easier to remove the malicious software.
Run a Full System Scan with Your Antivirus
Now that you’re in a safer environment, it’s time to bring out the big guns. Open your installed antivirus software—like Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender)—and run a full system scan. Don’t just do a quick scan; a full, deep scan takes longer but is much more thorough. The software will work to identify, quarantine, and delete the harmful files it finds. Be patient, as this process can take some time.
When to Use a Second-Opinion Scanner
Sometimes, a particularly stubborn virus can hide from your primary antivirus. This is where a second-opinion malware scanner comes in handy. Tools like Malwarebytes offer free versions that you can run alongside your main security program. They often detect different types of threats, providing an extra layer of cleaning power. Download and install one, run a scan, and let it remove anything it uncovers.
Clearing Your Browsers and Checking for Lingering Issues
After the virus is removed, it’s a good idea to clean up any residual mess. Reset your web browsers to their default settings. This clears out any unwanted toolbars, extensions, or homepage changes the virus may have made. Finally, check your installed programs list in the Control Panel and uninstall any applications you don’t recognize or remember installing.
Dealing with a virus can feel overwhelming, but by following these clear steps, you can take back control. Remember, the best defense is a good offense, so always keep your software updated and be cautious about the links you click and the files you download.
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