Does your Windows PC have a virus, or is something else going wrong?

Information in this article applies to computers with Windows 10, 8, or 7.

Does My Computer Have a Virus?

A image of blurred programming code.

Getty

Therefore, consistent scanning with a quality antivirus program is the only way to protect your gear.

Some malware runs on startup and will attempt to disguise itself as a normal Windows process.

With a quick Google search, it’s possible for you to quickly discern whether a process is legitimate.

Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard, then select Windows PowerShell (Admin).

In Windows 7, pressWindows key+R, entercmdin theCommand Prompt, then selectOK.

SelectYeswhen the UAC dialog appears.

Enter the commandshutdown /r /t 0, then pressEnter.

Select Yes when the UAC dialog appears.

With your PC restarted, right choose the taskbar, then selectTask Manager.

If you see a suspicious process running, right click it and selectSearch online.

Read through multiple search results to determine if the process is legitimate or not.

Enter the command shutdown /r /t 0, then press Enter.

If you think you’ve identified a virus, it’s possible for you to now remove the threat.

To scan for viruses with Windows Defender:

Typewindows defender settingsinto Windows search and selectOpenonce the results populate.

SelectVirus & threat protection.

Right click the taskbar, then select Task Manager.

Once the virus scan has finished, potential threats are listed above the scan details.

If the scan reveals any potential threats, it’s time to remove them now.

Go to yourDownloadsfolder, right-clickmseinstall.exe, then clickRun as administrator.

If you see a suspicious process running, right click it and select Search online.

ClickNextwhen the installation wizard appears.

Review the Software License Terms, then clickI accept.

Choose one of the two Customer Experience Improvement options, then clickNext.

Read through multiple search results to determine if the process is legitimate.

check that both checkboxes are selected, then clickNext.

The option to turn the firewall on or off is available after installation.

verify you uninstall any other antivirus programs on your system before you click Install.

Type windows defender settings into Windows search and select Open once the results populate.

ClickScan my computer for potential threats after getting the latest updates, then clickFinish.

Wait for MSE to update its virus and spyware definitions.

Once the virus signatures are updated, MSE will begin scanning your system.

Select Virus & threat protection in the Windows Security options for Windows 10.

After the scan is complete, any potentially harmful files or threats will be listed.

To perform a more specific scan, select eitherFullorCustomin the right pane.

In some cases, Windows might not flag a file that other antivirus tools will, and vice-versa.

Select Scan options.

There are severalfree virus checkersand paid antivirus tools to choose from.

Select one of the four scanning options (Quick scan, Full scan, Custom scan, or Windows Defender Offline scan), then select Scan now.

the scan results in Windows Defender.

Go to the MSE download page, choose your version (32 or 64-bit) and language, then select Save File.

Go to your Downloads folder, right-click mseinstall.exe, then select Run as administrator.

Select Next when the installation wizard appears.

MSE’s software license and terms.

Choose one of the two Customer Experience Improvement options, then click Next.

Make sure both checkboxes are checked, then click Next.

Click Install to complete of the final step in MSE’s setup wizard.

Click Scan my computer for potential threats after getting the latest updates, then click Finish.

Wait for MSE to update its virus and spyware definitions.

Once the virus signatures are updated, MSE will begin scanning your system.

After the scan is complete, any potentially harmful files or threats will be listed.