If your computer is running slow or you're having unusual activity, you may need to scan your computer for spyware, malware, viruses or trojans.
First do a deep scan with your anti-virus program, either Windows Defender or a third party program if you have that.
The next thing to do is use the Windows Malicious Removal Tool. In the Windows search window type "run" and in the popup window type "mrt". You can then do a quick scan or a deep scan. The quick scan takes about 5 minutes, the deep scan can take several hours! Just let it run and see if it finds and removes any infections.
There are a few anti-virus suppliers who have a (free) online virus scanning tool that can be used on an infected computer:
- F-Secure Online Virus Scanner - viruses and other malicious software
- McAfee has an online security scan - virus removal tool
- Trend Micro HouseCall virus removal tool
- Eset online virus scanner runs from your browser without installing any software
- Kaspersky virus removal tool
- Panda Software Active scan (includes rootkit detection)
Eset also has a set of removal tools for particular hard-to-remove infections.
Try Superantispyware which, despite its hokey name, is excellent at removing malware and spyware. It also works as a real-time monitor of your computer.
Kaspersky also has a free rescue "disk" to use if your computer is so infected that you cannot log into or run it. You download the software (using another computer, of course) and install it on a USB stick or burn it onto a disc. (Most computers, especially laptops, no longer have disc players so the USB option is best). Just install it on the USB stick then boot the troubled computer from the USB stick. You may have to get into the BIOS on your computer to have it boot from the USB.
For the ultimate in handy tools for recovering a broken computer try Hiren's BootCD PE. It can be run from a CD or USB. Just install on a USB stick and boot your computer from the USB. There is a huge selection of apps for recovering a PC. Here is what it has:
BCD-MBR Tools
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Other Tools
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To do a System Restore of the problem operating system, run Hiren's BootCD and open up a Command Prompt (CMD). At the prompt type rstrui.exe /offline:c:\Windows. The System Restore window will open, just go ahead with the restoration.
Older versions of Hiren's BootCD can be found here and here.
