How to scan your Windows PC for malware

If you suppose your PC is contaminated with some type of malware otherwise you simply need to do a scan as a part of a digital cleanup, Windows has a built-in safety software that may assist you in your approach — no third-party software program to put in or pay for. It’s known as Windows Security.

Once upon a time, Windows Security was known as Windows Defender Security Center, however the app is essentially comparable. Searching “Windows Defender” within the Start menu will deliver up Windows Security, and even now, Microsoft typically refers to its precise antivirus scanning as Windows Defender.

Microsoft’s built-in anti-malware software program was once regarded as completely nugatory, however lately, it may grasp with large names like Kaspersky and Avast in independent tests (blocking 99.7% of threats). Microsoft has additionally been pushing safety with Windows 11, even going as far as to confusingly lock out folks with older computer systems that don’t have sure {hardware}. But relating to good old style software program safety, Windows 11 is comparatively easy.

To open it, you possibly can merely kind “Windows Security” into the Start menu search. You also can get to it by going to “Settings” > “Privacy & Security” > “Windows Security,” which will provide you with a fast overview of your system’s standing. You can then click on the “Open Windows Security” button to get entry to the total app.

After you’ve received it open, right here’s a few of what you are able to do:

Run a malware scan on Windows 11

By default, Windows’ built-in safety will run within the background and try to right away block any malicious recordsdata that make their technique to your laptop. However, if you wish to do periodic spot checks, you possibly can manually run a scan.

To do that, go to “Windows Security” > “Virus & threat protection,” and click on the “Quick scan” button. If you need to do a extra thorough scan, which is able to take longer however will test all of your recordsdata and operating applications, you possibly can as a substitute click on the “Scan options” button, and select “Full scan.”

If Windows finds malware through the scan, you possibly can click on the “Start actions” button to start the method of eradicating the virus(es) out of your laptop.

If the scan doesn’t flip up something, you’ll simply see a report about how lengthy the scan took, what number of recordsdata have been scanned, and when the scan passed off.

Keep Windows safety updated

If you need to be certain that Windows is at all times scanning for viruses within the background, you possibly can go to “Windows Security” > “Virus & threat protection” > “Virus and threat protection settings.” Click on “Manage settings” and ensure the “Real-time protection” possibility is toggled on.

To be certain that your laptop is utilizing the newest antivirus definitions, you possibly can go to “Windows Security” > “Virus & threat protection” > “Virus & threat protection settings.” Click on “Manage settings” and ensure “Cloud-delivered protection” is toggled on.

Windows 11 usually does its finest to maintain itself up to date, however to manually test, you possibly can go to “Settings” > “Windows update,” which may be discovered each on the backside left and high proper. From there, you possibly can click on the “Check for updates” button. You also can kind “check for updates” within the Start menu search bar to be taken on to the “Windows Update” display.

If you’ve put in loads of apps from the Microsoft Store, you possibly can replace these as nicely by opening the Microsoft Store, going to “Library” (on the underside left of the window), then clicking the “Get Updates” button.

If you continue to have Windows 10

If you’re operating the newest model of Windows 10, the method for operating a virus scan will probably be largely the identical as on Windows 11. On some older variations of Windows 10, you’ll use the Windows Defender Security Center software as a substitute, however the course of will probably be a lot the identical after you open the app.

What are the indicators my PC is contaminated?

Malware is available in many shapes and kinds, however there are some frequent issues it might do to your laptop. If you discover that your search engine, browser homepage, and even desktop wallpaper have modified with out you doing something, it might be time to run a scan as described above. Other signs could possibly be your laptop operating hotter or slower than typical or seeing popups or notifications that you just haven’t seen earlier than.

Google has an ideal video describing a number of the frequent signs of malware.

If Windows detects a menace

If you get a notification from the Microsoft Security app saying that it’s detected a menace, it’s probably that the issue has already been handled. However, it’s value double-checking the notification — some malware (particularly malicious internet advertisements) will faux to be an antivirus notification to get you to click on on them.

Windows Security notifications will seem like the picture proven beneath and can seem on the highest proper nook of your display. After they disappear, they’ll be proven on the notification display, which you’ll view by clicking on the clock in your taskbar.

Whitelisting a file

While anti-malware software program tries its finest to solely flag the dangerous recordsdata and depart the great ones, generally it should get it incorrect. If you’re very positive that Windows has made a mistake and deleted a file that it shouldn’t have, you possibly can retrieve it.

Before you achieve this, it’s value noting that simply since you belief the one who despatched you a file doesn’t imply that the file is protected. There is a few malware that is ready to hijack folks’s emails and ship copies to everybody of their contacts. If you obtain a suspicious file from somebody you belief, it’s a good suggestion to ask them about it earlier than making an attempt to open it.

To view and restore an incorrectly flagged file, go to “Windows Security” > “Virus and threat protection” > “Protection history.” There you’ll discover any threats that Windows Security discovered, together with their severity stage. To restore a file (which, once more, you ought to be very cautious earlier than doing), click on on the entry, then click on the “Actions” button to get entry to the “Allow” button.

What occurs after you enable the file relies on the way it was handled. If its standing is “Quarantined,” permitting it should put it again in your laptop. If its standing is “Removed,” you’ll should obtain it once more, however Microsoft Security received’t cease you.

You can view an inventory of the detected recordsdata you’ve allowed by going to “Windows Security” > “Virus & threat protection” > “Allowed threats.” If you’ve determined they’re certainly a menace, you possibly can re-delete them by clicking on them, then clicking the “Don’t allow” button.

When issues get nasty

Sometimes there are viruses or items of malware that struggle again once you attempt to take away them. To assist take care of this, Windows has a kind of extra-strength model of its antivirus scan. To run it, go to “Windows Security” > “Virus & threat protection” > “Scan options,” and choose “Microsoft Defender Offline scan.” After clicking the “Scan now” button, your laptop will restart right into a particular mode to do a scan. Once it’s performed, your laptop will restart once more, bringing you again to Windows.

If your laptop nonetheless exhibits indicators of being contaminated, a few of us right here at The Verge advocate the free model of Malwarebytes, which has saved our (and our kin’) machines quite a lot of occasions. (It’s a good suggestion to have Malwarebytes already in your laptop since some malware can block you from putting in any extra safety apps.)

If your PC continues to be locked up, otherwise you’re instantly getting notifications that it’s essential to ship someone cash to unlock it, it might be time to contact an IT skilled.

Third-party anti-malware apps

While Windows Security ought to do a great job at defending your laptop from viruses, malware, and different nasty recordsdata, there are nonetheless issues it may’t do — as an illustration, even with Windows 11, the built-in instruments received’t defend you from e mail phishing scams or from rip-off advertisements in your internet browser.

If you’re seeking to step up your sport from the fundamental Windows Security, you would possibly need to try anti-malware suites, resembling McAfee, Norton 360, Kaspersky or Bitdefender. Searching out just a few evaluations will provide you with a good suggestion of what you want (and what you don’t — you, applications that include crypto miners).

If you’ve heard in regards to the risks of operating a number of anti-malware methods, don’t fear; Microsoft says its built-in resolution will mechanically flip off if it detects that there’s one other antivirus put in and activated. If you uninstall the opposite anti-malware app, Microsoft’s ought to flip again on mechanically.