How to check a computer for viruses how to#
How to check a computer for viruses install#
How to check a computer for viruses update#

Otherwise, a full scan is recommended to ensure that malware is found no matter where itвЂ™s hiding. If you know which folders you want to check for viruses, use the custom scan option. The Adaware Live CD supports boot sector scans, quick scans, full scans, and custom scans.

Choose SELECT and then open the ISO file you just downloaded.

Open Rufus and select that device from the first drop-down menu.

If youвЂ™re not, copy the contents elsewhere for the time being. Make sure youвЂ™re okay with having the whole drive wiped clean.

Plug your USB device into the computer.

Note: This software can also be booted from a disc, so if youвЂ™d rather do that, you can burn the program to a CD with ImgBurn and then skip down to the BIOS step below.

How to check a computer for viruses install#

ThereвЂ™s a portable version on the download page if youвЂ™d rather not install it.

Also download Rufus, the program weвЂ™ll use to put the software on a flash drive.

Some of the other bootable AV programs listed above are much smaller if time is an issue. This software is over 1 GB in size, so it could take a while to download. Pick the amd64 version if you have a 64-bit computer, otherwise use x86 for 32-bit.

Visit the link above to download the ISO file.

How to check a computer for viruses update#

WeвЂ™ll use AdawareвЂ™s Rescue USB program as an example since it works with Windows 7 and newer Windows operating systems, can update its definitions before the scan, and supports custom scans. Some of these programs require a disc and others can be used with a flash drive. There are lots of options for this type, including Trend Micro Rescue Disk, Comodo Rescue Disk, Anvi Rescue Disk, Kaspersky Rescue Disk, and Windows Defender Offline. The first type of bootable antivirus program is an ISO file that you download to your computer and then put on a separate device so that you can boot from it. This is the easier method for most people, but it wonвЂ™t work if the virus is so harmful that itвЂ™s not letting you start the operating system properly. Just restart the computer and let the scan run its course. The other kind is installed to your computer and functions like a normal antivirus solution, but within it is an option to also run boot-time scans. What happens is that the software on that device or disc is started instead of your operating system, and then you can run the scan and remove viruses from there. One is a self-contained program that you have to install on a USB device or disc and then boot from it when your computer starts up. There are two types of bootable antivirus software. Tip: If you get viruses often, learn how you should be protecting your computer from hackers and malware.

How to check a computer for viruses how to#

If youвЂ™re not familiar with this process, weвЂ™ll go over all the steps, including how to download the scanner and what to do next to have it run at startup instead of your operating system.

Below are the best ways to remove viruses before the operating system starts.