Removing a virus detected by Windows Defender requires a few steps. Depending on the severity of the virus, you may need to run an antivirus scan or disinfection tool to completely eliminate the threat.
1. Disable any current downloads or files that could be infected by the virus.
Before running any virus removal tools, it is important to make sure that any files that could potentially be infected by the virus are disabled. This will help reduce the number of new infections and minimize the damage caused by the virus. To do this, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and end any processes that are related to the virus. You can also disable network access for any programs that can connect to the internet.
2. Run an antivirus scan.
It is important to run an antivirus scan with Windows Defender as soon as possible. This will help identify the threat and provide recommendations on how to remove it. To do this, open Windows Security (Start > Windows Security) and select Virus & threat protection. Select “Run a new advanced scan” and then select Full Scan. This may take some time, so be patient. Once finished, Windows Defender will list any threats it finds and provide recommendations for removal.
3. Use an anti-malware program.
If the virus is still present after an antivirus scan, it may be necessary to use an anti-malware program such as Malwarebytes or Spybot Search & Destroy. These programs will detect and remove any malicious software that could have been installed on your computer by the virus. It is important to ensure that the program is up to date and run a full scan of your computer.
4. Restore backups.
If the virus has caused any damage to your system or data, restoring from a backup may be necessary. Before doing this, make sure that the backup is not corrupted by the virus. It is also important to make sure that you have up-to-date backups for all of your important files.
5. Use disk cleanup.
Disk cleanup is a useful tool to help remove any remnants of the virus. This will delete any temporary files, log files, Recycle Bin items, and other unnecessary files that the virus may have created. To do this, open Disk Cleanup (Start > Type “disk cleanup” into Windows search > Open Disk Cleanup) and then select Clean up system files.
6. Use system restore.
System Restore is a useful tool to help rollback any changes that were made by the virus. This can be useful if the virus modified any system files or registry entries. To do this, open System Restore (Start > Type “system restore” into Windows search > Open System Restore). Select Restore my computer to an earlier time and follow the instructions to restore your computer to a time before the infection.
7. Perform a clean boot.
Performing a clean boot can help to ensure that any services or programs that are related to the virus are disabled. To do this, open System Configuration (Start > Type “msconfig” into Windows search > Open System Configuration). Select the General tab and then select Selective startup. Uncheck the Load startup items box and then select OK. If the virus was using any services or programs to operate, this should help eliminate them.
8. Check your router settings.
If the virus compromised your router, it may be necessary to check its settings. Make sure that there are no unknown users connected to it and that the security settings are up to date. This will help to prevent any malicious users from gaining access to your network.
9. Update your operating system.
Make sure that your operating system is up to date with the latest security patches. This is important as it can help to strengthen the security of your computer and minimize the risk of future infections. To do this, open Windows Update (Start > Windows Update > Check for updates).
10. Change your passwords.
If the virus had access to any of your passwords, it is important to change them as soon as possible. Reset the passwords for any online accounts, email accounts, and other services that you use. Also make sure to use strong passwords that contain a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
By following the above steps, you should be able to remove the virus detected by Windows Defender. It is important to remember that viruses can cause serious damage to your computer and data, so it is important to take all necessary precautions when dealing with them.