5 Tips for Removing a Computer Virus

Viruses are commonly known as harmful, self-replicating programs that enter your computer’s memory without you being aware of it. The internet is full of thousands of viruses, spywares and malwares just waiting for an open security breach on your computer in order for them to start destroying the memory of your machine. These unwanted programs has to be quarantined, removed and deleted from your computer before it destroys everything. A computer owner like you needs to know how this removal is done. Read through this article and learn some ways of removing these tiny destructive devils.

Stay Away and Beware of Harmful Programs

Viruses, malwares and spyware lure around just in any site you visit. They can be transmitted in different ways. Emails, USB’s even free cracked and patch versions of software may all contain these computer devils. You will only know it when it is too late. A computer infected with viruses usually slows down until it shuts from its normal function. Viruses may cause hardware and software damage which will surely cost you an arm!

Virus Removal Tips

There are several ways in removing viruses and other malicious software in your computer and it all depends on you in choosing which one would you really want to use to finally take these tiny yet destructive programs from your computer. Most of the solutions presented here applies to Windows 7 and others would apply to the latest Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 operating system.

1. System Restore

This tool available on Windows operating system versions (XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1) restores your windows system to an earlier working image version before the virus entered your computer’s memory. Removing the virus first using an antivirus is required before a system restore is done. Booting your computer on a system restore option is one way of using this tool or it can also be accessed through the control panel option. Either way works the same. After the restoring action is done, a wide/ full system scan is required so as to fix all existing errors.

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2. Registry Repair

A virus existing on your computer registry usually causes your computer to slow down and hang most of the time. When your computer gets infected by this type of virus, downloading free registry repair software will be very helpful. Windows will automatically execute the needed repairs on your registry once you start the repair. After the repair process, don’t forget to do a wide scan on your system using your antivirus software and delete all detected viruses.

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3. Antivirus Software

Most antivirus software brand offers free version but the capabilities are limited. Investing on a license for your antivirus program will help you rid away from viruses. Once you have installed the software just execute a full system scan and delete all detected viruses. This antivirus programs also automatically detects viruses on emails or USB’s. It’s really worth the money you invested!

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4. Reformat

If your computer is really in bad shape then reformat is the best and the last option. This process works by erasing all the files and your operating system from your hard drive. Systems restore or a back-up from an earlier image of your system needs to be saved on another partition on your drive if you still want your previous files to be accessible. Once the partition containing the operating system has been reformatted, reinstallation should be done by using your operating system cd installer. This is done by booting up your computer using the CD ROM drive. Once the computer turns on, just press F12 to access the booting option and choose the right Item to install a brand new image of the operating you had when your computer was new.

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5. Reinstall Windows

In the worst cases of virus infection in any Windows computer regardless of what the version is. You will need to remove Windows completely and just install it again using a software install disk. If you’re lucky enough to have saved all your files in a separate storage device before the reformat process then you’re guaranteed to still have access to them even after Windows gets reinstalled but if problems were already worst and your files were all saved in your computer which suddenly didn’t work then you’re up to losing them. This is the reason why you need to keep a copy of all your sensitive files in a safe place like the OneDrive online storage offered for free by Microsoft. To learn more about the OneDrive cloud storage service, you can read our tutorial series that describes how it works and how you can take advantage of it.

As you can see, dealing with a virus and removing them from your computer is not that easy but it’s not that hard either. All you need to do is to get familiar with the tools and processes that I have pointed out here so you can deal with the problem accordingly. Want to learn more about the Windows operating system? Just stay tuned in with us here on windowstechies.loc to get the latest and the hottest tips, tricks and news about Microsoft’s flagship operating system.