Clear, practical technology insights BSOD Code Lookup · Windows Error Code Lookup · Wi-Fi Troubleshooting · PC Troubleshooting Checklist
TipsMake

How to Clean a Computer of Malware

Learn how to clean a computer of malware with clear steps, practical context, and useful troubleshooting guidance.

Table of Contents

This updated guide examines How to Clean a Computer of Malware and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Responsible-use note: Apply security techniques only to systems you own or are explicitly authorized to test.

Method 1

Scanning for Malware on Windows

  1. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 1 Open StartHow to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 2. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  2. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 3 Open SettingsHow to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 4. Click the gear-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the Start window.
  3. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 5 ClickHow to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 6Update & Security. This icon resembles a circle made of two arrows.
  4. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 7 ClickWindows Defender. It's a tab in the upper-left side of the window.
  5. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 8 ClickOpen Windows Defender Security Center. This button is at the top of the window. Clicking it opens the Windows Defender program, which is the Windows built-in antivirus software.
    • Windows Defender is the recommended antivirus software for Windows computers. Using any other software in conjunction with Defender may cause problems such as an inability to shut down.
  6. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 9 Click?. It's in the top-left corner of the Windows Defender window. A pop-out menu will appear.
  7. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 10 ClickVirus & threat protection. You'll see this in the pop-out menu.
  8. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 11 ClickAdvanced scan. It's a link just below the Quick scan button.
  9. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 12 Check theFull scanoption. This is at the top of the window.
    • If you're encountering malware issues and this scan doesn't solve them, you can try using the Offline scan option on this page to perform a deeper, file-based scan.
  10. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 13 ClickScan now. It's in the middle of the page. Windows Defender will begin scanning your computer for infected files.
  11. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 14 Wait for results. Windows Defender will alert you if it comes across viruses or other instances of Malware, at which point you'll be able to indicate that you want Defender to remove the malware in question.
    • A malware scan can take several hours to complete.

Method 2

Scanning for Malware on Mac

  1. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 15 Download Malwarebytes. Go to https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac-download/ in your browser to prompt Malwarebytes to begin downloading. Macs don't come with a built-in antivirus program, so Malwarebytes is your best bet.
    • Although Malwarebytes offers a paid premium version with real-time protection, you can use the free version to scan your computer and remove viruses or malware at anytime.
  2. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 16 Open FinderHow to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 17. If your Mac's Finder program isn't already open, click the blue, face-like app icon in the Dock to open it.
  3. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 18 Find and double-click the Malwarebytes DMG file. You'll most likely find it in the Downloads folder that's on the left side of the Finder window. The DMG file will either open or result in an error message.
  4. Verify the software installation. You'll need to do this if you receive an error message when attempting to open Malwarebytes.
    • If Malwarebytes is recognized as a signed developer on your Mac, you won't have this step.
  5. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 19 Double-click the "Malwarebytes 3" file. This file resembles a white box with a dark-blue Malwarebytes logo on it. Doing so will open the setup window.
  6. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 20 Set up Malware bytes. Navigate through the setup by doing the following:
    • Click Continue
    • Click Agree
    • Click Install
    • Enter your username and password.
    • Click Install Software
    • Click Close when prompted.
  7. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 21 Open Malwarebytes. Click SpotlightHow to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 22, typemalwarebytesinto Spotlight, and click the Malwarebytes result at the top of the search results.
  8. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 23 Click theDashboardtab. It's in the upper-left corner of the Malwarebytes window.
  9. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 24 ClickScan Now. This button is at the bottom of the window. Doing so will prompt Malwarebytes to begin scanning your Mac for malicious software.
  10. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 25 Click theScantab. You'll find it on the left side of the window.
  11. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 26 ClickConfirmwhen prompted. It's at the bottom of the Malwarebytes window. If any malicious programs are found, Malwarebytes will immediately quarantine those files on your Mac so they will no longer harm your computer.

Method 3

Reinstalling Windows

  1. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 27 Back up any files that you want to save. Since you'll be erasing your computer's hard drive and then reinstalling Windows onto it, make sure that any files which you want to save are backed up onto an external hard drive (or cloud storage).
    • Keep in mind that malware often attaches itself to files or programs. If you suspect that a program that you downloaded is the reason for an infection, do not back that file up to your external hard drive.
  2. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 28 Open StartHow to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 29. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  3. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 30 Open SettingsHow to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 31. Click the gear-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the window.
  4. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 32 ClickHow to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 33Update & Security. It's an icon that resembles a circle made up of arrows.
  5. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 34 Click theRecoverytab. You'll find this tab on the left side of the window.
  6. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 35 ClickGet started. It's a button below the "Reset this PC" heading at the top of the page. A pop-up window will appear.
  7. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 36 ClickRemove everything. This option is at the bottom of the pop-up window.
  8. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 37 ClickRemove files and clean the drive. It's at the bottom of the pop-up window.
  9. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 38 ClickResetwhen prompted. Doing so will allow your computer to begin erasing and reinstalling Windows.
    • This process can take several hours, so make sure that your computer is plugged into a reliable power source.
  10. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 39 Set up your computer. This will generally consist of selecting a region, a language, a timezone, and your Microsoft email address.

Method 4

Reinstalling macOS

  1. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 40 Back up any files that you want to save. Since you'll be erasing your computer's hard drive and then reinstalling macOS onto it, make sure that any files which you want to save are backed up onto an external hard drive (or cloud storage).
    • Keep in mind that malware often attaches itself to files or programs. If you suspect that a program that you downloaded is the reason for an infection, do not back that file up to your external hard drive.
  2. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 41 Begin restarting your Mac. Click the Apple menu How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 42, click Restart... in the resulting drop-down menu, and click Restart when prompted.
  3. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 43 Hold down?Option+?Command+R. Do so immediately after clicking Restart , and don't stop holding down these keys until the Apple logo appears.
  4. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 44 Wait for the Apple logo to appear. This may take between 10 and 20 seconds.
    • For some computers, you'll see a spinning globe appear instead.
  5. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 45 Release?Option+?Command+R. Once you see the Apple logo appear, you can release the keys. The setup window will appear after a few seconds.
  6. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 46 ClickDisk Utility. It's in the setup window.
  7. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 47 ClickContinue. You'll see this button in the bottom-right corner of the setup window.
  8. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 48 Select your Mac's hard drive. On the left side of the window, click the Mac's hard drive.
  9. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 49 ClickErase. This tab is at the top of the Disk Utility window. A pop-up window will appear.
  10. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 50 Select a format. Click the "Format" drop-down box, then click Mac OS Extended (Journaled) in the resulting drop-down menu.[1]XResearch source
  11. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 51 ClickErase. It's at the bottom of the window. This will prompt your hard drive to begin erasing everything on it, including any leftover malware.
  12. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 52 Wait for your hard drive to finish erasing. This can take several minutes to an hour or more, so just make sure that your Mac is connected to a reliable power source. Once the hard drive finishes erasing, you'll be taken back to the setup page.
  13. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 53 ClickReinstall macOS. It's in the middle of the setup window.
  14. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 54 ClickContinue. This is in the bottom-right corner of the window.
  15. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 55 Follow the setup prompts. You'll most likely be asked to enter your Apple ID and select a disk (e.g., your Mac's hard drive) for installation.
  16. How to Clean a Computer of Malware — contextual image 56 ClickInstallwhen prompted. Doing so will allow your Mac to begin installing a fresh copy of the most recent version of macOS.
    • You'll have to set up your Mac's preferences once the installation is complete.

FAQ

What is How to Clean a Computer of Malware about?

It provides a structured overview of click, explains the main context, and highlights practical takeaways for readers.

Why does this topic matter?

Understanding the main concepts helps readers evaluate the issue, avoid common mistakes, and make better-informed decisions.

How should readers use this information?

Use the guidance as a practical starting point, confirm details that may have changed, and follow current product, safety, or security recommendations.

Discussion

Reader Comments 0

Sign in with email or Google to join the discussion.

Download the Malware Removal Tool and Clean up Malware Hunter PRODownload the Malware Removal Tool and Clean up Malware Hunter PRO4 minutes readHow to Clean Your Computer SystemHow to Clean Your Computer System18 minutes readIs It Better to Clean, Isolate or Delete Viruses in Malicious Files?Is It Better to Clean, Isolate or Delete Viruses in Malicious Files?9 minutes readHow Many Types of Malware Do You Know and How to Prevent Them?How Many Types of Malware Do You Know and How to Prevent Them?16 minutes readOpening a Dangerous Malware Store Can Clean up Your Bank Account on the Black WebOpening a Dangerous Malware Store Can Clean up Your Bank Account on the Black Web5 minutes readWhat Is Malware: What Is Safe Malware? Why Is It So Dangerous?What Is Malware: What Is Safe Malware? Why Is It So Dangerous?8 minutes read