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The Daily Insight

How can I remove virus from my computer without losing data?

Author

Emma Newman

Updated on March 11, 2026

Remove virus from pen drive without losing data
  1. In Start Menu -> Click RUN -> type cmd to open the command prompt.
  2. Now, type your Flash Drive Letter (for example J) followed with colon i.e. J:
  3. Type attrib -r -a -s -h *. * and press enter.

Similarly, how do I remove a virus from my memory stick?

How to Get Rid of a Virus on Your USB Devices

  1. Virus Removal Steps.
  2. Step 1: Plug the USB into a Computer.
  3. Step 2: Run the Command Prompt.
  4. Step 3: Find the Drive in the Command Prompt.
  5. Step 4: Find Out What the Virus is.
  6. Step 5: Disable the Infected Files.
  7. Step 6: Delete the Files.
  8. Step 7: Scan the USB with an Anti-Virus.

Furthermore, will resetting PC remove virus? Running a factory reset, also referred to as a Windows Reset or reformat and reinstall, will destroy all data stored on the computer's hard drive and all but the most complex viruses with it. Viruses can't damage the computer itself and factory resets clear out where viruses hide.

Similarly, how do I remove all viruses from my computer?

Removing a computer virus from a PC

  1. Step 1: Download and install a virus scanner.
  2. Step 2: Disconnect from internet.
  3. Step 3: Reboot your computer into safe mode.
  4. Step 4: Delete any temporary files.
  5. Step 5: Run a virus scan.
  6. Step 6: Delete or quarantine the virus.
  7. Step 7: Reboot your computer.
  8. Step 8: Change all your passwords.

How do I remove a virus from Windows 10 without antivirus?

How to Remove a Virus From Windows 10 Without Antivirus Software

  1. Look for any newly installed software.
  2. Check the Task Manager for any suspicious or unfamiliar services.
  3. Check for any unusual apps in your Startup.
  4. Check for unknown processes.
  5. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
  6. Open the drive.

Related Question Answers

Will formatting USB drive Remove virus?

After removing the virus from the drive, if there are no important files on your USB drive, you can choose to format your USB drive. Formatting your USB drive will remove all existing content from the USB drive, including personal data, viruses or malware, providing you with a clean, virus-free device.

What is a Trojan on a computer?

In computing, a Trojan horse, or Trojan, is any malware which misleads users of its true intent. Unlike computer viruses and worms, Trojans generally do not attempt to inject themselves into other files or otherwise propagate themselves.

How do I know if my USB has a virus?

With the USB drive plugged in, open My Computer. Right-click on the USB icon, then left-click Scan for viruses from the drop-down menu. When the Shell Scanner starts, ensure include subdirectory is ticked, and click the green start button (circled below).

Can you get a virus from plugging in a USB?

An infected computer can spread a virus to a clean USB thumb drive that is inserted. That USB drive will then be spreading the virus onto other computers if the operating system on those machines has an AutoRun-type feature enabled.

How do you put a virus on a flash drive?

General Anti-Virus Software
  1. Download the anti-virus software onto a clean computer.
  2. Insert your flash drive into the clean computer.
  3. Double-click the executable file of the anti-virus software to run the installation wizard.
  4. Choose the location of the flash drive as the place where you want to install the software.

How do I get rid of trojan virus?

What to do if You Get a Trojan Virus Tips
  1. Step 1: Identify the Trojan. After recognizing a file infected with Trojan horse, it becomes easy to remove.
  2. Step 2: Disable the function of System restore.
  3. Step 3: Restart the Computer.
  4. Step 4: Go to Add or Remove Programs.
  5. Step 5: Remove extensions.

How do you delete files in USB that Cannot be deleted?

Method 1. Delete the file/folder with Command Prompt
  1. Press the "Windows key + R" and type cmd to open the Command Prompt or just search for Command Prompt at the start.
  2. In the Command Prompt, enter del and location of folder or file you want to delete, and press "Enter" (for example del c:usersJohnDoeDesktop ext.

How can I detect a virus on my computer?

The status of your antivirus software is typically displayed in Action Center.
  1. Open Action Center by clicking the Start button.
  2. Click the arrow button next to Security to expand the section.
  3. If Windows can detect your antivirus software, it will be listed under Virus protection.
  4. Click Update now.

How do you know if you have a virus on your computer?

13+ Warning Signs that Your Computer is Malware-Infected [Updated 2019]
  1. Your computer is slowing down.
  2. Annoying ads are displayed.
  3. Crashes.
  4. Pop-up messages.
  5. Internet traffic suspiciously increases.
  6. Your browser homepage changed without your input.
  7. Unusual messages show unexpectedly.
  8. Your security solution is disabled.

How do I run a virus scan on my laptop?

Computer Viruses For Dummies
  1. Double-click or right-click the Antivirus System Tray icon; navigate to scan, and go!
  2. In Windows Explorer, right-click a file or directory and select Scan.

How do I clear a virus from my phone?

How to remove a virus from an Android phone
  1. Step 2: Open the app and tap the Scan button.
  2. Step 3: Wait while the app scans and checks your apps and files for any malicious software.
  3. Step 1: Go into Safe Mode.
  4. Step 2: Identify the malicious app.
  5. Step 3: Uninstall the malicious app.
  6. Step 4: Remove administrator access.

Will resetting Windows 10 remove viruses?

If you reset Windows 10, it may or may not remove viruses or malware - including any remote access backdoors.

How do I fix my antivirus on my computer?

If you don't see the program that you need to uninstall in the list below, follow these steps to remove your program:
  1. Start your computer in Safe mode.
  2. Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard, type appwiz. cpl and then click OK.
  3. Select the program you want to remove from the list and click Uninstall/Remove.

Is factory reset bad for your computer?

It doesn't do anything that doesn't happen during normal computer use, although the process of copying the image and configuring the OS at first boot will cause more stress than most users put on their machines. So: No, “constant factory resets” are not “normal wear and tear” A factory reset doesn't do anyth

Does a factory reset delete everything?

Factory Reset does NOT delete all data When you factory reset your Android phone, even though your phone system becomes factory new, but some of the old Personal information is not deleted. This information is actually “marked as deleted” and hidden so you can't see it at a glance.

Will resetting my PC speed it up?

After resetting Pc it will run faster but as you will install applications, copy some files to hard-drive its performance will decrease. It can, yes. If your computer has been on for a few days programs that have run may not have exited system RAM fully.

Can a virus permanently damage your computer?

Can a virus damage computer hardware? No. Computer viruses are software code designed to spread to computer files and other computers, delete files, and cause other problems with the data on the computer. If this were to occur, it may prevent the device from working, but it would not physically damage the hardware.

How long will it take to reset my PC?

Reset all of the operating system and/or programs installed on the computer back to what it was originally. This re-installs the operating system. It could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the OS, the hardware, what additional programs get installed, etc.

Will a factory reset remove spyware?

It involves resetting your phone back to factory settings, often termed a factory reset. In virtually all mobile operating systems, this can be found in the device's settings. Unfortunately, while it will get rid of the spyware, it will also remove everything else on your device.

Does resetting PC remove drivers?

Windows 10 Reset: Remove everything Reinstalls Windows 10 and removes all your personal files. Removes apps and drivers you installed. Removes changes you made to settings. Removes any apps your PC manufacturer installed.

Can you get a virus on Windows 10?

Though Windows 10 comes with built-in antivirus and anti-malware tool (Windows Defender), it might not be able to protect your web browsing activities and malicious links. You might accidentally click on a malicious link that downloads malware or adware onto your computer.

How do I remove a Trojan virus from my computer?

Restart you computer: when you restart, press F8 and then select safe mode to start your computer. Go to Add or Remove Programs: You will find this in the control panel, and then remove the programs affected with Trojan horse.

How can I remove a virus from my laptop Windows 7 without antivirus?

Part 1. Remove Virus from PC or Laptop Without Antivirus
  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to open Task Manager.
  2. On the Processes tab, check each running process listed in the window and select any unfamiliar processing programs, search online to confirm.
  3. Open System Configuration or Task Manager, go to the Startup tab.

How do I check for viruses on Windows 10?

On Windows 10, open your Start menu, type “Security,” and click the “Windows Security” shortcut to open it. You can also head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Open Windows Security. To perform an anti-malware scan, click “Virus & threat protection.”