[Notebook] Protecting the Computer in Windows OS: Detecting and Removing Viruses and Malware
- How to Know if the Computer is Infected
- Ensure Antivirus Software is Enabled
- Keep the Antivirus Software and Windows Updated
- Run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT)
How to Know if the Computer is Infected
If you notice any of the following issues, your computer may be affected by malware or a virus, and immediate action is required:
- Abnormally long startup times to reach the Windows desktop.
- The browser homepage has been changed and cannot be reset.
- The computer runs slowly, with the processor usage always at or near 100%.
- Unknown icons appear on the desktop.
- Unknown software has been installed on the computer.
Ensure Antivirus Software is Enabled
Check if your computer has security software installed. MSI notebooks come with a 30-day free trial of Norton. You can check the system tray at the bottom right corner of the screen for the Norton security icon to ensure Norton is enabled. If you do not have or do not wish to purchase antivirus software, please refer to the Microsoft article Turn Microsoft Defender Firewall on or off to make sure your Windows Defender firewall is always enabled.
Keep the Antivirus Software and Windows Updated
Microsoft regularly provides security updates to ensure that the latest viruses or malware can be recognized and prevented. Be sure to keep both your antivirus software and Windows up to date.
For Windows updates, please refer to [Notebook] How to Update the Windows Operating System?
Run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT)
- Go to the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool download page.
- Click "Download" to start downloading the tool.
- Click "Run" to download and run the tool.
- Choose "Quick Scan," "Full Scan," or "Custom Scan."
Quick Scan will scan the most likely infected areas. A full scan is recommended if malware is found, it will scan the entire computer and may take several hours.
Custom Scan allows you to scan specific locations. - Wait for the scan to complete and review the results. If viruses or other issues are detected, the tool will prompt you to remove the malware from the affected files. Click "View detailed results of the scan" to see a list of the malicious code detected by the tool, then click "Finish" to close the program.
Reference Information and Related Articles
Turn Microsoft Defender Firewall on or off
[Notebook] How to Update the Windows Operating System?