I have a Windows 11 PC and I think I might have downloaded some malware. It seems like my Gmail account got hacked too, and now I can't access it. I've noticed a .cmd file constantly running in the background, which I tracked down to a single application in the System32 folder. I tried removing it with Malwarebytes, but it keeps coming back. I attempted a factory reset, but now my keyboard disconnects whenever I try, and I'm stuck on a blue screen that says 'Automatic Repair'. I have a USB with a Windows 11 bootable installer ready, but I'm not sure how to proceed since my keyboard is acting up. Any advice?
3 Answers
If your keyboard isn’t functioning, try connecting a different one if possible, or using a USB keyboard. Restart your PC and try spamming the ‘Del’ or ‘F2’ key to get into BIOS, which should still work regardless of the malware. From there, you can set it to boot from the USB drive to reinstall Windows fully. Don’t worry, the virus typically only impacts the Windows OS and not the BIOS itself.
Before going for a full reinstall, see if you can boot into Safe Mode. This might allow you to access your system in a limited state and let you remove the malware more effectively. If that fails, then a reinstall is your best bet. Just remember to take all necessary precautions to back up your data first if possible, since you don’t want to carry over any leftover malware.
First off, unplug your internet connection to prevent the malware from spreading further. With the USB installer you have, you can reinstall Windows, but this will erase everything on your PC unless you can manage to back up your files first. If you can still access them, consider transferring your important data to a second USB drive and scanning it for malware with tools like Malwarebytes or Windows Defender before proceeding. It’s crucial to ensure your personal files aren't the source of reinfection.
To activate the USB installer, plug it in and restart your PC. You might need to access the boot menu (usually by pressing F12, F10, or ESC during startup) to select your USB drive for installation. If your keyboard is giving you trouble, you might have a narrow window to do this when it briefly connects.