Hey everyone, I recently downloaded infostealer malware on my ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 (G733PZ), and some of my online accounts were compromised. I've changed my passwords and enabled two-factor authentication, but I want to completely wipe my system to ensure it's clean. I've read that the best way to do this is to reinstall Windows 11 from a bootable USB. However, I have some concerns since I've never done a USB install before.
Here's what I'm thinking:
1. Create a Windows 11 installation USB using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool on a different PC.
2. Boot my infected laptop from the USB through BIOS.
3. Delete all existing partitions during the installation process and install Windows on the unallocated space.
4. Once installed, run Windows Update and install the official drivers from ASUS for my model including chipset, graphics, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, and audio drivers.
Here are some questions I have:
- Will I need to download the Wi-Fi driver onto another USB beforehand, or does Windows install it automatically?
- After reinstalling, can I get back Dolby Atmos using ASUS drivers and the Dolby Access app from the Microsoft Store?
- I noticed the MyASUS cloud restore feature in WinRE; would that be a better option than a full reinstall?
- Are there any other drivers I need to restore my laptop closer to factory settings?
- Any specific tips for ASUS-related concerns during this process?
I really want to ensure this is a thorough and successful operation, so I appreciate all feedback!
2 Answers
While a full reinstall is the safest route, it’s not always necessary. Many info stealers tend to remove themselves after they’ve done their job. You might want to run a malware scanner like Malwarebytes in safe mode first, as it can potentially clean things up without a complete reinstall. But if you feel more comfortable doing the full reinstall for peace of mind, go for it—just keep the drivers handy!
You’ve got a solid plan laid out! You can definitely put the Wi-Fi driver on the same USB as the Windows installer. It should be accessible once you boot from the USB, so you won’t have to worry about connecting without it. Just grab the latest driver from the ASUS website and load it up on the USB before you start.
I ended up running Malwarebytes too, and it didn’t find any threats. Still doing a full reinstall as I want to be sure. I found out the infostealer I dealt with had a self-deleting mechanism after it took my info, which made me uneasy about keeping the system as is.