I recently discovered that there's malware on my computer, and I'm trying to figure out the best option for resetting my PC. I selected 'remove everything' and then chose 'keep drive but remove apps and files.' Is this the right approach, or should I consider another method to ensure my PC is clean?
3 Answers
If you know there's malware on your computer, it's crucial to ensure that you're getting rid of it completely. If your antivirus software flagged or quarantined the malware, make sure to follow up on that. You wouldn’t want to risk it remaining on your system.
The problem with malware is that there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Sometimes you can just remove files, but other times, it might hide deeper in the system. If you choose to keep the drive, make sure to at least do a wipe and reinstall from a USB to be on the safe side. It’s generally cheaper and safer than attempting to clean it.
Yeah, I've seen people try to clean it, and it can be a bit of a gamble. Better safe than sorry!
Keep in mind that malware can vary in its behavior. If it's a nasty one, just removing files might not be enough. A full wipe and reinstall from a USB drive might be the safest way to go, especially if you're unsure about what kind of malware you’re dealing with.
Totally agree! Disconnecting from the internet while reinstalling is a smart move to prevent any potential reinfection.
Yeah, exactly! It’s best to be thorough, especially if you're not sure how deep the infection goes.