I accidentally downloaded and ran some malware, so I'm planning to do a full local reinstall of Windows. I've also changed all my passwords. Will this be enough to completely remove the malware, or is there something else I should do?
3 Answers
If you're reinstalling Windows from a USB, the malware shouldn't survive. But if you're just resetting Windows on the same drive, there's a chance some malware could stick around. It's best to perform a clean installation if you're worried.
Usually, yes! Just to be safe, though, you should run a thorough scan with a good antivirus after the reinstall to check for any lingering threats.
The malware didn't flag as malicious in my scans, but I'm still uncertain. Should I try a specific security software?
Are you resetting your PC or wiping the drive and starting fresh? Wiping the drive should eliminate any malware, but if you're only doing a reset, some could remain.
I selected the option to 'remove everything' in safe mode. Does that count as wiping?
Got it! So, going through a clean installation is the safest route, right?