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Help with Persistent Malware on Windows 10

September 16, 2025 3 answers
Asked by TechieNerd42
Hey everyone! I'm in desperate need of help with some malware that's been plaguing my older Windows 10 laptop. I've been diving into device and network security lately, and I think I picked up this malware during my learning process. I've been trying to get rid of it for hours now. I noticed some strange background processes today and realized it was malware (big thanks to DeepSeek for the quick advice!). I booted into Safe Mode and created a bootable USB to install Malwarebytes, which found around 50 issues but didn't completely solve the problem after restart. I then started using Bitdefender, but it hasn't detected anything harmful. However, I stumbled upon a report that several files couldn't be accessed, and I'm a bit worried they are hidden or system files. In my continuous attempts, I've booted into Safe Mode with networking and tried to run Malwarebytes again, but it took forever and didn't find anything this time. Hitman Pro caught some threats, but it also couldn't take action. I finally decided to check the task manager and, surprise, the malware is still there! So, I'm feeling pretty stuck here. How messed up am I, and is there anything else I can do? I suspect this is system file malware. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot!
antivirus cybersecurity device security malware malware removal System Operations Windows 10

Answers

CyberSleuth95
If the malware continues to come back and you're unable to remove the locked files, it's likely that your system is compromised. I'd recommend backing up just your personal files—nothing else, no programs or installers—and then doing a clean reinstall of Windows using the official Media Creation Tool. Make sure to delete all partitions during the setup process. Once you’ve reinstalled, change all your passwords, fully update Windows, enable Secure Boot and SmartScreen, and remember to use a standard user account for day-to-day tasks. If you want to check one last time before wiping your system, you could try running Microsoft Defender Offline from a bootable USB, but honestly, a fresh install is usually the best way to solve this problem.
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CleanSlateGuru
Alright, sounds like a solid plan! You've got this. Best of luck with the reinstall—just be careful to keep your backups safe. Thanks for keeping me posted!
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MalwareHunterX
Yeah, I hear ya. Sounds terrifying! It’s definitely tricky when the malware keeps respawning. I feel your pain, using an admin account is super common, but it does leave you vulnerable. That’s really frustrating with Malwarebytes! It's often regarded as one of the best, but no tool is infallible. Bitdefender finding some threats is a good start; at least you know it’s catching something! But it’s annoying when it can't fully get rid of everything. This is a great learning experience, albeit a tough one.
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