I recently experienced a hack, and after disconnecting from the internet, I attempted a full scan with Windows Defender. However, it only scans about 12,000 files before the scan ends abruptly, taking just 10 seconds. What could be causing this issue?
5 Answers
You can also create a bootable USB drive with antivirus or rescue programs using tools like Rufus or Ventoy. Then, boot your affected machine from that drive to scan your disk or partition directly. It’s a solid way to tackle tough issues.
I'd recommend checking your exclusions in Windows Defender. If the virus has marked itself as an exception, it won't get flagged during scans. Some users find it hard to remove those entries, so if you're stuck, you might end up having to reinstall Windows.
Hirens BootCD is still a viable option for those stuck with tricky malware. It's useful for a range of recovery tasks, including virus scans.
Have you thought about doing an "offline" scan? It can help detect and remove stubborn malware that might not show up during a regular scan. Give it a try!
If all else fails, consider reinstalling your system from a USB drive. It might feel drastic, but if you're dealing with a tough virus, a clean start could be the best way to go.

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