The only effective way of removing computer viruses, malware and adware from your PC, Computer or Laptop is to use a clean “boot-disk” that examines each file on your machine without starting your operating system (such as Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8). The boot-disk needs to be downloaded and then installed on a CD, DVD or USB memory stick or flash-drive and you need to create these from a reliable and secure source. The IT Guys like many other computer professionals rely on the “AVG Rescue CD” which can be downloaded and installed on a CD/DVD or USB stick for free. Full instructions on how to do this can be found on the AVG site here . or see the videos below: How to create a bootable AVG Rescue CD/USB | AVG Tutorial AVG Tutorial | How to remove infection from PCs using AVG Rescue How to remove the remaining 1% of computer viruses, malware and adware for FREE Some viruses and trojans resist even the attentions of the boot disk… and in this case the only way of removing them is to delete them using the utilities available in the AVG Rescue disk. 1) Manually Remove Malware not automatically healed You will need to know which files require deletion. Sometimes the virus scan report will show the exact path to the virus but most often it is best to delete the whole folder (taking care to ensure it is not a system folder used by the operating system) The following example has been witnessed in more than one PC we have fixed recently. In the above example a whole folder with the path “/Program Files (x86)/TOSHIBA Games/” contained many “Win32/Heur.dropper” threats (Win/Heur is a malicious software that once it is executed has the capability of replicating itself and infect other files and program. It can also corrupt or delete data, erase your hard drive, steal personal information, hijack your screen and spam your contacts) In the utilities section of the AVG Rescue disk is a file manager utility called “Midnight Commander” use this to identify the folder that required removing and delete the necessary file or folder. 2) Install all Windows updates This may seem obvious but without knowing it, viruses on your computer may have been blocking windows updates for many weeks, days or months. Manually run an update by going into the control panel or the windows action center and manually running a windows update. This may mean restarting your computer several times. The dialogue differs between each windows version (Windows 7 example below) You will also need to examine the windows update history. If any updates have “failed” they will need to be manually installed possibly by downloading a special “fix” 3) Remove all unnecessary installed programs In windows control-panel search on “uninstall” and then review all the programs listed as installed. Especially the newer ones. If you find any that are not signed by Microsoft or your Computers Manufacturer and you suspect them as possibly being malicious, then “uninstall them” 4) Clean up your browser add-ons and toolbars Internet browsers are a main source of viruses and malware Cleanup your add-ons, extension and remove all unnecessary search engines, toolbars and applications. You will speed up your internet browsing and stop those annoying popups, spyware and shopping alerts. 5) Clean up your start-up programs Loading 3,4 or 10 programs automatically at windows start-up can take many minutes and seem like your computer is broken or has a virus. It could just need some tidying up. At the command prompt or “Run” open up the command window and type “MSCONFIG” Here you can remove any unnecessary startup programs. 6) Clean up your browser short-cuts Some viruses corrupt your browser short cuts. If you cannot get rid of change the way your browser starts up, it maybe due to a corrupt browser short cut. Remove all shortcuts and re-create from the original program file. 7) Clean up your computers registry Use a free registry cleaner such as “CCleaner” to cleanup your registry entries. Can I purchase the AVG Rescue CD instead of having to create it myself? Yes, please click on the link here. 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