This allows the antivirus to detect rootkits and other normally hidden types of malware, as well as remove malware that would normally try to defend itself. This is all happening outside of Windows - some of these discs are even based on Linux - so the malware won’t be running while this happens. A special antivirus environment will load where your computer can be scanned and repaired. You can then restart your computer and boot from the removable media. These tools can be burned to a CD or DVD or installed onto a USB drive.

RELATED: How to Use An Antivirus Boot Disc or USB Drive to Ensure Your Computer is CleanĪntivirus companies often create boot discs you can use to scan and repair your computer. Restart your computer when you’re done to leave Safe Mode. On the Startup Settings screen, press F4 or 4 to enter Safe Mode or press F5 or 5 to enter Safe Mode with Networking. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. Your computer will restart into a special boot options menu. Press and hold the Shift key as you click the Restart option under the power button. On Windows 8 or later, press Windows Key + I to open the Settings charm pane. Log into your computer, download and install the antivirus software, and run it. Normal Safe Mode offers no Internet access so you’ll have to install an antivirus from a USB drive or other removable media, while Safe Mode with Networking offers Internet access so you can download and update an antivirus from within Safe Mode. Select Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking in the menu that appears. To enter Safe Mode on Windows 7 or earlier, restart your computer and repeatedly tap F8 at the start of the boot-up process. If you already have an antivirus program installed and it’s failing to remove malware - or the malware is returning after it’s removed - you may have to boot into Safe Mode to remove the malware properly.

If malware is running when you boot into Windows normally, it shouldn’t automatically run when you boot into Safe Mode.įrom this minimal environment, you can install an antivirus program, scan for malware, and remove it. In Safe Mode, Windows won’t load third-party startup programs or hardware drivers. Safe Mode isn’t completely outside of Windows, so it may not help you if a malware has deeply infected your system files. RELATED: How to Use Safe Mode to Fix Your Windows PC (and When You Should)

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