How to Remove a Virus Without Using Antivirus Software

As dangerous as a virus is to your Computer, deleting it by yourself can be even more dangerous. Removing a virus without the help of antivirus software is possible but risky. It should only be done by someone who can recognize which files are needed for the computer and which are part of the virus. You must delete all the files and registry keys associated with the virus to get rid of it. You might not be able to delete some of them without altering them. Your computer's Command Prompt can help you do this task.

Instructions

1. Go to the "Run" command in the "Start" menu and input "cmd" in the text box. This brings up the command prompt in a DOS window.
   
   
2. Switch the Command Prompt to the drive infected with the virus by inputting it (the drive letter followed by a colon). Type in "attrib -s -h *.* /s /d" and press "Enter" once the prompt is reading the correct drive.
   
   
3. Bring up the drive's content directory by inputting the "dir" command. Look for any .exe files that are suspicious. Anything accompanied by a .inf or .dll file is a big red flag.
   
   
4. Rename the files that activate the virus--the ones that are attached to the .exe file. Type in "Rename" followed by the full file name followed by any harmless name you create. You can now access the drive without activating the virus.
   
   
5. Go to the drive folder where all the virus files are located. They are usually within the "Program Files" folder. Delete every one of them and clear out your recycling bin.
   
   
6. Open the registry editor by inputting "regedit" in the Run window. Search for the virus' registry keys, which are often within the folders with "HKEY" in the name. Delete all the registry keys associated with the virus.
   
   
7. Reboot the system once all the virus files and keys are removed.
   
   
   
   
   

   Tips & Warnings

   • Create a backup copy of your registry and save any important data to a disk or external hard drive before editing anything in the registry. Deleting the wrong key can seriously harm your computer.