How to Fix a Windows XP Virus
- 1). Download and install an anti-virus program. Anti-virus programs will safeguard your computer from viruses and will help fix files that are infected by a virus. Top Ten Review has a list of popular anti-virus security programs that will keep your computer safe (see Resources).
- 2). Start your computer in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is a tool that allows you to boot the computer with only essential programs running. It will disable any third-party applications that can potentially trigger the virus and evade your efforts to remove it. Restart the computer. At the start-up screen, click on the "F8" key. A menu will open. Use your arrow keys on your keyboard and navigate to "Safe Mode." Click on the "Enter" key.
- 3). Open your anti-virus program by clicking on the shortcut icon on your desktop. Alternatively, you may also press "Start" on the lower-left corner of your screen. Click on "Programs." Navigate to the anti-virus application and double-click its icon. Allow the program to start a scan on the "C:/" hard drive. The Windows XP system saves integral system files and applications on this hard drive.
- 4). Click on "Start Virus Scanner" or similar wording. The anti-virus program will sift through computer files, detect computer viruses, fix infected files and quarantine threats. Allow the program to complete a virus scan. This process can take a few minutes, or a few hours on a large hard drive partition.
- 5). Remove the viruses. The anti-virus program will compile a list of detected viruses. Click on "Delete" or "Fix." The program will remove and fix files that were adversely affected by the computer virus. Restart your computer and boot normally. You may want to start a second virus scan to ensure that all residual files and registry keys are repaired.
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