{"id":34155,"date":"2019-07-20T08:01:58","date_gmt":"2019-07-20T12:01:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helpdeskgeek.com\/?p=34155"},"modified":"2025-03-14T11:21:50","modified_gmt":"2025-03-14T15:21:50","slug":"how-to-remove-malware-completely-with-free-tools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpdeskgeek.com\/how-to-remove-malware-completely-with-free-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Remove Malware Completely With Free Tools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019ve picked up some malware, and you want to know how to remove it, this guide is for you. I will be explaining how you can remove malware completely with free tools and be 100% sure your computer is safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tools I will be suggesting for use in this article are highly recommended. The software suggested has long been known to do a great job at picking up malware that sometimes gets past the typical quick anti-virus scans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t

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Please understand that you should follow each step carefully, and in order. This is a multi-step guide that must be completed from beginning to end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Started With Removing Malware From Your Computer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, it\u2019s time to get the software you will need for this guide. Below, we have provided links and basic descriptions for each free software package I recommend for you to download.
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Rkill<\/a> – A program that will attempt to terminate any known malware processes so that the following anti-malware software can run effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malwarebytes<\/a> – One of the leading options for effectively detecting and removing malware for free on Windows PCs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HitmanPro<\/a> – If Malwarebytes fails to remove malware, HitmanPro is an excellent choice for tracking down malware and removing it too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you have installed the software, you can start with the first step below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Use Rkill To Terminate Malware Processes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once downloaded from the link above, click to open the Rkill.exe <\/strong>file. A new command prompt will open. You can read through the CMD log to see if any processes were terminated. 
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Once the process is complete, you will see a message similar to the one shown above. Once completed, do not reboot your computer. <\/strong>If, for some reason, your PC reboots during this guide, please run Rkill.exe <\/strong>again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Use Malwarebytes 3.0 To Remove Malware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you have used Rkill, open the mb3-setup-consumer.exe <\/strong>that you downloaded from the Malwarebytes website. Run through the installation process. 
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When asked where you are installing Malwarebytes, select Personal computer<\/strong>. It will take a few moments to install. Once finished, click Finish<\/strong> to gain access to the Malwarebytes 3.0 dashboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t

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The Malwarebytes software will open automatically. Click Get started<\/strong>. Next, click settings <\/strong>and click on the Protection tab<\/strong>. From here, click to turn on scan for rootkits.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t

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After that, click Dashboard<\/strong> and then click Scan Now<\/strong>. This process can take some time, so please be patient. Do not let your PC power off during this process. 
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During the process, you can click View Identified Threats<\/strong> at any time if threats have been found. Once the process has finished, click Quarantine Selected<\/strong> to quarantine any found threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Use HitmanPro To Remove More Malware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Malwarebytes 3.0 is very effective at removing malware, but if you want to be extra safe, you should run HitmanPro too. From the HitmanPro link<\/a> we listed before, click 30 day free trial <\/strong>and enter your name and email. You can then click to download the software for your PC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t

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Open the downloaded Hitmanpro_x64.exe<\/strong> file. <\/strong>Once opened, click Next<\/strong>. Accept the terms<\/strong> and click Next <\/strong>again. Click No, I only want to perform a one-time scan to check this computer. <\/strong>Then, click Next<\/strong> again.
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HitmanPro will now scan your computer. HitmanPro will detect malware, tracking cookies, and restore damaged Windows resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t

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Once HitmanPro is complete, you will see an overview of the scan results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Were You Infected? Take These Steps Immediately<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you did get infected, you should use another device immediately to change all of your passwords for all online accounts you have used. It can be a tiring process, but it\u2019s still highly recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After that, consider setting up two factor authentication for the accounts that matter the most to you, and finally, consider purchasing a better anti-virus software. Malwarebytes 3.0<\/a>, Avast<\/a>, and BitDefender<\/a> are all free recommended choices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve picked up some malware, and you want to know how to remove it, this guide is for you. I will be explaining how you can remove malware completely […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":34163,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-34155","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-how-to"},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/helpdeskgeek.com\/wp-content\/pictures\/2019\/07\/bug-4297771_640.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Ollie Green","author_link":"https:\/\/helpdeskgeek.com\/author\/ogreen\/"},"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t