How do I remove a virus from my laptop without paying for antivirus

Viruses and malware can severely impact your laptop’s performance, compromise your data, and even allow unauthorized access to your system. If you suspect that your laptop is infected but do not want to pay for antivirus software, there are several effective manual methods to remove the virus and restore system integrity. This guide will walk you through a detailed, technical approach to removing malware without cost.

1. Boot Your Laptop into Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode in Windows and macOS that only loads essential system files, preventing most viruses from executing. This can make it easier to detect and remove malicious software.

For Windows Users:

1. Restart your laptop and press Shift while clicking Restart.

2. In the blue screen that appears, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.

3. Click Restart.

4. Once the system reboots, press 4 (Enable Safe Mode) or 5 (Enable Safe Mode with Networking) to access Safe Mode with internet access.

For macOS Users:

1. Restart your Mac and hold the Shift key as soon as the Apple logo appears.

2. Release the Shift key when you see the login screen.

3. Log in, and macOS will now operate in Safe Mode, reducing the chances of malware running in the background.

By booting into Safe Mode, the virus has a lower chance of activating, making the next steps more effective.

2. Delete Temporary Files and Cached Data

Viruses often hide in temporary files and cache folders. Removing these files can eliminate some malware and free up system resources.

For Windows:

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R.

2. Type %temp% and press Enter.

3. A folder containing temporary files will open. Select all files (Ctrl + A) and delete them.

4. Also, delete files from C:\Windows\Temp by opening Run again and typing C:\Windows\Temp.

For macOS:

1. Open Finder, then click Go > Go to Folder.

2. Type ~/Library/Caches/ and delete suspicious cache files.

3. Empty the Trash to permanently remove the deleted files.

3. Identify and Uninstall Suspicious Programs

Malware often installs itself as an application running in the background. Reviewing your installed programs can help identify suspicious software.

For Windows:

1. Open Control Panel and navigate to Programs and Features.

2. Sort programs by Installation Date and look for unfamiliar or suspicious software.

3. If you find anything suspicious, right-click on it and select Uninstall.

For macOS:

1. Open Finder and go to Applications.

2. Look for any software that you did not install intentionally.

3. Drag any questionable applications to the Trash, then empty the Trash.

4. Scan for Malware Using Built-in or Free Tools

Even without a paid antivirus, you can use built-in security tools or free third-party malware scanners.

Windows Defender (Built-in Security Tool):

Windows 10 and 11 come with Microsoft Defender, which is a highly effective built-in antivirus tool.

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security.

2. Click Virus & threat protection > Quick Scan.

3. For a more thorough check, choose Full Scan.

Free Third-Party Malware Removal Tools:

• Malwarebytes Free (Download) – A powerful on-demand malware scanner.

• Microsoft Safety Scanner (Download) – A free tool for detecting and removing malware.

Download and run one of these scanners to remove detected threats.

5. End Malicious Processes in Task Manager (Windows Only)

If a virus is actively running in the background, you can manually terminate the process using Task Manager.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

2. Go to the Processes tab and look for suspicious programs using high CPU or memory.

3. If you find anything unfamiliar, right-click it and select End Task.

4. Note the program’s file location and manually delete its files from your system.

6. Reset Your Web Browser to Remove Malware Extensions

Some malware hijacks your browser by installing malicious extensions or altering browser settings.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Open Chrome and go to Settings.

2. Scroll down to Reset settings and click Restore settings to their original defaults.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Type about:support in the address bar.

2. Click Refresh Firefox to reset all settings.

Reset Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Edge, go to Settings > Reset settings.

2. Click Restore settings to their default values.

7. Check and Edit the Hosts File

Some viruses modify the hosts file to redirect websites to malicious IPs.

For Windows:

1. Open Notepad as Administrator.

2. Click File > Open, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc, and open hosts.

3. If you see strange IP addresses mapped to legitimate domains (e.g., google.com mapped to an unknown IP), remove those lines.

4. Save the file and restart your computer.

8. Disable Suspicious Startup Programs

Some viruses automatically start when your computer boots up. Disabling them can help prevent reinfection.

1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

2. Go to the Startup tab.

3. Disable any unknown or suspicious programs.

9. Restore Your System to a Previous State

If you suspect that malware was recently installed, you can restore Windows to a state before the infection.

1. Type rstrui in the Run dialog box (Win + R).

2. Select a restore point from a date before the infection.

3. Follow the prompts to restore your system.

10. Perform a Clean Windows Reinstall (Last Resort)

If all else fails, the best way to completely remove malware is to backup your important files and perform a clean installation of Windows.

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.

2. Click Reset this PC > Remove everything.

3. Follow the instructions to reinstall Windows.

This will wipe all data, including any viruses, and restore your laptop to factory settings.

Removing a virus from your laptop without paying for antivirus software is entirely possible if you follow a structured approach. By booting into Safe Mode, uninstalling suspicious programs, using free malware removal tools, and resetting system settings, you can effectively eliminate most malware threats. However, always keep backups and enable Windows Defender to prevent future infections. If issues persist, consider performing a full system restore or reinstalling Windows.