A virus, malware, or malicious software could cause your PC to run slowly. Other symptoms include unexpected pop-up messages, programs that unexpectedly start automatically, or the sound of your hard disk constantly working.
The best way to handle viruses and malicious software is to try to prevent them by running antimalware and antivirus software and keeping it up to date. However, even if you take precautions, your PC can still become infected.
You can scan your PC for viruses or other malicious software by using Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender Security Center), which is included in Windows 11 & 10.
Notes:
- If you’re using other antivirus or anti-malware software, see the documentation for that program to learn how to scan for viruses. Also, make sure multiple antivirus programs aren’t running at the same time. If they are, choose the one you want to run, and then disable or uninstall any others.
- If you have another antivirus program installed and turned on, Windows Security will be turned off by default.
How To scan for viruses using Windows Security on Windows 11 & 10 PC?
Before scanning, make sure the latest version of Security intelligence is installed.
To install the latest version of Security intelligence:
- Open the "Windows Security" app.
- In "Windows Security", click on "Virus & threat protection".
- In "Virus & threat protection", under "Virus & threat protection updates" click on "Protection updates" under Virus & threat protection updates.
- And then under "Security intelligence" click on "Check for updates".
After updating Security intelligence, go ahead and scan for viruses & Malware.
To scan for viruses using Windows Security in Windows 11 & 10 PC:
- Open "Windows Security" > "Virus & threat protection".
- Under "Current threats", click on the "Quick scan" button.
Wait for Windows Security to finish scanning for viruses and malware. - Do one of the following, depending on the results of the scan:
Run the recommended advanced scan. This scan takes longer but searches more extensively for threats on your PC.
If Windows Security finds a virus or malware and can’t remove or quarantine it, contact Microsoft Support for help.
If no viruses are found, restart your PC and try to reproduce the performance problem you were having with your PC.
Note: If Windows Security doesn’t open, can’t update the definition file, or can’t finish scanning for viruses, try running Microsoft Defender Offline, which is explained below.
How To scan for malware and viruses with Microsoft Defender Offline on Windows 11 & 10 PC?
To scan for malware and viruses with Microsoft Defender Offline:
- Save any documents or anything else you might have open on your PC.
- Open "Windows Security" > "Virus & threat protection".
- Under "Current threats", click on "Scan options".
- In "Scan options", select "Microsoft Defender Antivirus (Offline scan)".
- And then click on "Scan now".
Your PC will restart, and Microsoft Defender Offline will run and scan for viruses and malware. The scan might take 15 minutes or so, and your PC will restart again after that. - Try to reproduce the performance issue.
Source: Microsoft
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