Can you transfer a virus to/from a USB by simply plugging it in?

Hi 1. I'm Greg, an Independent Advisor, here to help you until the problems are fixed.

No, the virus would have to travel in a file or folder.

You can right click Scan the flash stick with Malwarebytes, after enabling Root Kit scanning in it's Scan Settings. But to be most thorough I'd do the whole PC following this regimen:

Download, install and run a full scan with the most powerful on-demand free scanner Malwarebytes:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/ Make sure to only choose the Free version.

In the Malwarebytes Settings (gear icon) > Security tab set it to include scanning for Rootkits.

If necessary run it in Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

Clean up anything found, restart PC and then run again until it comes up clean.

Then download, install and run a full scan with AdwCleaner:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcle...

Remove whatever it finds.

Check for anything it finds but is still left over in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, and C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files(86) to uninstall or delete them. I can guide you how to do this if there are problems.

Also in each of your browser's Extensions, Home Page settings, Search service or Add-On's as shown here: https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001411.htm

to disable anything you didn't add yourself and are sure you need. Ask back if in doubt.

Then check for damaged System files by running System File Checker from Step 10 in this checklist:

Windows 10 Performance and Install Integrity Checklist - Microsoft Community

If completing all of Step 10 in above Checklist doesn't fix it then run a Repair Install which reinstalls WIndows while keeping your files, programs and most settings in place, by installing the Media Creation Tool from this link: Download Windows 10, open the tool and choose Upgrade This PC Now. This will solve most problems and also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method.

If you want to keep Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner then you can turn off its Real Time trial version using the slider buttons on it's front panel.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let me know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

malware can be transferred to a usb drive if the malware has spreading code

Yes, the steps I gave will check as deep as it can go if and to what extent you have infection. Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.

Oh so it's possible that a virus can persist after windows reinstall without being a rootkit or a bios infection? I was under the impression that if it was still persisting after reinstall it had to be a rootkit or bios infection. Are rootkits and bios infections the same thing? I will try these steps just curious to know.

You would not flash the BIOS for any virus unless it had infected the BIOS which I've never even seen in forums every day for twelve years.

If you have an infection that the protocol I gave you above does not clean up following the steps precisely, then the only reason to reinstall Windows is to wipe the drive with Clean Command to get at boot and partition table code that is not removed by deleting all partitions. Unless you do one of those two, it's not a Clean Install anyway.

Go ahead and work through the steps I gave and report back the results so we'll know without having to guess what level of infection there is now.

I'll be here for about another two hours and then back in the late morning Boston time.