i have a virus in my computer can you help me

Question

i have a virus in my computer i want to go to setting but computer wont let me if i could ill factory reset start all over can you help me

Answer 1

Hi,

I first suggest running an antivirus scan on your computer using Windows Defender and Microsoft Safety Scanner to see if they can detect and remove the virus:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/safety-scanner-download?view=o365-worldwide

If you still want to reset your computer and you cannot do it through Settings, try accessing the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and reset your PC from there:

1. Press the Windows key + L to go to the sign-in screen.
2. Press and hold the Shift key, then click the Power icon and select Restart while continuing to hold the Shift key.
3. This will take you to the recovery menu.
4. Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

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If it still fails, as a last resort, you can perform a clean installation of Windows. Be sure to back up all your important files first, as this process will erase everything on your drive.

Answer 2

If Settings will not open and the PC appears infected, use this order:

1. Run a malware scan first.
   • Microsoft recommends running the Microsoft Safety Scanner if infection is suspected.
   • If the malware is the PC Repair variant, Microsoft’s documented removal method is to download Microsoft Safety Scanner, restart into Safe Mode, and run a Quick Scan.
2. If malware has caused irreversible changes, reset the PC.
   • Back up any files and settings that must be kept before resetting.
   • Restore files later from backups created before the infection and stored externally, because backups on the PC during infection may also be affected.
3. If Windows still works enough to sign in, reset from Windows:
   • Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery
   • Under Reset this PC, select Get started
   • Choose Keep my files or Remove everything
   • Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall
   • Follow the on-screen steps
4. If Settings cannot be opened, reset from Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) instead.
   • Access Windows RE
   • Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > System Restore
   • Choose the reset options and continue
   • If the device is encrypted, the BitLocker recovery key is required
5. Choose the reset option carefully.
   • Keep my files reinstalls Windows and keeps personal files, but removes apps and settings.
   • Remove everything reinstalls Windows and removes personal files, apps, and settings.
   • If planning to give away or sell the PC, use Remove everything with Clean data. This is more thorough, but it takes longer.

Important:

• During reset, the screen can stay black for a long time, sometimes more than 15 minutes.
• Do not manually restart the PC during reset, because that can cause the reset to fail.
• If malware is strongly suspected, Microsoft states that using installation media to reinstall Windows will remove malware.

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• Microsoft resources and guidance for removal of malware and viruses
• How to remove the PC Repair virus
• Troubleshoot problems with detecting and removing malware
• Reset your PC
• Recovery options in Windows