Removing Malware that Will Not Uninstall

When malware affects your computer, a myriad of problems crop up. The computer runs slow, programs open or close without you instituting the process, and your browser can be hijacked, meaning that these programs can take over it entirely. These are just a few of the annoyances that can occur when malware finds itself onto your computer. Of course, there are programs that can remove malware from your system, but what must you do when the malware has embedded itself to the point that it cannot be uninstalled?

Using Safe Mode to Remove Malware

Sometimes, when the malware is embedded into your computer's operating system, it cannot be uninstalled while your operating system is up and running. This is because the malware is programmed to continue running in the background, which keeps the program open, and so long as a program is open and running anywhere on the computer, it cannot be uninstalled. When you boot your computer into safe mode, the malware program will not be running in the background, and you can uninstall it through using the control panel, just the same as you'd remove a program.

To boot into safe mode, you'll need to shut your computer down completely, making sure all the power is off. Then, you'll want to turn it back on. When you turn the computer back on, you'll need to tap the f8 key continuously until you see a screen appear that has advanced start up options. Start tapping that f8 key just as soon as you hit the power button. When this screen appears, you'll see three options. One says "start Windows normally," another says "safe mode," and the last option says "safe mode with networking." You'll want to select the option that says "safe mode."

Some computers are designed in such a strange way that if you tap the f8 key as soon as you hit the power button, a keyboard error appears. Thankfully, this is not very common. If you should have one of these strangely designed computers, first turn on the power button, then wait one second exactly to begin tapping the f8 key continuously until you see the advanced start up options screen.

Once your computer starts in safe mode, you will then go to your start menu; just the same as you would if your computer was running normally. Then, you'd go to your control panel. Once you are in your control panel, go to "add and remove programs." Once there, look at the list of programs until you see the particular one that you will want to move. Whatever the malware program is called that will not uninstall from your system when you try to do it while in normal mode, you will look for this same exact title while in safe mode, and then, you'd click the "remove" button." Once you'd done this, the program will be removed.

If you have vista or higher, you will not remove your programs from the control panel. In order to remove programs from your system, and this includes the malware, you'll need to go to "programs and features," which is in your start menu under "default programs" depending on how your start menu is set up, as sometimes, you will be able to go straight to "programs and features" without having to go to "default programs" first. Once you are there, you will be able to remove the program that you want by first finding it on the list and then pressing "enter" on its name. Once you press "enter" on the name of the program that you selected, options will come up. Select the one that says "remove."

While in safe mode, not all of your programs will work. For instance, you will not have access to the Internet. You will, however, be able to access your control panel and remove the programs that you need, along with doing other types of system maintenance, such as scanning for viruses, spyware and malware, to name a few of the things that can be done while in safe mode. Furthermore, some of your drivers will not function. You will not have sound, and in some cases, your video driver will not function, causing your screen to look strange and your pictures and fonts to be bigger than usual. Should you see this, there is no need to worry. There is nothing wrong with your computer. This is just what happens when you boot into safe mode.

When the malware program is removed from your computer, power your computer off. Then, restart your computer normally. You should be completely rid of the program. Of course, if the malware has done a substantial amount of damage, you'll have to reformat your computer's hard drive. The good news is, however, most of the time, taking these steps to remove the malware from your computer solves everything, and it enables your computer to run as it did before it was infected. You'll then be back on track.