Though the main point of antivirus software is to stop viruses from infecting your computer, it’s also worth knowing if this software can help you remove an existing one. Keep reading to learn if antivirus software can get rid of viruses, and if so, how it does.
Can I Install Antivirus if I Have a Virus?
Yes. Even if your computer already has a virus, you can install antivirus software. Though it’s possible to remove a virus from your computer without using antivirus, downloading such software will make your task much easier.
If your computer has been infected by a virus, you don’t need to do anything different when downloading. Go to the provider’s website and download whichever version is compatible with your laptop. You can then grant disk permissions and start using the tool.
Can Antivirus Software Remove Existing Viruses?
Although antivirus tools are designed to prevent viruses in the first place, they’re very good at removing existing ones on your computer. However, you’ll likely need to scan your computer first to find and delete the malware.
If you know that your computer has a virus, you’re better off removing software with an antivirus tool. Windows Defender, for example, might not be enough with the number of modern-day threats out there.
How Does Antivirus Software Remove Existing Viruses
The antivirus software will first do a scan of your computer. Once it detects a virus, it will quarantine the malware first. By doing this, it stops the virus from causing any further harm to your device. You typically have to manually quarantine a virus.
Once your antivirus software has quarantined a virus, you can then permanently delete the malware. It’s a good idea to restart your computer after doing that so that everything works like normal. If your antivirus software has mistakenly quarantined an item, you can usually restore it.
Your antivirus software might find the malware in one of two ways. First, you can run a manual scan; some tools offer the option for a “deep scan”, and if yours does, you should do this.
If you have real-time protection enabled, your software should automatically find the virus. However, you’re often better off using a manual scan if the malware was already on your device before downloading the antivirus tool. That way, you can fix the issue more quickly.
What Antivirus Software Is Best for Removing Viruses
You should pick an antivirus tool based on its features rather than a familiar name. Since you already have a virus on your computer, the tool you choose should have a manual detection tool. Ideally, you’ll want one with a deep scan tool.
It’s also important that you find an antivirus solution with quarantining features. That way, you’ll ensure that the malware causes no further damage. The majority of antivirus solutions have this feature, so finding one that meets your needs shouldn’t be a huge struggle.
Below are some antivirus tools that can remove existing viruses. You only need a free plan to get rid of viruses for each of them.
- Malwarebytes
- Bitdefender
- Norton
- TotalAV
- Avast
Fast action is required to stop viruses from causing significant damage to your computer, and antivirus tools can help you quarantine and remove them. Most of the time, you only need a free plan. But to stop the issue from happening again, investing in an antivirus tool is wise; make sure it has each of these features.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Danny Maiorca.
