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This is an attempt to ask a canonical question as discussed in this old meta post. The goal is to create something helpful that can be used as a duplicate when non experts ask about virus infections.

Let's say that I have determined beyond doubt that my home PC is infected by a virus. If necessary, you can assume that my computer runs Windows. Answers aimed at the non-technical reader are encouraged.

• What do I do now? How do I get rid of the virus?
• Do I really need to do a full reinstall? Can't I just run a couple of anti-virus programs, delete some registry keys, and call it a day?
• I really don't have time to deal with this right now. Is it dangerous to keep using the computer while it is infected?
• I don't have backups of my family photos or my master thesis from before the infection occurred. Is it safe to restore backups made after the infection occurred?
• Do I need to worry about peripherals getting infected? Do I need to do anything about my router or other devices on my home network?

This is an attempt to ask a canonical question as discussed in this old meta post. The goal is to create something helpful that can be used as a duplicate when non experts ask about virus infections.

Let's say that I have determined beyond doubt that my home PC is infected by a virus. If necessary, you can assume that my computer runs Windows. Answers aimed at the non-technical reader are encouraged.

• What do I do now? How do I get rid of the virus?
• Do I really need to do a full reinstall? Can't I just run a couple of anti-virus programs, delete some registry keys, and call it a day?
• I really don't have time to deal with this right now. Is it dangerous to keep using the computer while it is infected?
• I don't have backups of my family photos or my master thesis from before the infection occurred. Is it safe to restore backups made after the infection occurred?
• Do I need to worry about peripherals getting infected? Do I need to do anything about my router or other devices on my home network?

This is an attempt to ask a canonical question as discussed in this old meta post. The goal is to create something helpful that can be used as a duplicate when non experts ask about virus infections.

Let's say that I have determined beyond doubt that my home PC is infected by a virus. If necessary, you can assume that my computer runs Windows. Answers aimed at the non-technical reader are encouraged.

• What do I do now? How do I get rid of the virus?
• Do I really need to do a full reinstall? Can't I just run a couple of virus programs, delete some registry keys, and call it a day?
• I really don't have time to deal with this right now. Is it dangerous to keep using the computer while it is infected?
• I don't have backups of my family photos or my master thesis from before the infection occurred. Is it safe to restore backups made after the infection occurred?
• Do I need to worry about peripherals getting infected? Do I need to do anything about my router or other devices on my home network?

This is an attempt to ask a canonical question as discussed in this old meta post. The goal is to create something helpful that can be used as a duplicate when non experts ask about virus infections.

Let's say that I have determined beyond doubt that my home PC is infected by a virus. If necessary, you can assume that my computer runs Windows. Answers aimed at the non-technical reader are encouraged.

• What do I do now? How do I get rid of the virus?
• Do I really need to do a full reinstall? Can't I just run a couple of anti-virus programs, delete some registry keys, and call it a day?
• I really don't have time to deal with this right now. Is it dangerous to keep using the computer while it is infected?
• I don't have backups of my family photos or my master thesis from before the infection occurred. Is it safe to restore backups made after the infection occurred?
• Do I need to worry about peripherals getting infected? Do I need to do anything about my router or other devices on my home network?