Even after the actual infection is gone, malware leaves a mess behind: bloated startup, broken network settings, junked-up temp folders and sometimes wrecked browser profiles. Walk through the steps below in order.
Step 1: Trim startup apps
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and go to Startup apps
- Disable anything you do not recognise or do not need at boot
- Restart and re-test boot time
Step 2: Clear temp files and downloads
- Press Win + R, type
%temp%, press Enter and delete everything you can - Open Settings → System → Storage and run Storage Sense
- Empty the Recycle Bin
Step 3: Reset the network stack
Some malware tampers with proxy and DNS settings. To reset everything to defaults:
- Open Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset
- Click Reset now and let Windows reboot
- After reboot, re-enter your Wi-Fi password
Step 4: Reset affected browsers
If your browser still feels off (slow, weird search results, leftover extensions) reset it from its own Settings → Reset settings page. This keeps bookmarks and saved passwords but removes hijacker traces.
Step 5: Verify with one final scan
Run one more full scan with Malwarebytes and Windows Defender to confirm nothing came back. If both are clean and performance is restored, you are done.
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JD
Written by
Jordan DicksonFounder, CyberSecurityGuides
Founder of CyberSecurityGuides, writing practical, jargon-free guides that help everyday people recover from and protect against online attacks.
Reviewed by CSG Security Engineers