How2Day: Manual Virus Removal Tools

Antivirus software greatly simplifies the virus removal process: update your definitions and then click the "Scan" button to search your system for any infections. However, some antivirus applications can fail to detect a virus infecting your computer, or---in the worst of cases---the virus can block you from loading the antivirus software itself. Although you should avoid removing a virus on your own---at least not without detailed instructions from a reliable source---Windows provides some tools you can use to manually disinfect your hard drive.

Safe Mode reduces the operating system to its bare essentials, temporarily stripping Windows of any unnecessary components that could interfere with the operation of the system. Because Safe Mode tends to disable the active components a virus utilizes to infect the computer and reduce functionality, Safe Mode can provide a more stable environment to users attempting to clean their systems of infections. Some viruses can still operate in Safe Mode, though, so Safe Mode won't always be 100 percent safe.

Command Prompt lacks a graphical user interface (GUI), but despite its user-unfriendly appearance it serves as one of Windows' best diagnostic and repair tools. The Command Prompt can alter system settings, scan and repair the operating system and browse and modify the files stored to the hard drive. The Command Prompt can help you locate and delete viruses hidden on your system and replace any corrupt system files with new ones from your Windows CD or DVD.

Windows stores all of its system, hardware, software and user settings in a hierarchical database known as the Windows Registry. The registry is made up of values (data that relates to a specific setting) and keys (folders which organize values into their appropriate categories). Windows, in fact, requires a functional Registry in order to run; invalid modifications to the Registry can render Windows unable to boot. Viruses often modify, create or delete Registry values and keys. As long as you know how to reverse the changes a virus has made to your Registry you can revert your computer back to its previous state.

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