Step 1: Enter Safe Mode
The first step in removing a Trojan manually is to enter Safe Mode. This ensures that the Trojan is not actively running and can be easily identified and removed. To enter Safe Mode, follow these steps:
- Restart your computer.
- As your computer starts, press and hold the F8 key until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
- Using the arrow keys, select “Safe Mode” and press Enter.
Step 2: Identify Suspicious Processes
Once in Safe Mode, you need to identify any suspicious processes running on your computer. To do this, follow the steps below:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Select the “Processes” tab.
- Look for any processes that seem unfamiliar, have random names, or consume a significant amount of system resources.
- Make a note of these suspicious processes for further investigation.
Step 3: End Malicious Processes
Now that you’ve identified the suspicious processes, it’s time to end them. Follow these steps:
- Right-click on the suspicious process in the Task Manager.
- Select “End Process” or “End Task”.
- If prompted for confirmation, click “Yes”.
- Repeat this process for each suspicious process you identified.
Step 4: Locate and Delete Trojan Files
With the malicious processes terminated, it’s time to locate and delete the Trojan files. Follow these instructions:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “explorer” and press Enter.
- Navigate to the following directories and delete any files associated with the Trojan:
- C:\ProgramData
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming
Step 5: Remove Trojan Registry Entries
Trojans often create registry entries to ensure their persistence on your system. Here’s how you can remove those entries:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “regedit” and press Enter.
- In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following locations and delete any entries related to the Trojan:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software
- HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software
Step 6: Restart Your Computer
After deleting the Trojan files and registry entries, it’s essential to restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect. Once your computer restarts, perform a thorough scan using a reputable antivirus software to double-check for any remaining traces of the Trojan.
While manual removal of a Trojan is possible, it is a complex task and should be undertaken with caution. By following this step-by-step guide, you can effectively remove Trojans from your computer, safeguarding your system and personal data. However, prevention is always better than cure, so make sure to keep your antivirus software up to date and exercise caution when browsing the internet or downloading files.