Remove Malware From Windows: A Complete Step-by-Step Cleanup Guide (2026)

🔥 Remove Malware From Windows: A Complete Step-by-Step Cleanup Guide (2026) Last month a reader messaged me in a panic — her browser homepage had changed on its own, random pop-ups kept appearing, and her laptop fan was running full speed even when idle. That's a textbook malware infection. I walked her through the exact cleanup process below, and her PC was clean again within an hour, no data lost. If your Windows PC is acting strange — slow, full of pop-ups, or doing things you didn't ask it to do — this guide will help you find out what's wrong and fix it safely, step by step. What You'll Learn You'll learn how to recognize the warning signs of malware, safely scan and remove it using free built-in tools, and set up habits that keep it from coming back. Signs Your PC May Be Infected Common symptoms include a sudden drop in speed, browser settings changing without your input, unfamiliar programs in your startup list, and antiviru…