This is a Windows guide, so cool Mac and Linux people will find this pretty useless. Also seeing as they kinda don’t get viruses. Pah, read it anyway, or take a look at another post.

So, this guide is designed to help you get rid of a virus using various tools from Microsoft.

The Malicious Software Removal Tool

This thing rocks. It’s a piece of software that’s updated through Windows Update every month, and lives on all Windows XP and Windows Vista PCs. To run it, type “MRT” into the Start > Run (XP) or just type it into the Start Search (Vista). The program is easy to use, and is an easy step to take to remove a virus without installing other software.

Windows Defender

If you’re on Windows XP, this can be a saviour when the malicious software removal tool doesn’t work (on Vista it is already installed). Just head over to the website over at Microsoft.com, download it (you will need to validate your copy of Windows), install it, and run it. Windows defender also helps clear the crap that starts up with Windows too, and can help make your computer boot up quicker. It can also improve overall performance of your computer, with these programs not running in the first place.

The Windows Live OneCare Online Safety Scanner

For another easy to use tool to scan your PC without installing new software, head over to the Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner. It allows you to scan from within your browser, and is extremely easy to use for the novice user.

Get Windows Live OneCare

I don’t care what people say about OneCare - for me it’s fantastic. It works exactly as it should, and I haven’t had a single virus since I installed it. It seriously does work - and the reason I like it so much is because it doesn’t hog your system resources, and is really quick software to use. When you get into software like Norton yeah perhaps it does the job okay, but I felt it did unnecessary stuff and generally slowed down my PC for no reason at all, plus I hate its interface. A windows program should have a Windows interface, and Norton seems to be using some kind of skin now, or at least it was the last time I saw it. OneCare isn’t overcomplicated, and you can buy it either in a store or online. Even if you can’t afford it you can use the 90 day trial, which is a trail for the full version of OneCare.

http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-gb/default.htm

Download it from the link above, and it should remove or quarantine any unwanted software on your PC, and as it is virus protection, will keep you protected.