Malware infections can severely impact your PC’s performance and compromise your data. Avast, a trusted antivirus software, offers a powerful feature called Boot Scan, which can effectively remove malware from your system.
In this detailed guide, we will explore how to use Avast Boot Scan to remove malware from your PC, perform a Boot Scan from the command prompt, stop a Boot Scan if needed, and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
How to Use Avast Boot Scan to Remove Malware from Your PC
To use Avast Boot Scan and remove malware from your PC, follow these steps:
- Ensure that you have the latest version of Avast installed on your computer. If not, visit the Avast website and download the latest version.
- Open the Avast user interface by double-clicking the Avast icon in your system tray or by searching for it in the Start menu.
- In the Avast user interface, go to the “Protection” or “Scan” section, depending on your version of Avast.
- Click on the “Scan Now” or “Run Smart Scan” button.
- In the scan options, select “Boot-Time Scan” or “Boot Scan” and click “Start” or “Run Scan”.
- Avast will prompt you to schedule a Boot Scan for the next system restart. Click “Yes” or “Schedule Now” to proceed.
- Restart your computer. Avast will initiate the Boot Scan during the startup process.
- Avast will scan your system for malware before the operating system fully loads. It will attempt to remove or quarantine any threats it detects.
- Once the Boot Scan is complete, your computer will continue to start up as usual.
By following these steps, you can effectively use Avast Boot Scan to remove malware from your PC.
Performing a Boot Scan from the Command Prompt
If you prefer to perform a Boot Scan from the command prompt, follow these steps:
- Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. Right-click on the Start menu, select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”.
- Type the command for initiating a Boot Scan. The command may vary depending on your Avast version, but it is typically similar to the following:
"C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastUI.exe" /runscanner
- Press Enter to execute the command. Avast will schedule a Boot Scan for the next system restart.
- Restart your computer. Avast will perform the Boot Scan during the startup process.
By using the command prompt, you can trigger a Boot Scan without accessing the Avast user interface directly.
How to Stop Avast Boot Scan
If you need to stop an ongoing Avast Boot Scan, follow these steps:
- Restart your computer. As soon as the Avast Boot Scan begins, press the F8 or F9 key repeatedly to access the boot options menu.
- Use the arrow keys to navigate to the “Safe Mode” or “Safe Mode with Networking” option and press Enter.
- Your computer will start in Safe Mode, bypassing the Boot Scan.
- Once in Safe Mode, open the Avast user interface and navigate to the scan settings.
- Cancel or disable the Boot Scan to stop it from running on the next system restart.
By following these steps, you can stop an ongoing Avast Boot Scan if necessary.
Troubleshooting Avast Boot Scan Issues
If you encounter any issues with Avast Boot Scan, such as it not initiating or causing system instability, try the following solutions:
- Update Avast to the latest version to ensure compatibility and access to the latest virus definitions.
- Run a full system scan with Avast to detect and remove any existing malware.
- Check your computer for any hardware or software conflicts that may interfere with Avast Boot Scan.
- If the issues persist, uninstall and reinstall Avast on your computer.
If the problem still persists, consider reaching out to Avast support for further assistance.
Conclusion
Avast Boot Scan is a powerful tool for removing malware from your PC.
By following the steps outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can effectively use Avast Boot Scan to scan and remove malware, initiate a Boot Scan from the command prompt, stop an ongoing Boot Scan if needed, and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
Keep your PC protected and ensure its optimal performance with Avast Boot Scan.
