Windows 10: How to virus scan without logging in.

My friend's computer suffered many sudden freezes before shutting down, and when trying to turn back on, we are no longer able to log back in. The password won't work anymore and just says it doesn't match the user. I'm speculating it's because the computer got hit with a virus. Is there a way to scan the computer for viruses without/before logging in?

:)

 

Windows Security Virus Scan

Please confirm you don't have a list like this:




e.g. from here (or via the control panel):




If not, suggests deeper problems. To which uninstall option are you referring? (A picture is worth...)

 

Windows Security Virus Scan

Yes that's exactly what I have. If you notice there is an uninstall option next to organize if you scroll to other updates ie. office, but it will disappear once you scroll to the latest updates.

 

PDF down loads not working - being flagged as having a virus threat ... Failed - Virus scan failed.

Hi Mikal,

Please try the steps from the Microsoft article Information about the Attachment Manager.

© Microsoft

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You may receive a "Virus scan failed" or "Virus detected" error message when you try to open or save a file or a program from Internet. In most cases, it is not caused by the Windows operating system, but by the antivirus software. If you are certain that the source you are trying to open is safe and trusted, try the following workaround to disable the virus scanning temporarily, and then enable the virus scanning immediately after you complete downloading the program or file. You have to be very cautious about using this workaround. Otherwise, you may be exposed to virus attacks.

1. Start Registry Editor.
   Windows 8 or 10
   
   1. From the Start screen, type regedit.exe, and then press Enter.
      
2. Locate the following registry subkeys: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments
   
   If you do not see the Attachments subkey, create it by right clicking Policies, select New, click Key, and then type Attachments as the key name.
   
   
   
3. Right click Attachments, select New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
   
4. Type ScanWithAntiVirus as the value name, and then press Enter.
   
5. Right-click the new ScanWithAntiVirus DWORD value, and then click Modify.
   
6. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
   
   
   
7. Exit Registry Editor.
   
8. Log off and log in Windows to make the change take effect.
   
9. Open or save the program or file that you failed before.
   

Note We suggest you change the value of ScanWithAntiVirus subkey to 3 to enable the virus scan right after you completely open or save the program or file.

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The above is a workaround. To fix the issue without disabling attachment manager scanning, please upload your Farbar scan logs.

• Download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST64.exe) [See also: Collect Farbar Recovery Scan Tool logs.]
  
• Rename FRST64.exe to EnglishFRST64.exe.
  
• Run the program and click "Scan".
  
• Upload the two logs, FRST.txt and Addition.txt, to your OneDrive and share the link here.
  

See also: Failed Virus Scan Fail (with Windows 10 latest update) - Microsoft Community (Uninstall McAfee cleanly using the MCPR.exe tool)