McAfee VirusScan: manually scan your computer (Windows Vista)

By default, the UD version of VirusScan will automatically scan your computer every Wednesday at about noon. If your computer is off at that time, or if you want to scan your computer more frequently, follow these instructions.

Any files that can be cleaned will be retained; any that cannot will be deleted. If for any reason you are unable to run a scan or if McAfee is unable to clean or delete the virus, scan your computer in Safe Mode.

  1. Temporarily disable System Restore:
    1. Click the Start button.
    2. Right-click Computer.
    3. Click Properties. You will see the System window that looks similar to the graphic below:
      system preferences
    4. In the left-hand column, click System protection. If you see a User Account Control window, click Continue. You will see the System Properties window, which looks similar to the following:
      system properties
    5. Under Automatic restore points, uncheck Local Disk (C:) (System). You will see the System Protection window, which looks similar to the following:
      protection
      Click Turn System Restore Off
    6. Click OK.
  2. Run Disk Cleanup to delete your temporary files.
  3. Right-click the V-shield icon in the System Tray (in the bottom-right corner of your screen).
  4. Click VirusScan Console.
  5. Right-click Full Scan.
  6. Click Start.
  7. VirusScan will take between five minutes and several hours to scan your computer, depending on the amount of data on your computer's drive(s).

    NOTE

    VirusScan will not scan encrypted files. You'll see the message File not scanned [The file is encrypted.].

  8. When the scan is complete, close VirusScan.
  9. To be sure that your computer is clean, restart your computer and follow steps 2-8 to scan your computer a second time.
  10. Re-enable System Restore:
    1. Click the Start button.
    2. Right-click Computer.
    3. Click Properties. You will see the System window.
    4. In the left-hand column, click System protection.
    5. Under Automatic restore points, check Local Disk (C:) (System). Your screen will look similar to the one below:
      system properties
    6. Click Apply.
    7. Click OK.