In today’s digital age, computers have become an indispensable tool in our daily lives, whether for work, study, or leisure. However, they can sometimes fall victim to malicious attacks or unauthorized modifications, creating significant disruptions. Imagine John coming home after a long day at work, only to find that his computer’s desktop icons are scattered, his browser’s homepage has been replaced with a suspicious site, and even his banking credentials seem compromised. While this scenario sounds like a plot from a movie, it is a reality many people have faced.
So, what should you do if your computer is compromised in a similar way? Instead of panicking, you need to take quick and effective steps to restore your system. Here, we explore several methods to deal with malicious modifications on your Windows computer.
1. How to Reset Your Computer and Fix Unauthorized Change.
One of the most direct solutions to fixing a compromised system is to reset your computer. Resetting restores your system to its original state, removing any malicious software or changes made. In both Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can navigate to the settings menu by right-clicking the Start button. From there, follow the path: “Windows Update” – “Advanced Options” – “Recovery“. You will be presented with a few options, including “Keep my files” or “Remove everything“. Depending on your preference, you can choose to retain personal files or wipe everything clean. While this method is thorough, it is crucial to back up any essential data before proceeding.
2. How to Use Backup to Restore Your System.
If a full reset seems too drastic, restoring your computer from a previous backup is a gentler alternative. This method works best if you’ve regularly backed up your system. By accessing the “Control Panel” and selecting “Backup and Restore“, you can revert your system to a point before the malicious changes occurred. This solution allows you to avoid reinstalling the entire operating system while still recovering a functional, unmodified version of your setup.
3. How to Use Malware Scans to Fix Issues.
Sometimes, your system is compromised due to malware, which can alter system settings and applications. In such cases, running a quick malware scan can help detect and isolate any harmful software. In Windows, this can be done by navigating to “Privacy and Security” in the settings, then selecting “Windows Security“. From there, click on “Virus & Threat Protection” and perform a quick scan. This process will scan your system for viruses and quarantine any suspicious files that may have caused the modifications.
4. How to Restore a Compromised Browser.
Browsers are often targeted by malicious software, resulting in homepage redirects or shortcut modifications. If your browser has been compromised, right-click on the browser shortcut, select “Properties” and check the “Target” field. If any malicious URLs have been added, simply delete them and save the changes. Additionally, you can reset the browser to its default settings by going into the browser’s settings menu and selecting the option to reset settings. This will restore your browser to its original, unmodified state.
5. How to Fix File Association Issues.
In some cases, not just the system and applications are affected, but file associations may also be modified. For example, you may want to open a text file with Notepad, but the system defaults to opening it in a browser instead. To fix this, right-click the file, select “Open with” and set Notepad as the default application. By doing this, you ensure that all future files of that type will open with the correct application.
In conclusion, dealing with a compromised system may seem daunting, but with the right steps, you can quickly restore your computer’s functionality. By familiarizing yourself with these methods, such as resetting the system, using backups, performing malware scans, or fixing file associations, you can ensure that your computer stays protected and runs smoothly. Regular backups and careful browsing habits are essential to avoid such problems in the future.
6. Video Demo.
You can watch the following demo video by choosing your preferred subtitle language.
