Malware is a blanket term for any malicious software that has infected your computer. Viruses, Trojans, Worms, and Spyware are all forms of Malware. Because Malware is such a general term, it is difficult to describe one way to remove each type that could be infecting your computer.
One way to start is to boot your computer into Safe Mode which only runs the software that is necessary. When a program that has a virus is running, it is far more difficult to remove it. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can start a virus scan to help determine whether your machine has been infected or not.
Regularly deleting temporary files by using the Disk Cleanup Utility is a good idea. Running Disk Cleanup can free up space and should make the virus scan run quicker.
While this method could help you pinpoint any potential red flags, your best choice is to take your PC or laptop to a professional who can run several software programs to ensure that nothing is overlooked.
