If you’re wondering how to scan your computer for viruses, Cybersecurity Awareness Month, observed every October, is a good reminder to review your PC’s security. This guide explains how to do a quick Windows security check in five clear steps, including running a virus scan with Avast One Free AV, removing unused apps and browser extensions, checking for updates, and maintaining good security habits year-round.
Although we often hear about complex cyberthreats or cyberattacks on large companies, the reality is that keeping a personal computer protected doesn’t require advanced technical knowledge or spending hours configuring complex settings.
In fact, spending just five minutes once a year checking your computer’s status can make a big difference to your PC’s privacy, performance, and overall protection.
If you’ve ever wondered how to scan your computer for viruses in a simple way, this is the perfect time to bring your system up to date. In this guide we’ll show you how to do a quick security check in Windows in just five clear, straightforward steps, using Avast One Free AV to simplify the whole process.
Step 1: How to run a malware and virus scan with Avast One Free AV
The first step in any security review is to make sure your computer is secure. For those wondering how to scan a computer for viruses easily, the best approach is to start with a structured scan using an easy-to-use antivirus tool. This is where Avast One Free AV comes in for this routine.
Avast One Free AV is designed to be easy for anyone to use, helping detect viruses, malware, spyware, and other potential threats on your computer.
How to run a scan step by step:
- Open the application: Double-click the Avast One Free AV icon on your desktop or look for it in the Windows Start menu.
- Start the scan: On the main screen, select the option for a quick scan or Smart Scan. This process checks the most vulnerable areas of your system for malware and possible security issues.
- Review the results: Once the scan is finished in a few minutes, the tool will show you a clear summary of the findings.
- Follow the recommendations: If the program detects a suspicious file or a compromised setting, it will guide you through simple steps to quarantine the files or apply the recommended solution with a single click. Making this a habit gives you a clear starting point for your annual review. If you want to take the first step today, you can try Avast One Free AV to run a quick virus scan and start your Windows 10 or Windows 11 security check for free.
Step 2: How to delete the apps you no longer use
Once you’ve verified that your system is clean of malware, the next step is to review the applications installed on your computer. We often download apps for one-off projects or tools that we end up replacing with others, leaving old programs installed that take up space and may no longer be updated.
Removing what you don’t use helps reduce your PC’s attack surface, since an old unsupported program can expose you to vulnerabilities.
Steps to clean up unnecessary programs in Windows:
- Open Windows Settings (you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows + I).
- Go to the Apps section and select Installed apps.
- Review the list sorted by installation date or by size.
- If you find a program you don’t recognize or haven’t used in months, click the three-dot menu next to it and select Uninstall.
Step 3: How to remove browser extensions you’ve forgotten about
The web browser is one of the tools we use most every day and one of the main gateways to the internet. Browser extensions can be very useful, but letting too many pile up or keeping add-ons from unreliable developers can compromise your privacy or slow down browsing.
Removing browser extensions you no longer need is a quick step that improves both security and browsing performance.
How to review your extensions:
- In Google Chrome / Microsoft Edge: Type chrome://extensions or edge://extensions into the address bar and press Enter.
- In Mozilla Firefox: Type about:addons and open the Extensions section. Review the list carefully. Disable or remove any extension you no longer use, especially ones you don’t remember installing yourself or that require excessive permissions to work.
Step 4: How to check for Windows and software updates
Keeping the operating system and your main applications up to date is one of the most effective defensive measures. Many software updates not only add new features, but also fix known security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
1. Update Windows
Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Make sure you download and install the recommended security patches and restart your computer if the system asks you to. According to Microsoft’s Windows lifecycle information, Windows 10 is nearing the end of support, so this may also be a good time to start planning a switch to Windows 11.
2. Check the rest of your software
Don’t forget to update key programs such as web browsers, PDF readers, or media players. Avast One Free AV itself includes tools that alert you to outdated software on your computer, making it easier to keep your programs up to date in one place.
Step 5: What security habits should you maintain all year long?
Completing this five-minute review is an excellent first step, but keeping your computer protected requires maintaining a couple of good habits throughout the year:
- Pay attention to warning signs: If you notice that your PC starts running unusually slowly for no reason, strange pop-up windows appear while browsing, or the browser settings change on their own, these are signs that your computer may need an immediate malware scan.
- Be careful with links and downloads: Avoid downloading attachments from unsolicited emails, clicking suspicious links in messaging apps, or falling for phishing scams.
- Use strong passwords: Keep your accounts protected with a mix of characters and enable two-step verification whenever it’s available.
What is the 5-minute annual PC security checklist?
To make it very easy for you to repeat this process every year during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, here’s a quick summary you can save and refer to at any time, because cybersecurity isn’t something you do once a year, but every day:
- Scan the PC: Open Avast One Free AV and run a Smart Scan to check for viruses or threats.
- Clean up applications: Review the Windows Settings app and uninstall old software you no longer use.
- Clean up the browser: Go to your browser’s extensions section and remove unnecessary add-ons.
- Update the system: Check for pending updates in Windows Update and in your main programs.
- Maintain protection: Leave your security solution turned on. Avast One Free AV is one free option to help keep your computer protected day to day. Routine maintenance like this helps keep PC security simple rather than burdensome. Now you know that using Avast One Free AV is the first step in your routine for checking your computer’s status, running a quick virus scan, and keeping your Windows computer secure all year long.
