How to Manually Scan a Windows Computer using McAfee VirusScan

Follow the steps below to scan your computer's drive(s) for infected files. Any files that can be cleaned will be retained. Any infected files that cannot be cleaned will be deleted. If for any reason you are unable to run a scan or McAfee is unable to clean or delete the virus, reboot your computer in safe mode and run a scan in safe mode.

How to use VirusScan to manually scan Windows 7 computers

  1. Windows 7 users should follow these directions to temporarily disable system restore.
  2. All users should delete temporary files prior to running a scan.
  3. Right-click the V-shield icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of your computer monitor).
  4. Left-click VirusScan Console.
  5. When the window Do you want to allow the following program to make changes to this computer? appears, left-click Yes.
  6. Right-click Full Scan .
  7. Left-click Start.
  8. VirusScan will take between five minutes and several hours to scan your computer's drive(s) depending on the amount of data on your computer's drive(s).
  9. If your computer has AdAware or some other anti-spyware software installed, VirusScan will not scan the file. You'll see the message File not scanned [The file is encrypted.].
  10. When the scan is complete, close VirusScan.
  11. To be sure that your computer is clean, reboot your computer, and follow steps 2-7 to scan your computer a second time.
  12. Windows7 users should reverse the steps to re-enable system restore.

How to use VirusScan to manually scan Windows Vista computers

  1. Windows Vista users should follow the directions to temporarily disable system restore.
  2. Delete temporary files prior to running a scan.
  3. Right-click the V-shield icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of your computer monitor).
  4. Left-click VirusScan Console.
  5. Right-click Full Scan.
  6. Left-click Start.
  7. VirusScan will take between five minutes and several hours to scan your computer's drive(s) depending on the amount of data on your computer's drive(s).
  8. If your computer has AdAware or some other anti-spyware software installed, VirusScan will not scan the file. You'll see the message File not scanned [The file is encrypted.].
  9. When the scan is complete, close VirusScan.
  10. To be sure that your computer is clean, reboot your computer, and follow steps 2-7 to scan your computer a second time.
  11. Windows Vista users should reverse the steps to re-enable system restore.

How to use VirusScan to manually scan Windows XP computers

  1. Windows XP users should follow these directions to temporarily disable system restore.
  2. Delete temporary files prior to running a scan.
  3. Right-click the V-shield icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of your computer monitor).
  4. Left-click VirusScan Console.
  5. Right-click Full Scan.
  6. Left-click Start.
  7. VirusScan will take between five minutes and several hours to scan your computer's drive(s) depending on the amount of data on your computer's drive(s).
  8. If your computer has AdAware or some other anti-spyware software installed, VirusScan will not scan the file. You'll see the message File not scanned [The file is encrypted.].
  9. When the scan is complete, close VirusScan.
  10. To be sure that your computer is clean, reboot your computer, and follow steps 2-7 to scan your computer a second time.
  11. Windows XP users should reverse the steps to re-enable system restore.