Why do you need to run a virus scan in safe mode?

Question

Why do you need to run a virus scan in safe mode?

Answer 1

Its best to run the scans in safe mode because that is when Windows is running with the minimal stuff it needs to run. The virus shouldn't even have a chance to start or mask itself from the scan. That way you get the most accurate results possible as long as you downloaded the most recent definitions.

Answer 2

Using Windows Safe Mode to Remove the Virus

If you are having problems removing a virus then a good way is to use the windows safe mode which is a cut down version of Windows in a way that only the essential modules are loaded. Features such as sound, video drivers and all other software extra does not load in to memory by default. What we are hoping for is that a virus also does not load in to memory as you are bypassing the regular boot sequence. To load up safe mode you need to tap F8 when you first switch your PC on. When you do this a menu will show up early on in the boot sequence you can select start windows in safe mode. Once loaded up you will get your regular user name and password prompt and you can log right in. You will notice the icons are large and there isn’t much screen space. This is due to only the basics of the Windows OS loading up.

Answer 3

because the actual virus is loading up with windows, safe mode loads the basic stuff needed to run windows. with no extra's, with out the virus loaded, it can be healed or removed.

Answer 4

A very good, free anti-virus available to download is AVG 8 Anti-virus:

http://www.free.grisoft.com

And for any spyware problems, get SpyBot - Search and Destroy:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirro...

And for protecting your personal info and files, use Ad-Aware 2008 Free Edition:

http://lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_fr...

All of them are free, as powerful as paid programs, like Norton and McAfee, and don't use up as many resources.

Just boot into Safe Mode (Press F8 when turning on the computer) and run full scans.

Hope that helps.

Answer 5

you don't need to run a standard virus scan in safe mode but if it finds a virus you may need to run the scan in safe mode the reason is sometimes a scanner can't delete a virus in normal mode when the virus is running, if you do the scan in safe mode nothing is running except windows (and your virus scanner) which will allow the scanner to delete the virus easily.  

Answer 6

Running these programs in Safe Mode (tap F8 after powering on the computer and choose to boot to Safe Mode) can be more effective.

You can download and scan your system. I have been using it for months now.

Spyware Cleaner 2008

http://www.RnSafe.com/Spyware_Cleaner_20...

Answer 7

Safe Mode definition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_mode



Sometimes Anti virus need to run in safe mode because malicious script is detected in some system files, can be .dll, .exe, .com, .bat, and some other files located in C:\WINDOWS\.

Windows denied permission to any application from accessing certain system files needed to keep the system stable, but when malicious script is detected in these protected files, Anti virus cannot fully scaning it because windows has denied permission to the anti virus.

When the system in safe mode, Anti virus has more power and authority to access less protected system files, thus fully scaning probably infected files, If a trojan or worm is then detected, those files will then be quarrantined.

Answer 8

Some Virus's and most spyware start running when you start Windows normally. Safe Mode starts only the files needed to run Windows.

Answer 9

because it loads the minimal files required for windows to start...and it never really worked for me....when i had vundo..it even loaded in Safe Mode