Make A Total Virus Scan A Habit

Updated on August 14, 2026, by Xcitium

Total Virus Scan

What Is a Total Virus Scan?

A total virus scan is a comprehensive malware check designed to examine a computer for viruses, ransomware, Trojans, spyware, rootkits, potentially unwanted applications, and other malicious software. It is commonly called a full system scan because it examines significantly more files and locations than a quick scan.

A total virus scan may inspect system files, applications, running processes, memory, user folders, downloads, connected storage, startup locations, and other areas where malware may hide.

The computer plays a big role in every person these days. Whether it is used for a home office type of work or just for browsing and gaming, you need to maintain this computer properly. Part of your maintenance is to make a total virus scan so that you will be assured that your system is free from any strains of viruses or malware that could be on your system and remained hidden for a long period of time.

Others do not pay attention to maintaining these computers while others are very cautious and give importance to the PC by doing some a little preventive maintenance. They scan computers for viruses and to some, they update the software to avoid being attacked and being exploited by the cybercriminals that always look for the vulnerabilities of the target computer.

There is a certain thing that you can avoid if you make a total virus scan. Through the help of this, you can easily identify if your system was infected by a computer virus and prevent a more serious problem in the future.

How to Run a Total Virus Scan

Follow these steps to perform a complete virus scan:

Open your antivirus or endpoint security application.
Check for security software updates.
Update the latest threat definitions or security intelligence.
Open the scan options.
Select Full Scan, Complete Scan, or the equivalent option.
Include connected drives if they also need to be checked.
Start the scan.
Allow the scan to finish.
Review all detected threats.
Quarantine suspicious files.
Remove confirmed malware according to the security application’s guidance.
Restart your computer if required.
Run another scan to confirm that the threat is no longer detected.

If malware returns after removal, consider a deeper or offline scan and investigate possible persistence mechanisms.

What Does a Total Virus Scan Check?

The exact coverage depends on the security product, but a comprehensive system scan may examine:

Operating system files
Installed applications
Running processes
System memory
Startup programs
User folders
Downloads
Temporary files
Browser-related files
System directories
Local drives
Connected external storage
Removable media
Common malware persistence locations

A total virus scan usually examines far more data than a quick scan, which is why it may require substantially more time.

Effects Of Total Virus Scan

Below are the most common behaviors of a virus when it is present in a computer system.

If the computer is infected with a computer virus and did not scan computers or make a total virus scan, it may delete, destroy, or corrupt the data. Most of the common files that are infected are applications made from Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint.
If the computer is infected with a computer virus and did not scan computers or make a total virus scan, it may display an irritating message, or otherwise disrupt computer operations. Most of the computer virus is stacked in the computer’s memory where it can cause problems by interfering with other software and spread the infection easily.
If the computer is infected with a computer virus and did not scan computers or make a total virus scan, it can disable hardware that would the computer unstable.
If the computer is infected with a computer virus and did not scan computers or make a total virus scan, it can perform a dangerous behavior like formatting the hard disk, though this, the files inside the disk will be deleted.
If the computer is infected with a computer virus and did not scan computers or make a total virus scan, if the computer virus was able to spread, it will consume a large amount of disk space, memory, and old logs by the processing unit of the devices.

How to Run a Total Virus Scan

Follow these steps to perform a complete virus scan:

Open your antivirus or endpoint security application.
Check for security software updates.
Update the latest threat definitions or security intelligence.
Open the scan options.
Select Full Scan, Complete Scan, or the equivalent option.
Include connected drives if they also need to be checked.
Start the scan.
Allow the scan to finish.
Review all detected threats.
Quarantine suspicious files.
Remove confirmed malware according to the security application’s guidance.
Restart your computer if required.
Run another scan to confirm that the threat is no longer detected.

If malware returns after removal, consider a deeper or offline scan and investigate possible persistence mechanisms.

What Does a Total Virus Scan Check?

The exact coverage depends on the security product, but a comprehensive system scan may examine:

Operating system files
Installed applications
Running processes
System memory
Startup programs
User folders
Downloads
Temporary files
Browser-related files
System directories
Local drives
Connected external storage
Removable media
Common malware persistence locations

A total virus scan usually examines far more data than a quick scan, which is why it may require substantially more time.

Signs of a Total Virus Scan Infection

Performing a total virus scan to your computer is very essential. You can easily track and threat that potentially inside your system. But if you missed to scan computers, here some signs that would help you check your system for any virus or malware infection.

If the user is not performing the scan computers and total virus scan, the computer might experience a slower internet connection and slower task processing overall. Although this behavior doesn’t always happen and blame to the virus, if this occurs in a sudden situation and previously, you are not experiencing this, then it is possible that the computer is infected with a computer virus.
If the user is not performing the scan computers and total virus scan, the computer might behave very weird. Computer viruses are capable of doing strange things to a computer system. If the computer is not properly responding according to the commands of the user, then it is possible that the computer is infected with a virus.
If the user is not performing the scan computers and total virus scan, the computer might show sudden freeze and crash frequently. Since computer viruses can damage your hard drive, they can cause your computer to behave a great failure. If your computer was able to survive the crash, it would be better to run an updated antivirus.
If the user is not performing the scan computers and total virus scan, the computer might show error messages. If the computer is infected with a computer virus, it may show some annoying pop-up messages that warn about some missing file systems or application files.
If the user is not performing the scan computers and total virus scan, the computer might display advertisements. It is very common to see such advertisements when you are browsing the internet, but if you see these ads when you are not actively browsing, then this could be a sign of a virus infection.
If the user is not performing the scan computers and total virus scan, the computer might send malicious emails. One of the main sources of computer viruses is through email because viruses can spread itself through email.
In the event that the user isn’t performing the computer scan and total virus filter, the computer might delete or include files on your hard drive. You must keep track of the size of the hard drive because a virus may install multiple duplicates of itself or delete files unexpectedly.

How Long Does a Total Virus Scan Take?

There is no fixed duration for a total virus scan.

Scan time depends on:

Number of files
Storage capacity
Drive speed
Computer performance
Scan depth
File types
Connected storage
Security product
Other applications running simultaneously

A full scan can take much longer than a quick scan because it examines significantly more data.

For business endpoints, schedule intensive scans appropriately to reduce disruption while maintaining adequate security coverage.

Signs You Should Perform a Complete Virus Scan

Run a deeper malware scan if you notice:

Unexplained slow performance
Frequent system crashes
Unexpected pop-ups
Browser redirects
Unknown applications
New browser extensions
Unusual network traffic
High CPU or disk activity
Security software being disabled
Unexpected startup programs
Missing files
Encrypted files
Unauthorized account activity

One symptom alone does not prove that malware is present. However, repeated or unexplained changes should be investigated.

How to Understand Total Virus Scan Results

Result	What It Means	Recommended Action
No threats detected	No known threats were found in scanned areas	Keep protection enabled and continue monitoring
Threat detected	Suspicious or malicious content was identified	Review the detection
Threat quarantined	Suspicious content has been isolated	Remove it if confirmed malicious
Threat removed	The security solution completed remediation	Restart if necessary and scan again
Potentially unwanted application	Software may create unwanted behavior	Determine whether the program is required
Partially removed	Some malicious components may remain	Perform deeper remediation
Threat returns	Malware may have persistence or another infection source	Investigate further
Scan failed	An error prevented complete scanning	Resolve the error and rerun the scan

A clean scan is useful, but it does not provide an absolute guarantee that a computer contains no malicious activity.

What Should I Do If a Total Virus Scan Finds Malware?

If malware is detected:

Quarantine the threat. Prevent suspicious content from operating normally.
Review the detection. Check its severity, location, and recommended action.
Remove confirmed malware. Follow the security application’s remediation guidance.
Restart the computer if required.
Run another full scan. Check for additional malicious components.
Install security updates. Patch the operating system and applications.
Review account security. Change potentially compromised passwords from a trusted device.
Enable multi-factor authentication.
Check other systems. Business environments should determine whether the threat spread.
Continue monitoring. Recurring detections may indicate a deeper compromise.

For organizational devices, follow established incident response procedures and preserve relevant forensic evidence when appropriate.

Can a Total Virus Scan Find Every Virus?

No security scanner can guarantee detection of every threat.

Malware authors continually develop techniques designed to evade detection. New threats may also appear before security products have enough information to classify them confidently.

For stronger protection, combine full-system scanning with:

Real-time endpoint protection
Behavioral threat detection
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Security updates
Vulnerability management
Multi-factor authentication
Email and web protection
Least-privilege access
Tested backups
Continuous security monitoring

Layered security reduces reliance on any single detection method.

Total Virus Scan vs Real-Time Protection

Total Virus Scan	Real-Time Protection
Point-in-time security check	Continuous monitoring
Often manually initiated or scheduled	Runs automatically
Searches broadly for existing threats	Detects suspicious activity as it occurs
Useful after suspected compromise	Useful for everyday prevention
Can be resource-intensive	Designed for ongoing background protection

Organizations should use both rather than treating full scans as a replacement for continuous endpoint monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions About Total Virus Scans

What is a total virus scan?

A total virus scan is a comprehensive security scan that examines a computer for viruses, ransomware, Trojans, spyware, rootkits, and other malware. It is commonly referred to as a full system scan.

Is a total virus scan the same as VirusTotal?

No. A total or full virus scan checks an endpoint for malware. VirusTotal is an online analysis service that examines submitted files, URLs, and other indicators using many antivirus engines and security tools.

Does VirusTotal scan your whole computer?

No. Submitting a file or URL to VirusTotal does not scan the entire computer. Use antivirus or endpoint security software for a complete system scan.

Is a full virus scan better than a quick scan?

A full scan provides broader coverage, while a quick scan is faster and focuses on common threat locations. A full scan is particularly useful when malware infection is suspected.

How long does a total virus scan take?

The time varies according to storage capacity, file count, computer performance, connected drives, and security software. A full scan normally takes longer than a quick scan.

Can a full system scan remove viruses?

Many antivirus and endpoint security products can quarantine and remove detected malware. Remediation capabilities depend on the product and the specific threat.

What should I do if a virus keeps returning after a full scan?

Recurring malware can indicate persistence, an unpatched vulnerability, compromised credentials, another malicious component, or a source of reinfection. Perform deeper investigation and consider offline scanning or professional incident response where appropriate.

PROTECT YOUR ENDPOINTS FOR FREE

Related Resources

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