Alex Ruben
How To Detect If Your PC Has Been Hacked in Just 1 Minute (2025)
Honestly, it’s kind of weird how many signs can point to your Windows PC being compromised. Slowdowns, strange pop-ups, weird files—that stuff can be super hard to pin down. So this isn’t about shoving all the fancy security tools your way, but more about basic checks that might reveal if someone else snuck into your system. Running through these steps might make you feel a little less paranoid, or at least spot something fishy before it gets worse.
How to Check if Your Windows PC Might Be Compromised
Run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
This is kind of a no-brainer, but if you haven’t done a malware scan lately, it’s worth doing. It’s built into Windows and can help catch and trash common viruses or malware. Sometimes, things slip through, especially if you’re not running a dedicated antivirus. The MRT tool’s good for a quick scan, but also for a full deep dive if you suspect something’s amiss.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
MRTand hit OK. If that doesn’t work, you might need to find it manually in Settings > Apps > Optional Features > Add a feature and install it from there. - When the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool window pops up, click Yes if prompted. Then hit Next.
- Choose the scan type: Quick scan for a quick look, or Full scan (the longer option) if you wanna be thorough. Trust me, the Full scan is a good idea if you’re worried about hidden nasties, but it takes a couple hours.
- Click Next. Sit back and relax (or curse at how slow your PC is). Once it’s done, it’ll tell you if anything was found and removed. Be sure to click Finish.
This kind of check helps catch basic malware that might be causing random glitches or slowdown. Sometimes weird issues vanish after a clean sweep.
Check for Suspicious User Accounts
A lot of bad actors create new user accounts to keep access even after cleaning malware. Checking for anything unusual can reveal if someone’s hiding in your system.
- Press Windows + R, then type
netplwizand hit Enter. - Look at all the user accounts listed. Do any look suspicious? Like, accounts you didn’t create or know about?
- If yes, select that account and hit Remove. Before deleting, make sure it’s not a legit account—then confirm.
- Click Apply and OK. Repeat if necessary. Sometimes malicious accounts won’t stick around after deletion, but other times, they come back after a reboot. So, be vigilant.
This step’s kind of like checking your house for uninvited guests—better safe than sorry.
Look at Startup Programs
Malware often registers itself to run automatically whenever you turn on the PC. A quick peek at startup items can catch those sneaky little buggers.
- Right-click the taskbar and choose Task Manager.
- Go to the Startup tab.
- Scan the list for anything odd—programs you didn’t install or seem fishy.
- If you spot something suspicious, right-click and select Disable. Don’t forget to Google the process or app name if you’re unsure!
Disabling unknown startup apps won’t break your system, but can prevent potential malicious stuff from auto-launching next time you boot up.
Extra Tips & Common Problems
Because Windows isn’t perfect and malicious actors are always getting sneakier, here are some quick tips:
- Make sure your Windows is up to date. Just go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates. Of course, because Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
- Install a reputable antivirus—think Windows Defender (which is pretty decent), or something like Avast or Bitdefender—and run regular scans.
- Be cautious about opening weird email attachments or clicking strange links. Phishing is still a big threat.
Wrap-up
This isn’t a guaranteed “I’m safe now” check, but it’s a good start. If your PC shows signs of weird behavior, these steps might reveal if someone’s sneaking around. Of course, for full peace of mind, consider running a dedicated malware scanner or even getting a professional to look at it. In the end, keep your system updated and stay alert—that’s the real way to keep trouble out.
Summary
- Run MRT with full scan for malware.
- Check for unknown user accounts and remove them.
- Inspect startup programs for suspicious entries.
- Stay updated and use good antivirus tools.
Final Note
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours of head-scratching for someone. It’s not always perfect, but basic checks like these can go a long way in catching trouble early. Fingers crossed this helps!