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How to Find Hidden Malware on Windows 10 Without Any Tools (2025 Guide)

Is your Windows 10 laptop or PC acting strange?
Is it slow, showing pop-ups, or running unknown programs?
If yes, your device may have hidden malware—and the scary part is that malware usually hides deep inside your system.

But the good news?

You can find hidden malware on Windows 10 without installing any tools.
Yes—no antivirus, no scanner, no paid software.
Just simple built-in methods that are already inside your computer.

This guide covers:

• Signs of hidden malware
• How to detect malware without tools
• How to check suspicious apps & background tasks
• How to remove hidden malware manually
• How to stay protected in the future

What Is Hidden Malware in Windows 10?

Hidden malware is harmful software that installs itself on your PC and tries to stay invisible so you can’t detect or remove it easily.

It may:

• Run silently in the background
• Hide inside system folders
• Change your settings
• Steal your data
• Track your browsing
• Use your internet or CPU
• Install more malware

Some common types of hidden malware include:

• Spyware
• Keyloggers
• Trojans
• Adware
• Browser hijackers
• RAT (Remote Access Tools)
• Rootkits

These malware types try to look like normal Windows processes, so they’re difficult to detect.

But don’t worry—you can still find them manually.

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11 Signs Your Windows 10 Has Hidden Malware

Before scanning anything, check if your PC shows these symptoms.

1. Your PC suddenly becomes slow

Malware uses CPU and RAM secretly.

2. Unknown apps in background

You may see programs you never installed.

3. Pop-ups or ads

This is a strong sign of adware.

4. Browser auto-opening

Malware often opens tabs or redirects searches.

5. Antivirus disabled automatically

Malware disables protection first.

6. Storage filling up

Virus files keep generating new data.

7. Strange network activity

Your internet becomes slow even if nothing is downloading.

8. New startup apps

Malware often adds itself to startup.

9. PC crashes or freezes

High malware activity causes system issues.

10. Unauthorized changes

Unknown settings change automatically.

11. High CPU usage even when idle

This is a classic sign of hidden malware.

If your device shows 3 or more of these signs, follow the steps below.

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How to Find Hidden Malware on Windows 10 Without Any Tools

Here are the best manual methods to detect malware for free.

1. Check Suspicious Processes in Task Manager

This is the fastest way to find hidden malware.

Step-by-step:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
2. Open Task Manager
3. Go to the Processes tab
4. Click CPU or Memory to sort by usage
5. Look for:
   • Unknown processes
   • Programs with strange names (ex: xjhdg.exe, syswow64host.exe)
   • Apps using high CPU without reason
   • Background tasks you don’t recognize

Malware Examples:

• Windows Update Service (fake)
• Client Server Runtime (fake)
  Server Runtime (fake)
• Runtime Broker (fake)
• Random.exe
• Browser.exe (fake)

Pro Tip

Right-click suspicious process → Open File Location

If it opens inside these folders, it may be malware:

AppData
Temp
Roaming
System32 (fake files)
ProgramData

If you see weird files — you found malware.

2. Check Startup Apps – Most Malware Hides Here

Malware loves to start automatically.

How to check:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
2. Go to Startup tab
3. Disable:
   • Unknown apps
   • No-name apps
   • Apps with empty publisher field
   • Programs you never installed

If you see apps like:

“System”
“Windows Service Update”
“Host Process”
“Search Enhancer”

These are often malware pretending to be system files.

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3. Check Hidden Programs in Apps & Features

Malware often installs a small app secretly.

How to check:

1. Go to Settings
2. Click Apps
3. Open Apps & Features
4. Sort “Installed Recently”

Look for:

• Unknown apps
• Toolbars
• Browser extensions
• Game boosters
• Free download managers
• Apps installed without permission

If you see anything suspicious → Uninstall it.

4. Search for Hidden Malware Using Command Prompt (CMD)

This step helps you find hidden files manually.

How to open:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type cmd
3. Right-click → Run as Administrator

Command to show all running processes:

tasklist

Look for:

Unknown .exe files
Processes without description
Duplicate Windows processes

Command to show hidden files:

dir /a:h /s C:\

This shows all hidden files in your PC.

If you find unfamiliar hidden folders → malware may be hiding there.

5. Check Windows Services (Malware Disguises Itself as a Service)

How to check:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type services.msc
3. Press Enter

Look for suspicious services like:

Update Service (Fake)
Browser Helper (Fake)
Windows Security Update (Fake)
Client Update (Fake)

If the service name looks like Windows but the description is empty, it’s usually malware.

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6. Check Internet and Network Usage

Hidden malware uses your internet without permission.

How to check:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
2. Go to Performance
3. Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet

If you see:

• High upload
• High download
• Network use even when idle

Then malware is sending your data online.

Also check:

Settings → Network → Data Usage

Unknown apps consuming data = suspicious.

7. Check Browser Extensions (Most Hidden Malware Enters from Here)

Go to your browser settings and check installed extensions.

Remove extensions like:

• Free video downloader
• Unknown ad-blocker
• Shopping helpers
• PDF converters
• Search tool
• Free VPN unknown brands

These often carry adware + spyware.

8. Check Hosts File (Malware Modifies This File)

Malware changes the hosts file to redirect your browser.

How to check:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Paste this:

notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

3. Press Enter

If you see anything other than:

127.0.0.1 localhost

→ Malware has modified it.

9. Check Temporary Files (Common Malware Location)

Malware often hides in Temp or AppData folders.

Open Temp:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type %temp%

If you see many strange .exe files → suspicious.

Open AppData:

%appdata%
%localappdata%

Folders to check:

• Unknown folders
• Random character names
• Recently modified files

Delete only suspicious unknown folders (not system folders).

10. Check Registry for Malware Entries

This is advanced — but effective.

How to open:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type regedit

Check these keys:

Startup locations:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

If you find suspicious apps running at startup → delete the entry carefully.

Warning

Do not delete system entries.
Delete only clearly suspicious ones.

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11. Use Windows Defender (Built-In Tool)

Windows Defender is built in — so it doesn’t count as an external tool.

How to scan deeply:

1. Go to Settings
2. Update & Security
3. Windows Security
4. Virus & Threat Protection
5. Perform a Full Scan
6. Perform Offline Scan (Deepest scan)

Offline Scan removes:

• Rootkits
• Deep malware
• Hidden trojans
• Boot sector viruses

This scan restarts your PC and runs before Windows loads — making it powerful.

How to Remove Hidden Malware Manually (Without Tools)

If you found any suspicious files, processes, or apps, here’s how to remove them safely.

1. End Process from Task Manager

Right-click → End Task

2. Delete the File from File Location

Right click → Open File Location → Delete

If Windows refuses deletion:

• Restart PC in Safe Mode
• Delete again

3. Uninstall from Apps & Features

Go to:

Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Uninstall

4. Remove startup entry

Task Manager → Startup → Disable

5. Delete registry entry

Regedit → Run folder → delete suspicious entries.

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How to Stay Safe in Future (Simple Tips)

Keep Windows Updated

Updates remove many security bugs.

Never download cracked games or apps

Most contain malware.

Avoid unknown VPNs, boosters, cleaners

Fake apps = hidden malware.

Don’t click unknown email links

Most malware spreads through phishing.

Use a strong browser

Chrome, Edge, Brave — safe options.

Create a restore point

Always have a backup point.

Use Windows Defender regularly

Free + powerful in 2025.

Conclusion

Finding hidden malware on Windows 10 without any tools is easier than most people think. With built-in features like Task Manager, Startup apps, CMD, Services, and Windows Security, you can quickly spot strange activity and remove suspicious files. These steps help you keep your PC safe without downloading extra software. If your device feels slow, shows pop-ups, or uses high CPU, follow this guide to check for malware manually. Staying alert and avoiding unsafe downloads will protect your Windows 10 system from future threats and keep your PC running smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I find malware without antivirus?

Yes. Using Task Manager, CMD, Startup, and Services.

2. Can a virus delete itself?

Some advanced malware does, but traces remain.

3. Is Windows Defender enough?

Yes, for most people it is strong enough in 2025.

4. How do I know if a process is malware?

Unknown name + high CPU + unknown location = malware.

5. Should I install third-party antivirus?

Optional. Windows 10 is already secure.

6. How do I know if hidden malware is on my Windows 10 PC?

You may notice slow performance, high CPU usage, unknown apps, random pop-ups, or unusual network activity. These are common signs that hidden malware may be running in the background.

7. Can I detect malware on Windows 10 without installing any tools?

Yes. You can use built-in features like Task Manager, CMD, Startup Apps, Windows Security, and File Explorer to find and remove suspicious programs.

8. What is the easiest way to check for hidden malware?

The easiest way is to open Task Manager and look for unknown processes using high CPU, memory, or disk usage. Then check their file location to confirm if they are safe or harmful.

9. Can CMD help find hidden malware?

Yes. Using commands like “dir /a”, “netstat -ano”, and “tasklist”, you can detect hidden files, unknown connections, and suspicious running tasks.

10. How do I remove hidden malware manually?

Find the malware file location using Task Manager, stop the process, delete the file, and remove it from Startup Apps. Then restart your system.

11. Is Windows Security enough to detect hidden malware?

For many basic threats, yes. Windows Security’s Full Scan and Offline Scan can detect hidden viruses, spyware, and trojans.

12. Why is my PC still slow after removing malware?

Some malware changes system settings. Try clearing startup apps, updating Windows, deleting temp files, and resetting network settings.

13. How do I check if malware is hiding in startup programs?

Open Task Manager → Startup and look for unknown or suspicious programs. Disable anything you don’t recognize.

14. Can malware hide in system files?

Yes. Some advanced malware hides inside system folders like System32. Use Task Manager and Windows Security to investigate suspicious system processes.

Final Words

You don’t need advanced software to find malware.
Using simple built-in features, you can easily find hidden malware on Windows 10 without any tools.

If your PC was acting strangely, now you know how to:

• Detect suspicious processes
• Find hidden apps
• Check startup entries
• Scan with CMD
• Remove malware manually
• Stay safe for future

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