Virus & Malware Removal · 6 min read
How to Remove a Trojan From Your Computer
A trojan is malware disguised as something you wanted. Because you installed it deliberately, it often has full user permissions from the start — which makes cleanup more urgent than for drive-by infections.
Published 2026-08-09 · Last updated 2026-08-09
Typical symptoms
New processes with plausible-sounding names, outbound network traffic at idle, security software that will not update, unexpected UAC prompts, and accounts logging in from unfamiliar locations. Some trojans show no symptoms at all, which is the point.
Removal sequence
Disconnect from the network. Run Microsoft Defender Offline Scan. Follow with a full scan from the free Malwarebytes scanner. Remove the program you installed just before the trouble started, along with anything installed alongside it. Reboot and rescan.
Assume credentials are compromised
Many trojans exist to steal saved passwords, browser cookies and session tokens. From a different device, change passwords for email first, then banking and everything else, and sign out of all active sessions. Enable multi-factor authentication everywhere it is offered.
Prevent the repeat
Trojans overwhelmingly arrive through pirated software, cracked games, fake installers from search ads, and 'codec' or 'driver updater' downloads. Removing the habit removes the threat far more reliably than any product does.
Frequently asked questions
- Can antivirus remove a trojan?
- Yes, mainstream antivirus removes the overwhelming majority of trojans. The residual risk is stolen credentials, which software cannot undo for you.
- What is a trojan antivirus?
- There is no separate category — any reputable antivirus detects trojans. Products advertising themselves specifically as trojan removers are often low-quality or worse.