How to Protect Your Computer from Viruses in Windows 7: Guide 2025
Every second, more than 127 new viruses attack computers around the world. How to protect a computer from viruses is becoming an increasingly important issue, especially for Windows 7 users.
However, many Windows 7 computer owners face a serious problem — official support for the system has ended, making their devices more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Moreover, outdated protection methods are no longer effective against modern threats.
That is why we have prepared an up-to-date security guide to help protect your Windows 7 system even in 2025. In this article, you will learn proven ways to protect against viruses, proper security settings, and effective tools to ensure the safety of your computer.
Checking the Current System Status
Before starting to protect your computer, it is necessary to determine its current status. Regular system checks are the first step to reliable protection against viruses and malware. Let’s look at how to properly check the security status of your computer on Windows 7.
How to Know If There Are Viruses on Your Computer
Malicious software rarely shows itself openly, but there are signs that may indicate your computer is infected:
Decreased performance — the computer operates noticeably slower, and programs take longer to launch than usual
Unusual behavior of the operating system — spontaneous reboots, frequent error messages, appearance of unknown files or programs
Strange browser behavior — homepage changes, sites opening automatically, a large amount of ads and pop-ups
Network problems — applications connect to the internet without your consent
Unusual activity — friends receive messages from you that you didn’t send, and your mailbox contains many emails without a sender address
If you notice these signs, you should immediately scan your computer for viruses. You can use the built-in Windows tool — Windows Defender — for this.
Checking with the Built-in Windows Defender
Windows Defender is a built-in antivirus solution that constantly monitors the system for potential threats. To check your computer, follow these steps:
Open the “Start” menu → “Settings” → “Update & Security” → “Windows Security” → “Virus & Threat Protection.”
In the window that opens, you will see information about the current protection status, the time of the last scan, and the number of files checked.
Select the type of scan:
Quick scan — scans only critical system files and folders where viruses are most commonly found
Full scan — thoroughly scans all files on the hard drive and running applications
Custom scan — scans disks and files selected by you
Microsoft Defender Offline Scan — a special mode to detect rootkits and persistent malware
For everyday use, a quick scan is sufficient and takes minimal time. However, if you suspect an infection, it is recommended to perform a full system scan.
Also, make sure that real-time protection is enabled. This feature constantly monitors the device for potential threats. When suspicious activity is detected, it immediately alerts you and prevents possible harm.
When to Use a Third-Party Scanner
Despite the effectiveness of Windows Defender, there are situations when it is better to use third-party antivirus solutions:
When complex threats are detected that Windows Defender cannot handle. Third-party antiviruses often have broader functionality and flexible settings.
For additional checking — if you suspect that the standard antivirus missed a threat, it makes sense to scan with another program. Different antiviruses use different malware detection algorithms.
For analyzing suspicious files — if you are unsure about a file's safety, you can use the free VirusTotal service, which checks files and links with 70 different antivirus scanners.
When additional security features are needed — many third-party antiviruses offer extended options: email and password protection, network analysis, creation of emergency recovery disks.
Keep in mind that when installing a third-party antivirus, Windows Defender automatically disables itself to avoid conflicts between programs and performance degradation.
Thus, regularly checking the current system status is a key element in a virus protection strategy. Combining Windows 7 built-in tools with third-party solutions when necessary will allow you to maximize your computer’s security even without official support.
Installing and Configuring Antivirus for Windows 7
After checking the system status, you need to install reliable antivirus software — this is the main way to protect your computer from viruses and malware. Let’s see which antivirus solutions are suitable for Windows 7 in 2025, and how to properly install and configure them.
Which Antivirus Supports Windows 7 in 2025
Despite the end of official Windows 7 support (which ended on January 14, 2020), many antivirus companies continue to release compatible products, including:
Kaspersky — offers reliable protection against all types of viruses, including Standard and Internet Security versions. Provides high protection against viruses and phishing, has an intuitive interface, and minimally loads the system.
Dr.Web Security Space — a Russian antivirus with a large, constantly updated virus database. Protects funds, confidential data, and the system from various attacks and threats. The effective anti-spam system detects suspicious emails in any language.
Avira Free Security — a free antivirus that includes a VPN and system optimization functions. It is easy to use but has limited functionality in the free version.
360 Total Security — a free antivirus with multi-layer protection and built-in optimization tools, though ads are present in the free version.
Microsoft Security Essentials — a basic solution from Microsoft for Windows 7, which still receives virus definition updates through the Update Center.
It is important to note that for comprehensive protection, it is better to choose paid versions such as Bitdefender Total Security or Kaspersky Standard, which offer a wider range of functions.
How to Properly Install Antivirus
The antivirus installation process on Windows 7 usually consists of the following steps:
Download the installer from the official manufacturer’s website. Never download antivirus software from third-party sources — they may contain outdated or modified versions.
Run the installer as an administrator and follow the installation wizard instructions.
Select the installation type. Typically, standard (recommended) and custom installations are offered. For most users, the standard option is suitable.
Accept the license agreement and wait for the installation process to complete.
Perform an initial system scan after installation to ensure there are no threats.
For the antivirus to work correctly, the date and time on the computer must be properly set. In addition, before installing a new antivirus, it is recommended to remove previously installed antivirus programs to avoid conflicts.
Setting Up Automatic Database Updates
Regular antivirus database updates are a critically important element of computer protection against new threats. How to set up automatic updates:
Open the antivirus main window and find the “Update” or “Settings” section.
In the update settings, select “Automatic update” mode and set a convenient interval (optimally — daily).
If the computer does not have a constant internet connection, set the update mode to “When connected to the network.”
Check the proxy server settings if you use a corporate network.
For Dr.Web users, you can set the update frequency as follows: open the antivirus menu via the tray icon, select “Security Center,” click the gear icon (Settings), go to the “Update” tab, and select a suitable interval.
If the computer does not have internet access, you can use the “Antivirus Network” feature from Dr.Web or manually download database updates from another device using a removable drive.
For Microsoft Security Essentials, automatic updates are configured through the Windows Update Center, where you need to ensure that the option to receive definition updates is enabled.
Updating the System and Software
Regularly updating the operating system is a key element of comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Even for operating systems whose official support has ended, updates play an important role in ensuring computer security.
Why It Is Important to Update Windows 7 Despite the End of Support
Official Windows 7 support ended on January 14, 2020 [1]. This means that Microsoft no longer releases regular security updates for this operating system. However, continuing to use an outdated OS without updates is extremely dangerous.
First of all, it's important to understand that the absence of updates makes the system vulnerable to new types of attacks. When a new vulnerability is discovered (which happens almost every day [1]), computers running Windows 7 remain unprotected, creating a high risk of hacker attacks and data theft.
A clear example is the EternalBlue exploit, which was used in the WannaCry ransomware attack [2]. Such attacks can exploit vulnerabilities in outdated protocols and services lacking modern security measures.
For critical systems, Microsoft offered the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, providing security updates for three years after official support ended [3]. These updates were released on the second Tuesday of each month and addressed critical and important security issues.
How to Enable Automatic Updates for Programs
Despite the end of mainstream support, it is important to configure automatic updates for both the operating system and any installed programs.
To configure automatic updates on Windows 7:
Click the Start button and select Control Panel
Go to System and Security → Windows Update
On the left-hand side, select Change settings
Under Important updates, choose one of the following options:
Install updates automatically (recommended)
Download updates but let me choose whether to install them
Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them [4]
For programs downloaded via Microsoft Store, automatic updates can be configured as follows:
Click the Start button, then find and open Microsoft Store
In the Microsoft Store app, select Profile (account photo) → Settings
Make sure the App updates feature is turned on [5]
It is important to note that some applications have their own update mechanisms. For example, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera browsers continue to support Windows 7 and receive updates [6]. Make sure to check the automatic update settings for each critical program.
Alternative Ways to Protect Against Vulnerabilities
If updates are unavailable or insufficient, there are alternative methods to protect Windows 7:
Using additional security tools. Install a reliable third-party antivirus that still supports Windows 7. Such programs often offer extra protection features that can compensate for the lack of system updates.
Limiting internet usage. Most modern viruses spread via the internet. If you primarily use the computer for working with documents, consider fully disconnecting it from the internet or strictly limiting internet access [7].
Avoid using an administrator account. Using a standard user account for everyday tasks makes it harder for malware to install itself, as the system will prevent the execution of files without administrative rights [6].
Keep third-party software updated. Ensure that third-party applications are kept up to date to minimize vulnerabilities due to outdated software [2]. Pay special attention to browsers and programs that access the internet.
Use endpoint management software (UEM). Such solutions can ensure the automatic application of critical updates and security patches, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities being exploited .
Additional Protection Measures
In addition to antivirus software and system updates, there are other effective ways to protect Windows 7 from malware. These measures create additional barriers between your computer and potential threats.
Using a Web Filter and Pop-up Blockers
Pop-up windows often contain malicious code or are used for phishing. Most modern browsers automatically block such windows. To configure pop-up blocking in Internet Explorer:
Open Internet Explorer and click Tools → Internet Options
On the Privacy tab, under Pop-up Blocker, click Settings
Select the blocking level: High: Block all pop-ups
In Google Chrome, pop-up blocking is enabled by default. When blocked, a "Pop-up blocked" icon appears in the address bar. To change these settings:
Click on the three dots in the top-right corner → Settings
Select Privacy and security → Site settings → Pop-ups and redirects
Configuring a Secure Browser
Chrome offers a Safe Browsing feature that protects against phishing and malicious websites. To enable enhanced protection:
Open Settings → Privacy and security → Security
Select Enhanced protection — the browser will check the URLs of visited pages and warn about dangers
Even reputable websites can unintentionally spread malware through ads. Therefore, it is recommended to install an ad blocker such as AdBlock or uBlock.
To protect personal data in the browser:
Use private browsing mode for confidential work
Disable saving passwords in the browser
Regularly clear your history and cookies
Creating a System Restore Point
A restore point saves the state of system files and the registry, allowing you to return to a working configuration in case of virus infections or system crashes.
To create a restore point:
Click Start → Control Panel → System → System Protection
Select the system drive and click Configure
Check the box next to Turn on system protection and previous versions of files
Configure the disk space allocation for restore points
Click OK, then Create and enter a description for the restore point
Restore points are especially effective against ransom software that blocks access to files. When creating new points, old ones are automatically deleted, so it's important to allocate enough disk space for their storage.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, protecting a Windows 7 computer requires a comprehensive approach. Regular system checks, installing reliable antivirus software, timely software updates, and disabling vulnerable features create a strong shield against modern cyber threats.
Proper browser configuration, creating restore points, and controlling USB devices significantly reduce the risk of malware infections. Even without official support for Windows 7, the smart use of these protection measures ensures a sufficient level of security for the computer.
Therefore, Windows 7 computer owners can continue to use their devices safely by following the protection recommendations and regularly checking the system's status. Remember, computer security directly depends on the user's vigilance and timely implementation of protective measures.
References
[1] - https://www.pnp.ru/social/chem-grozit-polzovatelyam-prekrashhenie-podderzhki-windows-7.html
[2] - https://blog.scalefusion.com/ru/Уязвимости-в-устаревших-системах-Windows-с-UEM/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=Как UEM упрощает адаптацию и отключение пользователей для ИТ-специалистов&utm_campaign=Scalefusion Blog
[3] - https://learn.microsoft.com/ru-ru/troubleshoot/windows-client/windows-7-eos-faq/windows-7-extended-security-updates-faq
[4] - http://www.pc-problems.ru/win_vista_7/secrets_of_working/217/
[5] - https://support.microsoft.com/ru-ru/windows/включение-автоматического-обновления-приложений-70634d32-4657-dc76-632b-66048978e51b
[6] - https://hi-tech.mail.ru/news/47480-kak-obezopasit-sistemu-bez-obnovlenij/
[7] - https://hetmanrecovery.com/ru/recovery_news/windows-7-time-limit-is-coming-to-an-end-heres-what-users-need-to-know.htm
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