windows.old

soda · Jan 19, 2010

Hi there,
I just have a fast question if someone can answer for me. I performed a format on my friends computer because he had alot of viruses and dll's missing ect....The OS IS vista and when I performed the format vista stated that is saved old os and files and puts it in a folder called windows.old. My question is...If I give him back the computer and he opens and plays games from windows.old, will the viruses come back. Does vista remove the viruses before it creates windows.old.

Thank you for your help...

chaslang · Jan 22, 2010

Welcome to Major Geeks!

If you have a Windows.old folder, you did not format and reinstall. This folder appears when you install another copy of Windows on the same partition. If you had formatted the harddisk, all files and folders would have been erased. And when you install another copy of Windows like you did, it does not cause the infected files to be removed. It may very well deactivate the infection, but the files would still be on the hard disk waiting for you to run one of them.

soda · Jan 22, 2010

Thanks chasland...I appreciate your help.

chaslang · Jan 23, 2010

You're welcome. Surf safely!

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windows.old

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chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

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chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member