having issues with malware & bitdefender doesn't seem to be working

lithhhhhhh123

i use an old laptop with what i think is windows 10
this laptop has a lot of issues such as not being able to view my windows update/update windows, the microsoft store not working properly, etc. my gf thinks this is because of malware & when i tried to scan for viruses using bitdefender it quaranteened around 1.8k files that it said were dangerous
i deleted these files but when i went to the scan data it said that the number of dangerous files were increasing (it went from 1.5k to 1.8k) & i'm not sure what to do

Flexx

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/105827/having-issues-with-malware-bitdefender-doesnt-seem-to-be-working

Since Bitdefender is detecting so much malware and you’re having issues with Windows Update and the Microsoft Store, the best option is to reinstall Windows from scratch.

A clean install erases everything, including system errors and malware that normal scans might miss, and because persistent malware often hides in system components that scanners can’t fully repair, a reinstall removes those infected areas, and if Windows Update and the Microsoft Store are broken, that’s a strong sign the system files are corrupted, which reinstalling fixes, and since Windows 10 reached end‑of‑support on October 14, 2025 — meaning it no longer receives security updates or fixes unless you upgrade to Windows 11 or enroll in Windows 10 extended updates — a clean install is an even more helpful way to ensure your system is secure and up to date.

You can download Windows 10 from https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10

On that page you’ll find the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool and options to create a Windows 10 installation USB or ISO file. You’ll need a valid Windows 10 license (or your PC’s digital licence) to install or reinstall Windows.

Regards