How to Start the FixMeStick for Windows – FixMeStick Support

In this article, we explain how to start using your FixMeStick, depending on what version of Windows you are using.

If you have a Windows 10 computer, here's a video on how to get started:

If your computer is using another version of Windows, scroll down to the Index below and click on the instructions for your version of Windows.

Index:

Getting Started if You Have a Windows XP Computer

Getting Started if You have a Windows Vista Computer

Getting Started if You have a Windows 7 Computer

Getting Started if You have a Windows 8/8.1 Computer

Getting Started if You have a Windows 10/11 Computer

If you aren't sure of what version of Windows you're running on your computer, click here.

Don't have a PC? Click here for the Mac getting started instructions.

Getting Started if You Have a Windows XP Computer

1. Plug in your FixMeStick device. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.

2. Left-click on the Start button in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.

3. Left-click on the My Computer option on the right-hand side of the menu.

4. In the My Computer window shown below, you should see the option that says FixMeStick USB under Removable Storage Devices. You will need to double left-click this option. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.

5. You will be brought to a list of different folders, as shown below, with an option that says FixMeStick at the bottom. You will need to double left-click that option. If you can't find the FixMeStick application, click here.

You may be prompted by a message from User Account Control, as shown below. Left-click Yes to allow the program to open.

Your FixMeStick will search for updates, as shown in the picture below. Allow the updates to complete. If you get a page asking you to plug in your FixMeStick and it is already plugged in, please click here.

6. You will may see the User License Agreement appear, as shown below. You will have to left-click on Accept to continue.

The update screen, that had appeared previously, may reappear and load another update.
You may also see a page that says Administrator Privileges Required. This page normally comes up as part of the loading process.

7. Finally, you will get to a screen that says What Happens Next at the top of the page. You will have to left-click Reboot and Start FixMeStick to start your scan.

Your computer will restart, and our logo will appear. The computer screen may go black for a moment, and the words FixMeStick… may appear in the top left corner. Eventually, our logo screen will appear again.
If your computer screen stays black upon reboot, click here.
If your computer screen stays black with white text on it upon reboot, click here.
If your computer screen stays black with a blinking white cursor in the corner upon reboot, click here.
If your computer reboots into Windows, click here.
If your computers stays frozen on our logo screen upon reboot, click here.

Our in-scan screen will appear, as shown below. Your computer will search for an internet connection in step one, and will connect automatically. If it doesn't connect automatically, click here.
Step two of the scan will check for product updates, which is also automatic. At this point, the program may go back to the logo screen, and repeat steps one and two. If you get a message saying that you are not authorized to run a scan, click here.
Step three is checking malware definitions, which is also automatic. You will be prompted in the upper-right hand corner to register your stick, as shown below. We highly recommend you register your stick.

You may receive a message saying Please press any key or click your mouse to continue. If you receive this message, either press any button, or click on your mouse to continue the scan. If you do not receive this message, you can move on to the next step.
Once the scan if fully engaged in step three, you will be prompted with a message saying Your input is no longer needed. This scan can take from one to several hours. At this point, you can leave your computer and let the scan run its course. Scans typically take between two and six hours to complete, but may be longer depending on the number of files on the computer.

8. Once the scan is complete, our program will show you everything it found, and ask if you would like to clean it, as shown below. Simply left-click Clean. If no threats were found, you can skip this option. If your scan froze in the middle and did not complete, click here.

9. When the FixMeStick has completed its cleaning, you will receive a notice to exit FixMeStick and restart your computer. Once you left-click exit, you can remove our USB device and start your computer again. If you are having issues after a scan, please visit our Knowledge Base page for post-scan issues by clicking here.

Getting Started if You Have a Windows Vista Computer

1. Plug in your FixMeStick device. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.

2. Left-click on the Windows button in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.

3. Left-click the Computer option on the right-hand side of start menu.

4. In the Computer window shown below, you should see the option that says FixMeStick USB under Removable Storage Devices. You will need to double-left click this option. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.

6. You will be prompted by a message from User Account Control, as shown below. Left-click Yes to allow the computer to make changes.

Your FixMeStick will search for updates, as shown in the picture below. Allow the updates to complete. If you get a page asking you to plug in your FixMeStick and it is already plugged in, please click here.

You will then see the User License Agreement appear, as shown below. You will have to left-click Accept.

The update screen, that appeared previously, may reappear and load an update.
You may also see a page that says Administrator Privileges Required. This page normally appears as part of the loading process.

7. Finally, you will get to a screen that says What Happens Next at the top of the page. You will have to left-click Reboot and Start FixMeStick.

Your computer will restart, and you will see our logo appear. The computer may go black for a moment, and the words FixMeStick… will appear in the top left corner. Eventually, our logo will appear again.
If your computer screen stays black upon reboot, click here.
If your computer screen stays black with white text on it upon reboot, click here.
If your computer screen stays black with a blinking white cursor in the corner upon reboot, click here.
If your computer reboots into Windows, click here.
If your computers stays frozen on our logo screen upon reboot, click here.

Our in-scan screen will appear, as shown below. Your computer will search for an internet connection in step one, and will connect automatically. If it doesn't connect automatically, click here.
Step two will check for product updates, which is also automatic. At this point, the program may go back to the logo screen, and repeat steps one and two. If you get a message saying that you are not authorized to run a scan, click here.
Step three is checking malware definitions, which is also automatic. You will be prompted in the upper-right hand corner to register your stick, as shown below. We highly recommend you register your stick.

You may receive a message saying Please press any key or click your mouse to continue. If you receive this message, either press any button, or click on your mouse to continue the scan. If you do not receive this message, you can move on to the next step.
Once the scan if fully engaged in step three, you will be prompted with a message saying Your input is no longer needed. This scan can take from one to several hours. At this point, you can leave your computer and let the scan run its course. Scans typically take between two and six hours to complete, but may be longer depending on the number of files on the computer.

Getting Started if You Have a Windows 7 Computer

1. Plug in your FixMeStick device. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.

2. Left-click on the Windows button in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen

3. Left-click the Computer option on the right-hand side of start menu.

5. You will be brought to a list, shown below, with a list of folders and an option that says FixMeStick at the bottom. You will need to double-left click that option. If you can't find the FixMeStick application, click here.

6. You will be prompted by a message from User Account Control, as shown below. Click yes to allow the computer to make changes.

You will see an update screen flash up on your screen. This box will disappear after a few seconds. If you get a page asking you to plug in your FixMeStick and it is already plugged in, please click here.

7. You will then see the User License Agreement appear, as shown below. You will have to left-click Accept.

The update screen, that appeared previously, will reappear and load an update.
You will see a page that says Administrator Privileges Required. This page normally comes up as part of the loading process, and should go back to the update screen afterwards.

8. Finally, you will get to a screen that says What Happens Next at the top of the page. You will have to left-click Reboot and Start FixMeStick.

Your computer will restart, and you will see our logo appear. The computer may go black for a moment, and the words FixMeStick… will appear in the top left corner. Eventually, our logo will appear again.
If your computer screen stays black upon reboot, click here.
If your computer screen stays black with white text on it upon reboot, click here.
If your computer screen stays black with a blinking white cursor in the corner upon reboot, click here.
If your computer reboots into Windows, click here.
If your computers stays frozen on our logo screen upon reboot, click here.

Our in-scan screen will appear, as shown below. Your computer will search for an internet connection in step one, and will connect automatically. If it doesn't connect automatically, click here.
Step 2 will check for product updates, which is also automatic. At this point, the program may go back to the logo screen, and repeat steps one and two. If you get a message saying that you are not authorized to run a scan, click here.
Step 3 is checking malware definitions, which is also automatic. You will be prompted in the upper-right hand corner to register your stick, as shown below. We highly recommend you register your stick.

You may receive a message saying Please press any key or click your mouse to continue. If you receive this message, either press any button, or click on your mouse to continue the scan. If you do not receive this message, you can move on to the next step.
Once the scan is fully engaged in Step 3, you will be prompted with a message saying Your input is no longer needed. This scan can take from one to several hours. At this point, you can leave your computer and let the scan run its course. Scans typically take between two and six hours to complete, but may be longer depending on the number of files on the computer.

9. Once the scan is complete, our program will show you everything it found, and ask if you would like to clean it, as shown below. Simply left-click Clean. If no threats were found, you can skip this option. If your scan froze in the middle and did not complete, click here.

When the FixMeStick has completed its cleaning, you will receive a notice to exit FixMeStick and restart your computer. Once you left-click exit, you can remove our USB device and start your computer again. If you are having issues after a scan, please visit our Knowledge Base page for post-scan issues by clicking here.

Getting Started if You Have a Windows 8/8.1 Computer

1. Plug in your FixMeStick device. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.

2. Left-click on the Windows button in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.

3. You will see a search icon at the top right-hand portion of the screen, as shown below.

Click on the search icon and type File Explorer into the search bar. The program that you would like to run will appear directly below the search bar. You will have to left-click this option.

4. In the Computer or My PC window shown below, you should see the option that says FixMeStick USB under Devices and Drives. You will need to double-left click this option. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.

6. You will be prompted by a message from User Account Control, as shown below. Left-click yes to allow the computer to make changes.

You will see an update screen flash up on your screen. This box will disappear after a few seconds. If you get a page asking you to plug in your FixMeStick and it is already plugged in, please click here.

7. You will then see the User License Agreement appear, as shown below. You will have to left-click Accept.

The update screen, that appeared previously, will reappear and load an update.
You will a page that says Administrator Privileges Required. This page normally comes up as part of the loading process, and should go back to the update screen afterwards.

8. Finally, you will get to a screen that says What Happens Next at the top of the page. You will have to left-click Reboot and Start FixMeStick.

Your computer will restart, and you will see our logo appear. The computer may go black for a moment, and the words FixMeStick… will appear in the top left corner. Eventually, our logo will appear again.
If your computer screen stays black upon reboot, click here.
If your computer screen stays black with white text on it upon reboot, click here.
If your computer screen stays black with a blinking white cursor in the corner upon reboot, click here.
If your computer reboots into Windows, click here.
If your computers stays frozen on our logo screen upon reboot, click here.

Our in-scan screen will appear, as shown below. Your computer will search for an internet connection in step one, and will connect automatically. If it doesn't connect automatically, click here.
Step two will check for product updates, which is also automatic. At this point, the program may go back to the logo screen, and repeat steps one and two. If you get a message saying that you are not authorized to run a scan, click here.
Step three is checking malware definitions, which is also automatic. You will be prompted in the upper-right hand corner to register your stick, as shown below. We highly recommend you register your stick.

You may receive a message saying Please press any key or click your mouse to continue. If you receive this message, either press any button, or click on your mouse to continue the scan. If you do not receive this message, you can move on to the next step.
Once the scan is fully engaged in step three, you will be prompted with a message saying Your input is no longer needed. This scan can take from one to several hours. At this point, you can leave your computer and let the scan run its course. Scans typically take between two and six hours to complete, but may be longer depending on the number of files on the computer.

10. When the FixMeStick has completed its cleaning, you will receive a notice to exit FixMeStick and restart your computer. Once you left-click exit, you can remove our USB device and start your computer again. If you are having issues after a scan, please visit our Knowledge Base page for post-scan issues by clicking here.

Getting Started if You Have a Windows 10/11 Computer

1. Plug in your FixMeStick device. If you get a message to format your FixMeStick, please click here.

2. Right-click on the Windows button in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.

3.You will be given a menu, as shown below. Left-click the File Explorer option from the list.

4. In the File Explorer window shown below, you should see the option that says FixMeStick USB on the left hand side of the window. You will need to double-left click this option. If you can't find the FixMeStick USB, click here.

6. You will be prompted by a message from User Account Control, as shown below. Left-click yes to allow the computer to make changes.

You will see an update screen flash up on your screen. This box will disappear after a few seconds. If you get a page asking you to plug in your FixMeStick and it is already plugged in, please click here.

7. You will then see the User License Agreement appear, as shown below. You will have to left-click Accept.

The update screen, that appeared previously, will reappear and load an update.
You will a page that says Administrator Privileges Required. This page normally comes up as part of the loading process, and should go back to the update screen afterwards.

8. Finally, you will get to a screen that says What Happens Next at the top of the page. You will have to left-click Reboot and Start FixMeStick.

Your computer will restart, and you will see our logo appear. The computer may go black for a moment, and the words FixMeStick… will appear in the top left corner. Eventually, our logo will appear again.
If your computer screen stays black upon reboot, click here.
If your computer screen stays black with white text on it upon reboot, click here.
If your computer screen stays black with a blinking white cursor in the corner upon reboot, click here.
If your computer reboots into Windows, click here.
If your computers stays frozen on our logo screen upon reboot, click here.

Our in-scan screen will appear, as shown below. Your computer will search for an internet connection in step one, and will connect automatically. If it doesn't connect automatically, click here.
Step two will check for product updates, which is also automatic. At this point, the program may go back to the logo screen, and repeat steps one and two. If you get a message saying that you are not authorized to run a scan, click here.
Step three is checking malware definitions, which is also automatic. You will be prompted in the upper-right hand corner to register your stick, as shown below. We highly recommend you register your stick.

You may receive a message saying Please press any key or click your mouse to continue. If you receive this message, either press any button, or click on your mouse to continue the scan. If you do not receive this message, you can move on to the next step.
Once the scan is fully engaged in step three, you will be prompted with a message saying Your input is no longer needed. This scan can take from one to several hours. At this point, you can leave your computer and let the scan run its course. Scans typically take between two and six hours to complete, but may be longer depending on the number of files on the computer.

When the FixMeStick has completed its cleaning, you will receive a notice to exit FixMeStick and restart your computer. Once you left-click exit, you can remove our USB device and start your computer again. If you are having issues after a scan, please visit our Knowledge Base page for post-scan issues by clicking here.

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