Windows Activation Virus Removal Guide
Windows Activation virus
Click here to skip to the Windows Activation Removal Options.
Windows Activation virus is a broad term used to identify a trojan horse and fraudulent Microsoft Windows tool that essentially displays a fake Windows Activation notification or screen. The Windows Activation notification message is designed to scare you into calling a remote tech support phone number.
The Windows Activation message usually says something like “You must activate Windows within 1 day to continue using all Windows features.” The pop-up window may also contain a button that says Activate on it. If you click the Activate button the faux Windows notification will pretend to try to activate Windows and will then give you an alert which says “Windows Helper is unable To Activate Windows Contact Support To Activate.” A webpage may also open in your browser which will direct you to supportforme.com; a fake tech support company.
This alert is purely used to scare you into calling the fake tech support number. A common tech support number associated with this scam is 1-888-479-3649. If you call the fake tech support number they will attempt to make a remote connection to your computer via a program called GoToAssist. Once they have access to your computer they may attempt to load malicious software onto your computer and they will have access to your personal files. The fake tech support company will then attempt to acquire money in order to clean your machine which they infected.
The Windows Activation trojan is usually bundles with freeware and potentially unwanted programs that claim to be something they are not. Like a free YouTube video downloader tool. In reality they tools are never what the claim to be and instead will likely be a Box.exe program that is used to display the fake Windows Activation message.
This program was created to display fake Windows alert messages on your computer in order to trick you into purchasing unnecessary and malicious remove support. If you are infected with the Windows Activation virus please ignore any of the messages that may arrive on your computer and avoid calling the tech support phone numbers. To remove Windows Activation and related files please use our free Windows Activation removal guide below designed to specifically eradicate Windows Activation and other unwanted traces on your computer.
If you paid for fake tech support we recommend to contact your bank or credit institution in order to file a claim to get your money back. Provide your bank or credit card company with as much information as you can about the situation so they have a good understanding of what occurred and how to keep your information safe.
Windows Activation Removal Options
Manual Removal Guide
This manual Windows Activation removal guide contains steps to help you completely remove Windows Activation and other threats from your computer. In order to eradicate this threat please follow each step in order.
Windows Activation Removal Steps
- Step 1: Uninstall unwanted programs via Windows Control Panel
- Step 2: Remove unwanted browser add-ons and extensions
- Step 3: Remove Windows Activation and other threats with Malwarebytes
- Step 4: Remove Windows Activation and existing threats with HitmanPro
- Step 5: Clean-up and repair setting with CCleaner
1. The first step to remove Windows Activation is to uninstall unwanted programs from Windows Control Panel if there is a usable uninstall entry. To uninstall unwanted programs go to Start Menu > Control Panel > Uninstall a Program (or Add and Remove Programs) and search for suspicious programs in the list. Once you have found the program you want to uninstall, double click it to begin the uninstall process. Repeat this step for any other suspicious programs you may have found.
2. The second step to remove Windows Activation is to remove any unwanted browser add-ons and extensions that may have installed from each web browser on your computer.
Google Chrome | Go to Customize and control Google Chrome > More Tools > Extensions |
Mozilla Firefox | Go to Menu > Add-ons |
Microsoft Internet Explorer | Go to Tools > Manage add-ons |
Apple Safari | Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions |
3. The third step to remove Windows Activation is to scan your computer and eradicate malicious files using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
4. Download and Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
5. Open Malwarebytes and click the large blue Scan Now button to begin a scan.
6. Once the scan is complete click the Remove Selected button and Finish button afterwards. If Malwarebytes suggests that you restart your computer please do so.
7. The fourth step to remove Windows Activation is to scan your computer and eradicate malicious files using HitmanPro; a reputable second-opinion scan and removal tool.
8. Download and Install HitmanPro by Surfright.
9. Open HitmanPro and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
10. When the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button and then click the Reboot button. *To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
11. The fifth step to remove Windows Activation is to clean-up and repair settings with CCleaner.
12. Download and Install CCleaner by Piriform.
13. Open CCleaner and go to the main Cleaner screen. Click the Analyze button. When the process is complete, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
14. Go to Tools > Startup and search for suspicious entries in each tab starting from Windows all the way to Content Menu. If you find anything suspicious click it and click the Delete button to remove it.
15. Go to the Registry window and click the Scan for Issues button. When the scan is complete click the Fix selected issues… button and click Fix All Selected Issues.