Saturday 26 March 2011

How to Remove MS Removal Tool (Uninstall Guide)

MS Removal Tool is a rogue security application that comes up with tons of infections and security threats to make you think that your computer is infected with malicious software. This scareware may report up to 30 infections on your computer which do not even exist. Besides, the scan is a little too fast to be real. It charges about $60 to remove the threats and even claims that your PC will be protected against other malware if you choose to purchase the full version of MS Removal Tool. Of course, you shouldn't pay for this rogue AV. By the way, do not confuse this fake application with the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool which is a perfectly legitimate tool. Cyber-criminals clearly want to gain some credibility with well known names here.



The bad news is that MS Removal Tool blocks malware removal tools and system utilities, Task Manager and other even changes your desktop wallpaper. If you click on any desktop icon you'll get a message that the program is infected and that you should run your anti-virus software.



What is more, it constantly displays fake security warnings saying that your computer is infected with viruses, Trojan horses, spyware and other maliclious software.





It may modify Windows Hosts file too. If your computer is being infected by the MS Removal Tool, please follow the removal instructions below. Please be advised, if you pay for this phony security software, you will subjected to monetary theft, or in a worst-case example, ID Theft. There is no guarantee that your credit card details aren't going to be sold to other third parties. Do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance or you have questions regarding removal of MS Removal Tool. Please leave a comment below. Good luck and be safe online!


MS Removal Tool removal instructions (in Safe Mode with Networking):

1. Reboot your computer is "Safe Mode with Networking". As the computer is booting tap the "F8 key" continuously which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode with Networking" and press Enter key. Login as the same user you were previously logged in with in the normal Windows mode.



2. Download recommended anti-malware software (Spyware Doctor) and run a full system scan to remove this rogue anti-virus program from your computer. 

NOTE: in some cases the rogue program may block anti-malware software. Before saving the selected program onto your computer, you may have to rename the installer to iexplore.exe or winlogon.exe With all of these tools, if running Windows 7 or Vista they MUST be run as administrator. Launch the program and follow the prompts. Don't forget to update the installed program before scanning.


Alternate MS Removal Tool removal instructions using HijackThis or Process Explorer (in Normal mode):

1. Download iexplore.exe (NOTE: iexplore.exe file is renamed HijackThis tool from TrendMicro).
Launch the iexplore.exe and click "Do a system scan only" button.
If you can't open iexplore.exe file then download explorer.scr and run it.

2. Search for such entry in the scan results:

Windows XP/2000:
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [fHrPqDaZcCg02547] C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\fHrPqDaZcCg02547\fHrPqDaZcCg02547.exe

Windows Vista/7:
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [fHrPqDaZcCg02547] C:\ProgramData\fHrPqDaZcCg02547\fHrPqDaZcCg02547.exe

The process name will be different in your case [SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe, located in:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\ in Windows XP and C:\ProgramData\ in Windows Vista/7. Select all similar entries and click once on the "Fix checked" button. Close HijackThis tool.

OR you may download Process Explorer and end MS Removal Tool process:
  • [SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe, i.e. fHrPqDaZcCg02547.exe
3. Download recommended anti-malware software (Spyware Doctor) and run a full system scan to remove this rogue anti-virus program from your computer.

NOTE: in some cases the rogue program may block anti-malware software. Before saving the selected program onto your computer, you may have to rename the installer to iexplore.exe or winlogon.exe With all of these tools, if running Windows 7 or Vista they MUST be run as administrator. Launch the program and follow the prompts. Don't forget to update the installed program before scanning.


Associated MS Removal Tool files and registry values:

Files:

For Windows XP users:
  • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS]\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
  • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\fHrPqDaZcCg02547\fHrPqDaZcCg02547.exe
For Windows Vista and Windows 7 users:
  • C:\ProgramData\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS]\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
  • C:\ProgramData\fHrPqDaZcCg02547\fHrPqDaZcCg02547.exe
Registry values:
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce "[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS]"
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