“Error #0x80072ee7” alert: genuine or fake?

“Error #0x80072ee7” virus is another browser-based tech support scam sample. However, such statement may not answer your “what is error 0x80072ee7” question. More specifically, this browser infection is also known by the name of Microsoft or Windows Warning Alert 0x80072ee7. It attempts to persuade that victim's device is infected with spyware. In order to save important data from theft, the message urges users to call 0-800-046-5735. Note that the number may vary as there are dozens of Microsoft Warning Alert scams. This infection targets Chrome, Internet Explorer, and other browsers. It operates via adware[1] scripts.
Here is an extract from the scam message:
** Microsoft Warning Alert **
Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected
Error # 0x80072ee7
Please call us immediately at: 0-800-046-5735
Do not ignore this critical alert.
“Error 0x80072ee7” tech support scam website may temporarily paralyze your browser. As a result, exiting the page with the fake message might be troublesome. You may exit the fraudulent page by marking the box “Prevent this page from creating additional dialogues.” If that does not help, press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC. When Task Manager opens, find the task indicating your browser, right-click on it and choose “End task.”
Usually, such “Microsoft support error code 0x80072ee7” scam is only tied to the browser. In other words, you can simply get rid of it by shutting the browser. However, there are cases when this browser infection drops a few unwanted files on an operating system. In that case, review the list of system applications. Delete shady ones, especially the ones with “Unknown” publisher.
The scam website mimics Microsoft Support page[2]; hence, inexperienced computer users can be easily tricked by the scammers and believe that it’s a legitimate service. However, we want to remind that legitimate Microsoft support service does not ask to call and especially does not give you a deadline to do it.
When on this malicious website, the adware program generates a pop-up message which looks like an ordinary browser’s notification. However, the message warns about detected malicious content that might be related to pornographic spyware[3] or riskware[4].
Instead of making the call, you have to remove “Error 0x80072ee7” virus from the computer with a help of FortectIntego, MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, or another anti-malware program.
The purpose of Microsoft Warning Alert Error #0x80072ee7a is to make people call[5] the provided phone number for several reasons. For example, this call may be charged a lot even if scammers state opposite, or they want to get your personal information or access to your computer.
In the pop-up message, “Error # 0x80072ee7” malware informs that victim’s computer is in a serious danger. Scammers warn that due to the malware attack, a person has already lost data:
- credit card information;
- Facebook and email logins;
- photos and images stored on the computer'
To make the situation look even more dangerous, they claim that ignoring this warning may lead to even bigger problems. Those who want to protect themselves from further damage have to call provided phone number 1-800-953-457. However, fake tech support service won’t help you.
All they can do is to cause you more problems or convince to buy fake security tools. We highly recommend getting rid of this misleading warning by initiating “Error 0x80072ee7” removal using one of our presented methods at the end of the article.

Dealing with tech support scams
The adware program which is responsible for bringing “Error # 0x80072ee7” virus to the computer spreads in the software bundles. This potentially unwanted application is attached as an optional component in the software package and gets inside the system when a user forgets to opt out it from the optional downloads list, or he or she chooses the wrong installation mode.
Often users have to choose whether they want to install a new program under Quick/Standard or Advanced/Custom settings. The former choice often may lead to Microsoft Error 0x80072ee7 hijack. The same way travels other potentially unwanted programs, so you have to get used to installing software under Advanced/Custom mode.
It allows to monitor the process and reject installation of the unwanted apps. Also, before installing new programs, you should read the Privacy Policy, EULA or other official documents because they reveal whether you can trust the developer or not. Now let us move on “Windows Warning Alert Error 0x80072ee7” removal section.
Terminate “Error 0x80072ee7” browser infection
Nevertheless, you can remove adware program manually; we highly recommend initiating “Error 0x80072ee7” removal automatically. Security software will eliminate all web scripts associated with this scam. Resetting the browser may be practical as well.
It might be hard to find all adware-related components on the system and web browsers. Hence, it may take hours to investigate the system and stop these redirects to the misleading site. However, if you still want to remove “Error 0x80072ee7” manually, please carefully follow our prepared step-by-step guide below.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

Did this guide help?
3 comments
luke
the scam page looks identical to microsofts. i bet scammers fooled lots of people
Diego
Error 0x80072ee7 has been bothering me for days!
jessy
this warning shocked me a lot! luckily, I decided to look for the information online, and found out that its a scam. I hope no one got tricked by those evil people.