What is 000.exe virus? Should I remove it?

000.exe is a malicious executable related to a virus that wipes files from the infected system

000.exe is malware that can be installed on Windows computers to perform malicious actions on it. Initially developed by a YouTuber FlyTech, it was created as more of a joke than something that would provide any real benefit. Indeed, the virus is relatively easy to get rid of, and we will explain how in this article.

While this virus might not be your dangerous malware infection spread by sophisticated cybercriminal groups, it does not mean that its presence should be ignored. In fact, when it comes to the malware's function, it is almost impossible to ignore it, as it would make the operation of a Windows computer unbearable.

Luckily, it is not that difficult to remove the 000.exe virus from your system. Below we will explain more about its functionality, what's its goal, how to clean your system properly from it and repair damaged Windows components efficiently. Likewise, we also provide general tips for better security to avoid dangerous malware infections in the future.

000.exe brings several payloads onto the system

While malware is relatively old by now, it is still available to download from the internet. The developer does not propagate malware, although that does not mean that other parties can't undertake this job. Therefore, there is a chance that you still might get infected with it if you are not careful.

Keep in mind that User Account Control would always warn you before you execute unsolicited files, so you have all means to prevent the infection in the first place. In other words, 000.exe does not have a UAC bypass mechanism^[1] and needs to be approved by the user before starting to run.

Once installed on the system, the initial payload would attempt to delete pre-installed Windows apps, such as Microsoft Store, OneDrive, Photos, and others. This could render several components of the system unusable in any capacity.

While removal of some Windows apps might seem pretty bad, the virus also disables File Explorer (explorer.exe), which would remove many of Windows functions, such as taskbar. It also stops users from calling up the Task Manager, which is usually mandatory to shut the malicious processes that the virus employs.

Besides this, there are plenty of rather disturbing changes that the 000.exe brings. Soon after infiltration, it loads a video of a creepy road, which changes colors constantly. Likewise, it would also change the Windows user account name to “UR NEXT.”

Soon after these changes, malware reboots the computer automatically, which allows it to implement its secondary payload. This time, the infection becomes even more apparent: the desktop wallpaper is changed to a black one, a new pop-up with “run away” is spawned every second, various locations are filled with “UR NEXT” Notepad files, etc. In other words, the virus creates havoc on the infected machine.

All in all, the virus is of a destructive nature and does not have any other purpose than that. It does not seek to steal information or encrypt files – it's just there to annoy you and cause distress. Proceed with the next paragraph to find out how to remove it effectively.

Remove malware from your computer

Many users who do get infected by the virus panic, as they are not sure what is going on with their systems. Intensive spam of pop-ups and creepy messages can make anyone uneasy. That being said, it is very easy to determine that the computer has been infected, and virus removal should be performed as soon as possible.

However, this task might be more difficult than one might think due to heavy changes that are made to 000.exe virus-infected systems. For example, without the task manager, malicious processes are difficult to stop for regular computer users. Therefore, the best thing to do is access the Safe Mode first to stop the virus from operating:

Windows 7 / Vista / XP

1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
   
   
2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
   
3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
5. Click Restart now.
   
6. Select Troubleshoot.
7. Go to Advanced options.
8. Select Startup Settings.
9. Press Restart.
10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Once in Safe Mode, launch a powerful security software, such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes, and perform a full system scan. Note that accessing Safe Mode is only necessary if the virus somehow interferes with the operation of security software – it depends on the virus version you have installed.

For future reference, we recommend you stay away from websites that could potentially host malicious payloads. While it might be interesting to explore some less-visited sites on the internet, keep in mind that less regulated places often attract malicious actors who spread malware.

Other ways malware can be distributed:

• Malicious spam emails, especially those that carry macro-enabled documents;^[2]
• Weakly protected remote desktop (RDP) connections;
• Pirated program installers and software cracks;
• Fake advertisements, especially those of Flash Player;
• Software vulnerabilities.^[3]

Fix damaged system files

Once a computer is infected with malware, its system is changed to operate differently. For example, an infection can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup, and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not capable of doing anything about it, leaving it just the way it is. Consequently, users might experience performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstallation is required.

Therefore, we highly recommend using a one-of-a-kind, patented technology of FortectIntego repair. Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it is also capable of removing malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program. Besides, the application is also capable of fixing various Windows-related issues that are not caused by malware infections, for example, Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc.

• Download the application by clicking on the link above
• Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
• Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
• The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
• Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
• You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
• If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.