Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus: what it is and how to remove it
Microsoft Warning Alert is a scam that falls into tech support scam category. This fake warning message is typically displayed to users when they are browsing the web without much thinking and enter a wrong URL into the search bar.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Do it yourself · free Remove Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus yourself 3 steps, about 9 minutes, no software needed.
Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus: summary
| Distribution | Software bundling, suspicious ads |
|---|---|
| NameS | Microsoft scam alert |
| Type | Adware |
| Sub-type | Tech support scam |
| Danger level | Medium. Might lead to malware infection, sensitive detail disclosure and lost/stolen money |
| main risks | Redirects to malicious websites; Revealing personal data; Installing fake tools promoted by the scam. Giving a remote control to a hacker |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 10 more facts
| Symptoms | Fake Microsoft alerts redirects to fake support websites |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Imitates | Microsoft support |
| Domains | storage[.]googleapis[.]com |
| Phone number | 800-046-5729 |
| First seen | 30 April 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What the Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus pop-up looks like
** Microsoft Warning Alert **
Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected
Error # 0x80072ee7
Please call us immediately at: 0-800-046-5729
Do not ignore this critical alert.
If you close this page, your computer access will be disabled to prevent further damage to our network.
Your computer has alerted us that it has been infected with a Pornographic Spyware and riskware. The following information is being stolen...
> Financial Data
> Facebook Logins
> Credit Card Details
> Email Account Logins
> Photos stored on this computer
You must contact us immediately so that our expert engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone to protect your identity. Please call us within the next 5 minutes to prevent your computer from being disabled or from any information loss.
Toll Free: 0-800-046-5729
Is the Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus warning real?
- Address:
storage[.]googleapis[.]com - Phone number:
800-046-5729
From our report of Apr 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus
- Malicious programs can trigger various issues, so you should run to find and possibly fix virus damage yourself
- Virus intrusions detected on your computer.
- Your personal data and system files may be at serious risk.
- All system resources are halted to prevent any damage.
- Please call customer service immediately to report these threats now.
What the Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus scammers want
From our report of Apr 2021 · not reviewed since
Microsoft Warning Alert – a scam campaign that claims users are exposed to spyware due to pornographic content
Microsoft Warning Alert is a scam that falls into tech support scam category.
This fake warning message is typically displayed to users when they are browsing the web without much thinking and enter a wrong URL into the search bar. Such search queries can easily redirect them to an unreliable website (storage.googleapis.com in this case) that displays a Microsoft virus alert. However, you should always look for the green HTTPS mark indicating that the page is real.
Additionally, if you have been dealing with such redirects constantly, it means that your system is infected with adware that alters web browsers and additionally reroutes them to predetermined websites. Here, you are urged to contact Microsoft Tech Support via the provided number to get rid of the "spyware and riskware." Unfortunately, users typically end up paying money to cybercriminals without realizing that they just have been scammed.
An ordinary Microsoft virus finds its victim out of nowhere and includes 0x80072ee7 (Error # 0x80072ee7, for example) numbers to make it look even more genuine. Additionally, the virus reports pornographic spyware which can be fixed only by "certified Microsoft technicians." In reality, there is no virus on the system except adware which is redirecting you to the fake tech support pages.
The fake Microsoft spyware alert typically displays the following or similar texts:
There are several variations of the text displayed, but one thing is always the same - crooks are fast to use the name of Microsoft company in order to make their messages more trustworthy.
However, we can assure you that this is a Microsoft virus scam that has nothing to do with real technicians. Keep in mind that they would never ask you to contact them via the telephone - the company also explains that in their scam warning article.
After clicking on the fake Microsoft Warning Alert, you can notice that they are pointing to nowhere. Besides, you should always check the URL of the website sending you such ads - remember that the original company's site is Microsoft.com, not some suspicious microsoft.com-input11.info, critical-microsoft-alert.info, or support.googleapis.com page.
These sites are seeking to look like official ones to gain victims' trust. However, please pay attention to small details such as site's URL or grammar mistakes left in the text - they reveal that the website has no relations with this tech giant.
Usually, users get redirected to Microsoft virus phishing websites when they mistype URLs or browse through shady Internet websites. However, they can also get redirected to them after installing a malicious program on their computers. The malicious program starts redirecting the user to these phishing sites without stopping because its main task is to convince him/her to call fake tech support.
Typical tech support scam, including the Microsoft Warning Alert scam, is seeking to encourage the victim to provide personal details or even credit card details or convince one to purchase a pack of free and useless software. It is not a secret that cybercrooks often sure social engineering expertise to convince users that their personal information and computer safety is at risk.
Additionally, fake technicians threaten users that their machine will be locked to "prevent further damage." Once the call is made by the victim, fraudsters can try to resell a legitimate anti-spyware program for a much higher price and add Adblocker as a "bonus," however you need to know that Adblocker is a free program.
If a Microsoft scam alert is showing fake warnings, perform a thorough system scan with anti-spyware software to find all malicious components that are responsible for redirects to phishing Microsoft websites.
If your machine is clear of PUPs and malware, make sure you close down your Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla Firefox or another browser immediately after redirection to a suspicious site. Before reopening your browser, verify that the previously opened tabs are not opening again.
To remove Microsoft Warning Alert, use to do it quickly and without wasting your time. Note that this is the easiest way to get rid of adware programs from your system which only takes several minutes. Additionally, automatic elimination uninstalls all components which might be supporting the potentially unwanted program.
However, if you decide to challenge yourself and complete Microsoft Warning Alert removal by yourself, make sure that you have the necessary skills and knowledge. Our manual termination guidelines can help you complete the elimination procedure successfully. For that, you are advised to follow the instructions carefully.
Ways to recognize the fake Microsoft Scam Alert
Let us explain how you can distinguish a genuine notification from a Microsoft virus scam. First of all, it doesn't matter if your computer automatically opens or redirects you to such website that is full of official logos. The message is a scam if:
- You get redirected to a shady site that activates pop-up messages;
- The website urges you to call a Microsoft technician within 5 minutes;
- You cannot easily exit the page unless you click on "Prevent this page from creating additional dialogs;"
- Fake alerts often frighten users with the Zeus virus or threaten that your Facebook account or credit card credentials might be stolen as well as display pornographic spyware alert.
From our report of Apr 2021 · not reviewed since
The reason why these fake alerts appear
The main distribution technique employed by the developers of PUPs is bundling their products with free applications and setting Quick/Recommended parameters of the installer as default.
Note that these settings are configured to install all "recommended" pieces of software from third-party partners, and these programs tend to be entirely useless. If you want to avoid installing unwanted programs, better switch pre-selected installation mode to Custom or Advanced one.
Then you will get permission to drop off additional applications bundled with your download, so take this opportunity without any hesitation. Decompose the software pack by deselecting extra programs and then proceed to the next step of software setup.
Also, experts from Bedynet.ru recommend you to avoid opening suspicious email attachments especially if you received them from unknown individuals - these attachments can rapidly compromise the computer without giving you a chance to stop the attack before the damage is done.
How to get rid of the Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus pop-up
The warning is a web page and your PC is not infected by it.
Close it, then remove what keeps bringing it back.
Which browser shows the ads?
Step 1: Remove storage[.]googleapis[.]com from Chrome's notification list
Open More (the three dots) > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications, or paste
chrome://settings/content/notificationsinto the address bar.Under Allowed to send notifications, open the menu next to
storage[.]googleapis[.]comand choose Remove or Block, and do the same for any other address you do not recognise.Next to Not allowed to send notifications, click Add and enter storage[.]googleapis[.]com, so the site cannot ask again. The menus are the same in Chrome on Windows 11 and Windows 10, and each Chrome profile keeps its own list.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications. Full procedure with screenshots: Stop website notifications and pop-ups
Instructions for Google Chrome
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.
Step 1: Remove storage[.]googleapis[.]com from Edge's notification list
Edge stores its own permission list, separate from Chrome's, and it is often the browser behind these pop-ups on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All permissions > Notifications, or paste
edge://settings/content/notifications. Removestorage[.]googleapis[.]comfrom Allowed, then add it under Not allowed to send notifications. Notifications that show the Edge logo come from this list.
Edge on Windows 11: Site permissions > All permissions > Notifications. Full procedure with screenshots: Stop website notifications and pop-ups
Instructions for Microsoft Edge
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.
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.
Step 1: Remove storage[.]googleapis[.]com from Firefox's notification permissions
In Firefox the permission sits in Settings > Permissions and data > Notifications (in older versions Privacy & Security > Notifications > Settings). Select
storage[.]googleapis[.]comin the list, click Remove Website, and confirm with Save Changes.Firefox only shows these notifications while it is open, so if they stopped after closing Firefox, this is the browser to clean. The steps are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Firefox on Windows 11: the Notification Permissions window. Full procedure with screenshots: Stop website notifications and pop-ups
Instructions for Mozilla Firefox
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.
Our tested steps are for Windows 11 and 10. For Safari (Mac), use the instructions below.
Instructions for Safari (Mac)
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.
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.
Then, whichever browser you use
Step 2: Close the page without touching its buttons
The warning is a web page, not Windows, so closing the browser ends it. If the page blocks the browser or goes full screen, press Esc first, then end the browser in Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Start the browser again without restoring the session.
Warning: Do not call
800-046-5729and do not let anyone connect to the PC: the people behind it sell fake repairs.On Windows 11 and Windows 10 the steps are identical.
Full procedure with screenshots: Close a frozen app (Task Manager, Force Quit) On uGetFix
Step 3: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
More removal instructions
For programs installed on the PC and older browsers. Open the one you need.
How do you get rid of fake Microsoft Security Warning
Fake warnings are very common these days, and it is vital to understand how to get rid of them successfully.
To remove Microsoft Warning Alert, you have two options — either eliminate it manually from your web browsers to stop it from appearing or get rid of this thing automatically.
It is clear that the automatic virus termination method is not only faster but also safer. Security software can complete Microsoft spyware alert removal within several minutes, including the elimination of its additional elements which might continue disrupting you if left on the system. Therefore, we strongly suggest relying on the antivirus tool if you are not an experienced computer user.
However, people who want to uninstall Microsoft Security Warning PopUp manually should be aware of the potential dangers which might permanently damage their systems. Note that not only the adware-related components might keep displaying fake warnings, but also you might accidentally delete files that are necessary for your OS.
They are prepared by our IT experts to help you uninstall the Microsoft virus and reset your browser to the primary state.
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.
Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
Questions about Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus
Should I trust a page that says " Microsoft Warning Alert "?
No. Genuine security software reports problems in its own window or in the Windows notification area, never on a website you were redirected to. Pages that say " Microsoft Warning Alert " are built to frighten you into calling a support number, buying a licence through a referral link or installing a so-called cleaner. Do none of those.
Close the tab and, if it opens again by itself, remove the sites allowed to send notifications and any extension you do not recognise. If you already called, paid or installed something, follow the matching section of this guide: each case needs a different next step, from calling your bank to removing a remote-access tool.
Is 800-046-5729 a real Microsoft support number?
No. Microsoft does not put phone numbers in warnings, pop-ups or error messages, and its support never calls you first about a virus. The number 800-046-5729 is used by a scam call centre that pays for traffic to fake warning pages.
If you need help from Microsoft, go to support.microsoft.com yourself and start from there. Never use a number that appeared in a pop-up, an unexpected e-mail or a search ad that looks like a support listing. If you already called, follow the steps in this guide for callers:
- remove any remote tool
- change passwords from another device
- contact the bank if you paid
I clicked on the " Microsoft Warning Alert " pop-up. Am I infected?
Clicking a button on the page usually only opens another page or starts a download. If nothing was downloaded and you did not run any file, the PC is very likely fine, and closing the tab is enough.
If a file was downloaded, delete it from the Downloads folder without opening it. If you opened it, treat the PC as infected: uninstall anything new in Installed apps and run a full scan.
If the page that showed " Microsoft Warning Alert " also led you to type a password or card number, change that password from another device and call your bank. The sections after the removal steps cover each of these cases in order.
I paid the people at 800-046-5729. Can I get my money back?
Often yes, if you act quickly. Card payments can be disputed through your bank as fraud; call the number on the back of the card and explain that you paid a tech support scammer reached at 800-046-5729. Bank transfers are harder, but the bank may recall the payment if you call the same day.
Gift cards can sometimes be frozen if you contact the card issuer with the codes before they are spent. PayPal and similar services have their own dispute forms. Keep every receipt and message, and report the scam to the police or the national fraud office, since banks often ask for a report number.
Is Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus really from Microsoft support?
No. It is a web page made to look like a message from Microsoft support. Websites cannot scan your computer, see your files or know whether your antivirus is active. Real security warnings appear in Windows Security or in your antivirus program, not as browser pages with phone numbers, countdowns or prize wheels.
Close the page; nothing was installed just by seeing it. If you want to check, open Windows Security from the Start menu and run a quick scan. It shows the real status of your protection.
Is storage[.]googleapis[.]com safe?
No. The site storage[.]googleapis[.]com hosts Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus, a page that imitates Microsoft support to scare or lure visitors. Do not open it again to check; the content can change between visits and may include downloads. If you see it once, close the tab.
If it opens by itself, a notification permission, an extension or a redirecting site is sending you there; the steps in this guide remove each of these. You can report the address to your browser so that others get a warning page before it loads.
Is it safe to force-close the browser?
Yes. Ending the browser in Task Manager or restarting the PC does not damage Windows or your files, despite what pages like Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus say.
The warning "do not close this window" is part of the scam. At worst you lose unsaved text in other tabs. After restarting, do not let the browser restore the previous session, because that would reopen the scam page.
If it reopens anyway, open the browser's settings for startup pages and remove the address. Then remove its notification permission if it has one.
How do I avoid pages like Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus?
Keep the browser updated, do not click Allow on notification prompts from sites you do not know, and leave sites that open many pop-ups. Turn on Microsoft Defender SmartScreen in Edge under Settings > Privacy, search, and services, or Safe Browsing in Chrome under Settings > Privacy and security > Security.
Never call numbers, download files or paste commands because a web page told you to. An ad blocker from your browser's official extension store also cuts most redirect ads. Keep Potentially unwanted app blocking on in Windows Security as well.
Is my phone affected by Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus?
Not through the PC. A scam page in a Windows browser cannot reach a phone, even if both use the same account. The sign reported, A browser warning that reads " Microsoft Warning Alert ", happened in a browser on the PC.
Phones can meet similar pages on their own, usually through ads or notifications, and the fix there is the same idea: remove notification permissions and unknown apps. If you used the phone to call a number shown on the page, follow the steps for callers in this guide.
Will Fortect remove Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Microsoft Warning Alert" Tech support scam virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Microsoft: Tech support scams (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to spot, avoid and report tech support scams (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)