PyLocky ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
PyLocky ransomware is a dangerous cyber threat which is designed to use the combination of AES and RSA ciphers to encrypt most widely used files on the targeted computer. Security researchers note that this file-encrypting virus is an imposter of the infamous Locky ransomware.
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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PyLocky ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Systems can get infected via malicious spam emails |
|---|---|
| Name | PyLocky |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Also known as | Locky Locker |
| Danger level | High. Might perform system changes |
| Executable files | lock.exe; Facture_25.07.2018_991030.exe |
| 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 15 more facts
| Cryptography | AES and RSA |
|---|---|
| Extension | .locky; .lockedfile, .lockymap |
| Ransom note | LOCKY-README.txt |
| Decryption | French Authorities released a version of the decryption tool for pyLocky virus. Download |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | .locky |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .locky |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 14 June 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.locky - Note file:
LOCKY-README.txt
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on PyLocky
- The safest way to get rid of Locky Locker virus is to scan the computer with or another reputable antivirus
The PyLocky ransomware note
Please be adviced:
All your files, pictures document and data has been encrypted with Military Grade Encryption RSA AES-256.
Your information is not lost. But Encrypted.
In order for you to restore your files you have to purchase Decrypter.
Follow this steps to restore your files.
1* Download the Tor Browser. ( Just type in google "Download Tor" ).
2* Browse to URL :
3* Purchase the Decryptor to restore your files.
It is very simple. If you don't believe that we can restore your files, then you can restore 1 file of image format for free.
Be aware the time is ticking. Price will be doubled every 96 hours so use it wisely.
How to remove PyLocky ransomware
Tools you'll need
All of these are free except where noted. Download them on a clean device if the infected PC is offline.
- A USB stick: to keep the ransom note, two or three encrypted files and screenshots off the infected PC.
- Microsoft Defender Offline: built into Windows 11 and Windows 10; scans before Windows starts, so running malware cannot hide.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner: a second, portable scanner with current signatures; each download works for 10 days.
- ID Ransomware: identifies the family from the note and one encrypted file and says whether a decryptor exists.
- No More Ransom: the free decryptors from police and security companies; check it again every few months.
- Fortect (optional): scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. The free scan is in the box above.
How to remove PyLocky and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
PyLocky encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family
Copy
LOCKY-README.txtand one or two files ending in.lockyto a USB stick, and leave the originals where they are.From another device, upload the note and a sample file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note, the extension and the file structure.
Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note, because a decryptor or the police may ask for them.
Warning: Never contact the attackers from the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
For PyLocky, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while PyLocky still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- 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.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
PyLocky ransomware is a Locky ransomware-copying cryptovirus that can be decrypted
PyLocky ransomware is a dangerous cyber threat which is designed to use the combination of AES and RSA ciphers to encrypt most widely used files on the targeted computer.
Security researchers note that this file-encrypting virus is an imposter of the infamous Locky ransomware. Once the virus infiltrates the system, it marks the encoded information with one of these extensions:
- .locky
- .lockymap
- .lockedfile
As a result, it becomes unusable.
Victims also receive LOCKY-README.txt ransom note which informs them about decryption solution and demands to pay the ransom in Bitcoins. Alternatively, this infection might use the name of Locky Locker ransomware and reach the system as lock.exe or Facture_25.07.2018_991030.exe files.
In August 2018, PyLocky virus came out with the version that contains .lockedfile extension. The malware is actively targeting France with the help of spam sent from ouisorties[.]fr service. However, this latest version is available in four different languages in total:
- English
- French
- Italian
- Korean
French Authorities come up with a pyLocky decryptor that can help with encrypted files. This is a free tool helpful for victims of the first two versions. French law enforcement and the French Homeland Security Informations Technology and systems service alongside volunteer researchers developed this decryptor.
Usually, PyLocky ransomware might reach the systems if the user opens a malicious email attachment with the payload of the virus. Afterward, the crypto-malware starts encrypting information on the affected computer and makes it unusable.
After the successful encryption this ransomware places ransom note in every system folder, that contains encrypted files. The most recent version of this PyLocky ransomware uses a ransom message written in four different languages. Starting the message with English and then following with versions in French, Italian and even Korean.
The English part of the ransom note states the following:
Criminals inform that user's data is encrypted with military-grade algorithms and one must pay the ransom for Locky Locker decryption software. The victim must download the Tor browser and purchase the decryptor with Bitcoins. These precise instructions allow the hackers to remain anonymous as the illegal transactions cannot be traced back to the attackers.
However, experts strongly advise PyLocky ransomware victims not to pay the ransom. Even though it might seem intimidating as criminals indicate the price of decrypter is doubled every 96 hours, there are alternative ways how you can get back your data. Additionally, cybercriminals are not the ones you should trust.
This virus is alive and updated, so it means that you need to be cautious if you are affected by any version of PyLocky ransomware. The latest variant is targeting France, according to cybersecurity experts. However, even if most of the known victims are from there, there is still an opportunity that this malware spreads around the whole world.
Researchers indicate that in most cases victims are demanded to pay more money once they agree to the initial amount of the ransom. Furthermore, a vast of users are left without the decryption software after the transaction. Thus, you should refrain from paying the ransom and remove PyLocky ransomware instead if you found .lockedfile, .lockymap and similar file extensions added to your data.
After PyLocky ransomware removal, you will be able to use alternative data recovery solutions. Our experts have prepared a list of effective tools which can help you retrieve files encrypted by ransomware. Although, you must first eliminate the infection.
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
Ransomware executables are hidden inside spam emails
Those who wonder how their computers got infected with ransomware should be aware of the most prominent distribution techniques which allow the criminals to take over devices.
Now, most file-encrypting viruses spread via malspam campaigns.
In other terms, hackers obfuscate ransomware payloads as legitimate and innocent files and attach them to spam emails. In most cases, users can receive malicious letters which supposedly come from well-known companies or governmental institutions.
Once the attachment of the email is opened, it drops the payload of the malware and starts data encryption. Therefore, users should closely monitor their inboxes and never click on any suspicious files. Additionally, it is wise to employ an antivirus with real-time protection to avoid ransomware attacks.
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
pyLocky decryptor available for versions 1 and 2
Since the beginning of pyLocky distribution, it was more active in Europe and many victims were reported in France.
This ransomware targets all:
- everyday users
- associations
- large businesses
- which makes it even more severe
- harmful
The tool developed by the French Authorities and researchers can help with files locked by the criminals who used .lockedfile, .lockymap, and .locky markers. These are the first two version of the PyLocky cryptovirus.
The victims who got affected by the file-encrypting virus can recover their files for free with the tool that you can directly download here.
There are a few requirements for the system for the tool to work. Java Runtime should be installed and then you can get a decryptor and launch it by double-clicking on the PyLocky_Decryptor_V1_V2.jar file. There are thorough instructions in the same zip file that you can download via the provided link.
The fact that decryption tool for pyLocky ransomware got developed may indicate that researchers got on the command and control server to get private encryption keys for these two versions or found a flaw in the encryption algorithm. Nevertheless, you should use this tool for your files, but remember to clean the system with anti-malware tools to get rid of the ransomware itself.
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
Terminate PyLocky virus before more files are affected
It is essential to understand how dangerous ransomware-type infections are and how important it is to remove PyLocky ransomware in time.
Otherwise, this crypto-malware might either encode more essential files or infiltrate the system with more malicious programs.
For PyLocky ransomware removal, you must get help from professionals. Researchers suggest using or , as they are easy-to-use and completes the procedure within several minutes.
After you uninstall PyLocky ransomware, you can head to data recovery. Note that there are professional programs which are designed to help crypto-malware victims. The instructions on how to use alternative decryption tools are presented at the end of this article.
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
Remove pyLocky ransomware by following the steps in the video removal guide
The cryptovirus imposter that poses as another ransomware on purpose, should be removed before any processes of data recovery.
Ransomware not only affects the performance of your machine, but can also damage files recovered before eliminating the threat completely. pyLocky virus can be terminated, just follow the video exactly and get rid of the intruder.
[GI=method-1]PyLocky ransomware might prevent you from installing an antivirus. For this purpose, you must disable the virus by booting your PC into Safe Mode:
This tool is designed to recover data if it has been accidentally deleted or compromised in other ways.
Windows Previous Versions feature allows users to recover information
If System Restore function has been enabled before malware attack, users can travel back in time and get back the access to encoded data.
ShadowExplorer tool might help ransomware victims
This software uses Shadow Volume Copies to recover encrypted information. If PyLocky ransomware hasn't deleted them or corrupted in other ways, users are advised to try this tool.
Decryption tool is available.
You can find all the information about the French-developed decryption tool here.
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Make the next attack harmless
PyLocky could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .locky and no longer open) showed exactly which ones those were.
The 3-2-1 rule fixes that:
- three copies
- two media
- one disconnected
A practical version for a home PC: OneDrive or another cloud backup with version history, plus an external disk that you plug in once a week for File History and then unplug. Test a restore now and then by opening a few files from the backup on another device.
Details, schedules and what not to back up are in our 3-2-1 backup guide for Windows.
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online.
One of the basic means to add a layer of security - choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features.
However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful VPN - it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable.
Family photos, work documents, school projects - these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur:
- power cuts
- Blue Screen of Death errors
- hardware failures
- crypto-malware attack
- even accidental deletion
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
Questions about PyLocky ransomware
How do I open .locky files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .locky has been encrypted. The only ways back are a working decryptor for the family, or clean copies from elsewhere:
- OneDrive versions
- File History
- an offline backup drive
- Previous Versions if the ransomware did not delete them
Identify the family first by uploading the ransom note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom. Avoid websites and programs that promise to open any encrypted file; they do not work and some are scams.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
Is there a free PyLocky decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for PyLocky no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.
Ignore sites and videos that offer a "PyLocky decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
How did PyLocky get on my computer?
The way PyLocky spreads has not been documented yet, so look at your own recent activity. On home PCs, ransomware most often comes with cracked programs, game cheats, key generators and fake updates, or with an e-mail attachment that was opened. On business networks, attackers usually log in through Remote Desktop with a stolen or guessed password.
Think back to what was downloaded or installed in the days before files that end in .locky and no longer open, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Did PyLocky steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by PyLocky, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .locky and no longer open, which says nothing about what happened before. Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.
From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.
Is PyLocky the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Should I open LOCKY-README.txt?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text LOCKY-README.txt cannot harm the PC. Be careful with notes in HTA or HTML format: double-clicking those runs them in a window that can contain scripts, so right-click and choose Open with > Notepad instead.
The note tells you the contact addresses, the claimed amount and the deadline. Do not visit links or write to the addresses from this PC. Use the note to identify the family and check for a free decryptor first.
My files got .locky overnight. What happened?
Ransomware often runs at night or when the PC is idle, so the encryption finishes before anyone notices. It usually entered earlier through a cracked program, a fake installer, an e-mail attachment or remote desktop with a weak password.
The .locky extension marks every file it reached. Start by disconnecting the PC from the network, then identify the family from the ransom note and one encrypted file, check for a decryptor, and look for copies in backups and OneDrive before you consider anything else.
Will Fortect remove PyLocky?
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 PyLocky, 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
- Wikipedia: RSA (cryptosystem) (read October 6, 2026)
- Cybermalveillance: PyLocky ransomware (ransomware) decryption tool versions 1 and 2 (read October 6, 2026)
- Lifehacker: What Is Tor and Should I Use It? (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)