Troldesh ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Troldesh ransomware - a dangerous virus that hails from Russia. The virus was recently spotted spreading new campaigns all over Russia, Mexico, and the U.S.
Facts checked October 7, 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.
Automatic
Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.
Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.
Before you restore backups, a full scan can confirm the program that added .xtbl is gone.
Do it yourself · free Remove Troldesh ransomware yourself 6 steps, about 18 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
Troldesh ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Phishing emails, spam campaigns, other malware |
|---|---|
| Name | Troldesh |
| Type | Ransomware |
| File marker | .xbtl or .cbtl |
| Versions | Shade ransomware and No_more_ransom virus |
| Malicious files added on the system | csrss.exe, state.tmp |
| 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 16 more facts
| Ransom note | README.txt; the text of the note is not in our records |
|---|---|
| Known since | 2014 |
| Known to install | Pony, teamspy RAT, banking trojans and other malware |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | gerkaman@aol.com.xtbl |
| Encrypted file extension | .xtbl |
| 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, a ransom note left in folders and a Windows Security "Threats found" notification |
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .xtbl |
| Attacker contacts | gerkaman@aol.com.xtbl |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 26 June 2019 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Ransom:Win32/Troldesh.A |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Which name will your scanner show?
Microsoft's name for Troldesh is Ransom:Win32/Troldesh.A.
Defender sorts threats by category first, so the word before the colon tells you what kind of program was found, even if the family name means nothing to you.
Do not search for a removal tool by the detection name alone; fake "removal tools" use the same keywords. How the naming works is explained in our guide to antivirus detection names.
- File extension:
.xtbl - Note file:
README.txt - Contact:
gerkaman@aol.com.xtbl
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Troldesh
- The security software developers and malware researchers Avast discovered more than 100 000 attacks in 2019 by this particular strain of the cryptovirus.
- Use anti-malware tool to remove Troldesh ransomware and clean the machine with to eliminate virus damage
- We see a spike in the number of its attacks that is probably more to do with Troldesh operators trying to push this strain harder and more effectively than any kind of significant code update.
How Troldesh ransomware behaves
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
Troldesh is the cryptovirus that keeps on encrypting users' files since 2014 and remains active in 2019
Troldesh ransomware - a dangerous virus that hails from Russia.
The virus was recently spotted spreading new campaigns all over Russia, Mexico, and the U.S. Various phishing email campaigns and social media messaging platforms knowingly help to deliver the ransomware with malicious links and infected files.
With the help of the asymmetric algorithm, Troldesh virus is capable of encrypting a broad range of audio, video, excel, and similar files. After it finishes this procedure, it appends .xtbl, .crypted000007, .dexter, .da_vinci_code, .no_more_ransom and .magic_software_syndicate file extensions to damaged data. Also, it changes the wallpaper into the ransom note filled with links to Tor addresses. The ransom note can be written either in English or in Russian.
Alternatively, Troldesh ransomware is known as CrySis ransomware, xtbl, Shade, Virus Encoder, Green_Ray, Ecovector, and gerkaman@aol.com.xtbl. All its versions function as file-encrypting threats: they encrypt victim's files and request to pay a ransom. First signs of this virus were noticed back in 2015. Two years later, security experts find it as one of the most productive ransomware viruses.
The ransom which is required by Troldesh virus varies from 0.5 to 1.5 BTC. However, having in mind that ransomware has started using such movement tools as Mimikatz, the ransom can increase and, in most cases, is based on the value of the victims' data.
According to Troldesh ransomware developers, Russian hackers, making this ransom payment is the only way to acquire two different keys, public and private, and recover lost data, so there is no surprise that users keep paying. As a result, the ransomware business is now considered to generate $2 billion per year.
Needless to say, you should not give in to the pressure of hackers and pay a required ransom because it does not guarantee the retrieval of encrypted information. Instead, opt for Troldesh ransomware removal to prevent the further loss of your files.
Troldesh uses private and public keys that are mathematically interrelated, so files that are encrypted with a public key can only be decoded with the private key. You can feel safer if you have an extra copy of each of your file. In this case, you can avoid making the required payment. However, note that you have to remove Troldesh ransomware first before proceeding to the data recovery procedure.
While the requirement to pay the ransom is given in Russian and English, it is believed that Russia and English-speaking countries are the main targets. In the beginning, the virus tended to use the TOR browser to monitor the payments received from the victims.
Recently, it has been observed that it switched to another way of communication. In the README.txt file, Troldesh presents an email address. Thus, when victims contact them, cybercriminals indicate the amount of ransom. Surprisingly, after contacting the hackers directly, some users even managed to negotiate with hackers and succeeded in receiving a discount!
If you have never been infected with ransomware, we highly recommend thinking about backups of your files right now! Keep in mind that ransomware business is booming and one of six email messages is set to infect users and block their files.
To keep them protected, you can choose from several options. More information about them is given in this post: Why do I need backup and what options do I have for that?
It may seem that making the payment is the easiest way to remove Troldesh, you should never do that because it is likely that you will end up with lost money and no recovered data at all. In addition, you will support hackers and their future crimes in this way.
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
Troldesh ransomware 2019 attacks
June 2019 came with new reports about Troldesh files virus and the recent attacks that show the spikes on cryptovirus attacks in Russia, Mexico, and the United States.
Researchers blocked hundreds of thousands of virus attacks that started the most active in January and lasted up until June 24th.
These campaigns also show the new distribution technique - social network campaigns, during which the malicious links get delivered via messaging applications and phishing emails. In the report researchers state that the malware seems to be dangerous and possibly will stay prevalent in the future:
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
Troldesh versions
Shade ransomware.
It is known that these two ransomware viruses are related. To encrypt victim's files, it uses identical AES-256 encryption and generates two different keys for the user. Shade is also known to use .7h9r, .xtbl, .ytbl, .da_vinci_code, no_more_ransom, .better_call_saul, .heisenberg, .breaking_bad, and .windows10 file extensions to mark encrypted files. The ransom note is saved in README.txt file.
Virus Encoder uses AES encryption keys to lock out the target information. Moreover, the virus has a distinctive feature – it hides a decryption key in its command and control server. The virus attaches .xtbl extension to all corrupted files and asks paying a ransom in the same "README.txt" file. The ransom note is written in Russian and English.
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
The distribution method of the ransomware
Troldesh ransomware or any other similar threat spreads through several means.
The main of them is considered spam. Security experts have already warned users about misleading emails that claim to be important messages from governmental authorities, reputable companies, etc. It seems that one out of six emails is filled with infected email attachments.
If you have recently received an email informing of a delivered package or urging you to review invoice details, do not make any reckless actions. Before opening such emails or attachments, contact the company directly. If you believe that an email is fake and could be related to spammers or hackers, you should never click on its attachment.
Besides, cybercriminals use corrupted websites that barely differ from the original and legitimate websites. If you found yourself on a website that seems too good to be true, you need to leave it without wasting your time.
Additionally, make sure you stay away from suspicious pop-up ads which might be offering free updates, unbelievable prizes, and similar things. If you click on such ads or visit the mentioned websites, you might let ransomware to your system. Cybersecurity specialists report that this virus infects systems in a form of trojan-Ransom.Win32.Shade.
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
Update on ransomware distribution
Current samples of Troldesh are detected as fake TPVCGateway.exe files.
It belongs to ThinPrint Virtual Channel Gateway command developed by a mobile software manufacturer Cortado AG. Crooks employ the same technique as other ransomware. By disguising the malware under the name of popular programs or files, they expect victims to execute them without any suspicions.
The recent analysis also reveals that the malware is detected as Gen:Variant.Razy.167623, Gen:Variant.Razy.167623, or Ransom:Win32/Troldesh.A . It suggests that the malware is related to another well-known virtual threat – Razy ransomware.
The latter threat has released its updated version under the name of Salsa virus. It implies that the same gang of felons might be behind these threats. Furthermore, it has been revealed that Kelihos botnet is responsible for the cyber campaign of this threat. Therefore, you should stay vigilant and strengthen the protection of the device by keeping your system applications up-to-date.
The Troldesh ransomware note
The note is called README.txt.
We did not record the full text of the ransom note in our report.
How to remove Troldesh 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 Troldesh 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
Troldesh 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
README.txtand one or two files ending in.xtblto 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 Troldesh, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 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 Troldesh 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
Troldesh ransomware removal tips
Keep in mind that closing a huge black warning message, claiming that your files are blocked, is not enough to eliminate this ransomware.
Otherwise, it can initiate the second encryption of your files.
The software will reveal each of malicious files, their location, and will remove all these components with only one click, so it will greatly speed up the elimination process.
After that, you should start thinking about all the possible alternatives for file recovery. If you have their extra copies saves somewhere in portable hard drives, clouds or even simple CDs, you can recover these files with their help. Otherwise, please, follow the data recovery tips presented by our experts.
Speaking of ransomware prevention means, you should restrain from opening spam emails which contain suspicious attachments, avoid visiting insecure file sharing domains, and update your security programs regularly.
If you encountered problems related to Troldesh virus removal, use instructions provided below.
[GI=method-1]To eliminate this virus with the help of Safe Mode, use these steps before launching the anti-spyware tool.
[GI=method-2]To remove Troldesh ransomware with System Restore, you need to use the following rules.
Nonetheless, the program cannot assure that all of tyour files will be decrypted since it was originally designed to restore lost data after a system crash.
Make use of Shadow Expplorer
This tool works on the basis of shadow volume copies, so there are high chances that you may restore encoded documents and files.
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.
Protect the files you restore
Restore only after the scans are clean and the PC no longer shows files that end in .xtbl and no longer open; otherwise the restored copies can be damaged again.
Then build a backup that survives the next infection:
- one copy in the cloud with version history
- one on an external drive that is disconnected between backups
- the working copy on the PC
Version history matters because a backup that syncs damaged files overwrites the good ones.
How to do this with the tools built into Windows: the 3-2-1 backup rule on 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 Troldesh ransomware
How do I open .xtbl files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .xtbl 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.
Should I pay the ransom in README.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from README.txt and one encrypted file, check No More Ransom for a free decryptor, and look for clean copies in OneDrive, backups and Previous Versions.
Paying funds further attacks, may be illegal if the group is sanctioned, and is no promise of a working key: many victims get partial or broken decryption. If you consider paying for business-critical data, involve the police and a professional incident responder first, and never pay through intermediaries who promise their own decryption.
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.
Is there a free Troldesh decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Troldesh 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 "Troldesh 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 Troldesh get on my computer?
The way Troldesh 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 .xtbl 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 Troldesh steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Troldesh, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .xtbl 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 Troldesh 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.
What does README.txt tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name README.txt, the wording, the contact addresses and the format of the personal ID are typical for each family. Uploading the note together with one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff usually names the family within seconds.
That name decides your options: some families have free decryptors, some can be partially recovered, and some cannot be decrypted at all. The note's claims about stolen data should be taken seriously but not at face value.
What does the name Ransom:Win32/Troldesh.A tell me?
Microsoft builds names in a fixed order:
- category
- then platform
- then family
- sometimes followed by a variant letter
- a suffix
The category is the most useful part for you. Trojan, Backdoor and PWS mean real malware that can download more, give remote access or steal passwords. PUA means unwanted software.
Ransom means ransomware. Suffixes such as !ml or !MTB mean the detection came from machine learning or behaviour analysis. Search for the family part of Ransom:Win32/Troldesh.A together with the word Microsoft to find its entry in Microsoft's security encyclopedia.
Will Fortect remove Troldesh?
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 Troldesh, 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
- Avast: Ransomware strain Troldesh spikes again – Avast tracks new attacks (read October 7, 2026)
- Twitter: A lot of #Troldesh #ransomware samples with a '.crypted000007' extension spreading during the last week (read October 7, 2026)
- infosecurity group magazine: Troldesh Nabs Top Ransomware Spot (read October 7, 2026)
- cyberscoop: Ransomware is now a $2 billion-per-year criminal industry (read October 7, 2026)
- Virustotal: TPVCGateway (read October 7, 2026)