“Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” virus (Improved Guide)
“Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” virus Removal Guide
What is “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” virus?
“Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” error – what should be your next move after this pop-up appears?
If you have unexpectedly encountered a request to “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows,” chances are, your computer is infected with “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” malware, which is better known as Fake Windows Activation virus. This virus proliferates due to Trojan horse technique used for its distribution and manages to infect many computers this way. Once installed, this malicious program launches a fake screen stating that user’s Windows copy did not pass genuine validation/appears to be pirated/or cannot be activated for some other feigned reason. Such virus ALWAYS displays a “Toll-free” technical support number asking the victim to dial it for help. In this case, the virus can display this or a similar line in the message:
Contact Support US/CA Toll-Free 1-800-931-9159
However, people behind phony 1-800-931-9159 tech support line are scammers who seek to take advantage of miserable users who do not know how real Windows Activation screens look. Scammers that pose as “certified Microsoft technicians” typically just pull the wool over victim’s eyes and tell tales that computer has some problems that can be fixed only with particular paid software. However, scammers might also ask you to provide personal information, for example, credit card details, for some bizarre reason, for instance, “to verify your identity.” In some cases, scammers ask to provide them remote access to the computer so that they can fix the computer. Do not react to such trickeries and stay cautious. If you ever call a vague tech support number and the person on another end of call asks you to buy a particular software, provide your bank card details or even give him/her remote access to your PC, hang up. For “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” removal, we recommend using the FortectIntego software. You must remove “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” without any hesitations because the program displaying this screen to you can be more dangerous than it seems at first sight.
How such malware gets into the system?
You can unknowingly install “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” malware when installing another deceptive program using Default or Standard setup settings. Please, do not rely on these settings and better opt for Custom or Advanced option. Either one or another option gives the opportunity to see additional downloads bundled with your selected software and allows you to opt-out unwanted ones. Alternatively, you might install this malware after opening a malicious email attachment, visiting a deceptive website and downloading some files from it, or by performing other reckless activities online without following safe-browsing practices.
How to uninstall “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” malware?
If you wish to remove “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” virus, you should follow instructions given below. Boot your computer into Safe Mode first and then update your antivirus to update its database and make it capable of identifying this threat. If you do not have an anti-malware tool, you can install FortectIntego or another trustworthy program. You can also find some other recommended programs below the article. Let it scan your computer system, do not interrupt it, and it will automatically complete “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” removal.
Getting rid of “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
In order to defeat the virus, you have to carry out the following instructions to restart your computer and start it in a Safe Mode with Networking. Then use the anti-malware tool that you have or download one of the recommended ones and use it to check your system for malware that displays the “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” lock screen.
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.
Remove “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” using System Restore
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
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Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
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Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
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Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
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When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows”. After doing that, click Next.
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Now click Yes to start system restore.
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from “Validate copy of your Microsoft Windows” and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting malware
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 Private Internet Access 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, or 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, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
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