WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus: what it is and how to remove it
WanaCrypt0r 2.0 virus is a spin-off version of the original WannaCry ransomware which has recently burst out on the web, encrypting thousands of computers worldwide . The original variant of the ransomware has caused a lot of damage for the home users and major organizations alike.
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.
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WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | Not named in our report; the text of the note is not in our records |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| 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 8 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps |
| Evidence | 3 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 15 May 2017 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
How WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus behaves
From our report of May 2017 · not reviewed since
WanaCrypt0r 2.0 is a malicious WannaCry follow up
WanaCrypt0r 2.0 virus is a spin-off version of the original WannaCry ransomware which has recently burst out on the web, encrypting thousands of computers worldwide .
The original variant of the ransomware has caused a lot of damage for the home users and major organizations alike. The security researchers seemed to have managed to find a weak spot in the parasite's code and activated a temporary "Kill Switch," but that did not stop the malware from causing havoc on the web.
There are a few versions of the virus spreading around, so while the "kill switch" works for one, it may not necessarily work for another. Nevertheless, what appalled experts the most was a discovery that WannaCry 2 only uses the code of the original virus, but seems to be a work of a completely different group of hackers.
Naturally, this virus differs from the rest of the ransomware variants including WannaCryptor, WanaCrypt0r and WCry. And looking at it now, this rip-off ransomware seems to be even more complex and can end up being more destructive than the original. That's primarily because this virus does not have the termination function.
The program's code was apparently altered by someone via Hex Editor, disabling the kill switch. Besides, the software still seems to be in the developmental stages, so it does not implement full functionality on the infected computers. On the other hand, knowing how active the cyber criminals are, the patches and improvements are probably already on their way.
Thus, you should be prepared to stand up for your files and prevent their corruption in case of possible ransomware attack. One of the ways to do that is to disable the SMB (Server Message Block) function that the hackers typically exploit to break into the system.
However, the most guaranteed way to truly secure your data is to create backup copies of your important files and save them to some remote location. This way, when the virus hits, you will be able to remove WanaCrypt0r 2.0 and recover your files without any difficulty.
The important thing you should never do is collaborate with the cyber criminals. The hackers behind the original Wcry have already made over 50,000 dollars from the unfortunate victims who were desperate to recover their files.
So, the program's follow-up which cannot be terminated can definitely generate even more. Don't motivate the hackers by sending them your money. Instead, try to perform WanaCrypt0r 2.0 removal by employing professional software and our recommendations below the article.
From our report of May 2017 · not reviewed since
Experts unsure about how the virus reaches computers
WanaCrypt0r 2.0 is based on the original Wanna Cry code, but it is not the same threat, so it might spread differently, too.
Sure, it may exploit the Windows SMB vulnerability MS17-010 as the original malware does, but it is also possible that this virus version will target victims via malicious spam campaigns, drive-by downloads and any other channels that it can possibly gain access to.
We can only advise everyone to be especially careful when browsing through their emails, downloading software from the Internet and browsing the web in general. As an additional measure of security, it is also recommended to disable Windows SMB service.
The WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus ransom note
We did not record the full text of the ransom note in our report.
How to remove WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus
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 WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus 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
WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus 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 identify the family
Find the ransom note, usually a
.txt,.htmlor .hta file in every folder or on the desktop, and copy it with one or two encrypted files to a USB stick.From another device, upload them to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note and the file extension. Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note for the report.
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 WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus, 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 WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus 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 May 2017 · not reviewed since
Problems that may arise during WanaCrypt0r 2.0 removal
As we have already mentioned, WanaCrypt0r 2.0 virus is a software still under construction.
Unfortunately, this does not take away any of its malicious functionalities. On the opposite, the loose ends make the virus even more dangerous. Some malicious codes may prevent WanaCrypt0r 2.0 removal from the computer, trigger system malfunction or corrupt your data beyond repair.
To prevent any of these problems from occurring, you should first run the computer in Safe Mode. We explain how to access this mode below. Then, it is time to run a security tool and remove WanaCrypt0r 2.0 from the computer.
[GI=method-1]To deactivate WanaCrypt0r 2.0 functionalities, run your system in Safe Mode. The steps below will help to achieve it:
Computer encrypted by WanaCrypt0r 2.0?
Roll back some of your important files with the help of the Windows Previous Versions feature:
If you are looking for ways to recover your data without installing additional space-consuming software on your computer, you should definitely try Windows Previous Versions feature. Please note that this method will not work for those, who did not have System Recovery function enabled before the virus attack.
Recovery with ShadowExplorer
ShadowExplorer recovery may be off the table if the ransomware deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the computer. If it doesn't -- you stand a good chance recovering your data. Do not hesitate to try this software out.
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 wanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus in the list of installed apps; 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.
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.
More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
Questions about WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus
When will a decryptor for WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus be released?
Nobody can promise a date. When we last checked, on 7 October 2026, no free decryptor is known. Decryptors usually appear after one of three events:
- police seize the attackers' servers and keys
- the authors leak or publish the master keys
- researchers find a mistake in how the ransomware generates keys
Some families got a tool within weeks, others never. Keep the encrypted files and the note on an external drive, check No More Ransom every few months, and follow news about the WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus family. A decryptor may need an original file, so keep any unencrypted copies too.
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.
Did WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus, but the only confirmed sign is wanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus in the list of installed apps, 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.
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.
How did WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus get on my computer?
The way WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus 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 wanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus in the list of installed apps, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Is WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus 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.
How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by WanaCrypt0r 2.0?
You cannot open locked files normally while they stay encrypted, and renaming them will not help. Our earlier report did not record the extension that WanaCrypt0r 2.0 adds, so check one locked file name and the ransom note for it.
No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates. Do not rename the files, change the extension or edit them, because that can make recovery harder. Copy the locked files to an external drive before you clean the system, so a decryptor released later still has them.
How can I protect my files from WanaCrypt0r 2.0 and similar ransomware?
Keep tested backups, update the system and treat unexpected attachments as unsafe. Keep at least one backup copy offline, because ransomware also encrypts drives that stay connected. Install system and browser updates soon after they appear, and turn off remote desktop if you do not use it.
Do not open attachments or links from senders you did not expect, even when the message looks urgent. Use a standard user account for daily work instead of an administrator account. Restore a few files from your backup now and then to prove that it works.
Will Fortect remove WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware 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 WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware 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
- TheRegister: Ransomware scum have already unleashed kill-switch-free WannaCrypt variant (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)