How to remove “Warning! Malware Detected” pop-up [Microsoft Support Scam]

The “Warning! Malware Detected” is an one of the misleading ad pages that created in order to trick you into calling the fake Microsoft Support. If the Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Edge browser opens automatically to this web page, then your PC system is affected with an ‘ad-supported’ software (also known as adware), which was set on your personal computer without your consent. Because, the adware is often used to display a large count of intrusive pop-ups within the Chrome, Internet Explorer, FF and MS Edge’s screen. As, the advertisers do not disdain to use any methods to promote their pages and attract new users. Below we explain how to get rid of adware and thereby get rid of “Warning! Malware Detected” unwanted pop-up scam from your web-browser.

Technically, the adware is not a virus, but it does bad things, it generates a ton of pop up advertisements. It may download and install on to your computer other malicious and unwanted applications without your permission, force you to visit misleading or harmful web-sites. Moreover, the ‘ad supported’ software can install internet browser hijacker. Once installed, it will modify your web-browser setting like home page, new tab page and default search engine with an intrusive page.

Most often, the adware hijacks the most common web-browsers such as the FF, Chrome, Internet Explorer and Edge. But such the harmful software as well may affect another browsers by modifying its shortcuts (adding an argument such as ‘http://site.address’ into Target field of a web browser’s shortcut). So every time you launch the internet browser, it will reroute to the annoying “Warning! Malware Detected” web-site. Even if you setup a new startpage, an unwanted site will be the first thing you see when you open the Firefox, Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge.

We strongly suggest that you perform the step by step guide below which will allow you to remove “Warning! Malware Detected” pop-up warnings using the standard features of Windows and some proven free applications.

Remove “Warning! Malware Detected” pop up scam

The ad supported software is a form of malicious software that you might have difficulty in uninstalling it from your machine. Happily, you have found the effective “Warning! Malware Detected” fake alerts removal tutorial in this post. Both the manual removal way and the automatic removal solution will be provided below and you can just select the one that best for you. If you’ve any questions or need help then type a comment below. Read this manual carefully, bookmark or print it, because you may need to exit your browser or reboot your PC.

To remove “Warning! Malware Detected”, use the steps below:

1. How to get rid of “Warning! Malware Detected” pop-up without any software
   • Removing the “Warning! Malware Detected”, check the list of installed software first
   • Remove “Warning! Malware Detected” pop up scam from Chrome
   • Remove “Warning! Malware Detected” pop-up warnings from Microsoft Internet Explorer
   • Get rid of “Warning! Malware Detected” from FF by resetting web browser settings
   • Get rid of unwanted Scheduled Tasks
   • Disinfect the web browser’s shortcuts to delete “Warning! Malware Detected” redirect
2. Run free malware removal utilities to completely remove “Warning! Malware Detected” fake alerts
   • Automatically get rid of “Warning! Malware Detected” pop up scam with Zemana Anti-malware
   • Use Malwarebytes to remove “Warning! Malware Detected” popup
   • Run AdwCleaner to get rid of “Warning! Malware Detected” fake alerts from browser
3. Use AdBlocker to stop “Warning! Malware Detected” and stay safe online
4. How does your PC get infected with “Warning! Malware Detected” pop-up scam
5. Finish words

How to get rid of “Warning! Malware Detected” pop-up without any software

Most common adware may be removed without any antivirus apps. The manual adware removal is few simple steps that will teach you how to get rid of the “Warning! Malware Detected” pop up.

Removing the “Warning! Malware Detected”, check the list of installed software first

First of all, check the list of installed software on your personal computer and uninstall all unknown and recently installed apps. If you see an unknown application with incorrect spelling or varying capital letters, it have most likely been installed by malicious software and you should clean it off first with malware removal tool such as Zemana Anti-malware.

Carefully browse through the list of installed programs and remove all questionable and unknown applications. We suggest to press ‘Installed programs’ and even sorts all installed applications by date. When you’ve found anything dubious that may be the ad supported software which shows misleading “Warning! Malware Detected” pop-up warnings on your PC or other PUP (potentially unwanted program), then choose this program and click ‘Uninstall’ in the upper part of the window. If the dubious program blocked from removal, then run Revo Uninstaller Freeware to fully delete it from your computer.

Remove “Warning! Malware Detected” pop up scam from Chrome

If your Chrome browser is re-directed to undesired “Warning! Malware Detected” page, it may be necessary to completely reset your internet browser application to its default settings.

Open the Google Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (). It will display the drop-down menu. Choose More Tools, then press Extensions.

Carefully browse through the list of installed add-ons. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Google Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy otherwise, just go to the step below.

Open the Chrome main menu again, press to “Settings” option.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, like below and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.

Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.

Remove “Warning! Malware Detected” pop-up warnings from Microsoft Internet Explorer

If you find that Internet Explorer internet browser settings like homepage, newtab and search provider by default having been replaced by ‘ad supported’ software that cause misleading “Warning! Malware Detected” pop up warnings to appear, then you may revert back your settings, via the reset internet browser procedure.

First, launch the Internet Explorer. Next, click the button in the form of gear (). It will show the Tools drop-down menu, click the “Internet Options” as shown on the image below.

In the “Internet Options” window click on the Advanced tab, then click the Reset button. The IE will open the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window as displayed on the image below. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then click “Reset” button.

You will now need to restart your system for the changes to take effect.

Get rid of “Warning! Malware Detected” from FF by resetting web browser settings

The FF reset will keep your personal information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill data, restore preferences and security settings, delete redirects to undesired “Warning! Malware Detected” web-page and adware.

First, launch the Mozilla Firefox. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will display the drop-down menu. Next, click the Help button ().

In the Help menu click the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page press on “Refresh Firefox” button like below.

Confirm your action, click the “Refresh Firefox”.

Get rid of unwanted Scheduled Tasks

Once installed, the ad-supported software can add a task in to the Windows Task Scheduler Library. Due to this, every time when you start your computer, it will show “Warning! Malware Detected” annoying site. So, you need to check the Task Scheduler Library and get rid of all harmful tasks that have been created by ‘ad-supported’ apps.

Press Windows and R keys on your keyboard at the same time. It will open a dialog box which called Run. In the text field, type “taskschd.msc” (without the quotes) and click OK. Task Scheduler window opens. In the left-hand side, click “Task Scheduler Library”, as displayed below.

In the middle part you will see a list of installed tasks. Select the first task, its properties will be open just below automatically. Next, press the Actions tab. Necessary to look at the text which is written under Details. Found something like “explorer.exe http://site.address” or “chrome.exe http://site.address” or “firefox.exe http://site.address”, then you need remove this task. If you are not sure that executes the task, then google it. If it is a component of the malicious apps, then this task also should be removed.

Further click on it with the right mouse button and select Delete as shown on the screen below.

Repeat this step, if you have found a few tasks that have been created by adware. Once is done, close the Task Scheduler window.

Disinfect the web browser’s shortcuts to delete “Warning! Malware Detected” redirect

Now you need to clean up the browser shortcut files. Check that the shortcut referring to the right exe-file of the browser, and not on any unknown file.

Open the properties of the browser shortcut file. Right click on the shortcut of infected web-browser and select the “Properties” option and it’ll display the properties of the shortcut file. Next, choose the “Shortcut” tab and have a look at the Target field as displayed in the following example.

Normally, if the last word in the Target field is chrome.exe, iexplore.exe, firefox.exe. Be sure to pay attention to the extension, should be “exe”! All shortcuts which have been altered by adware that displays misleading “Warning! Malware Detected” pop up on your machine, usually point to .bat, .cmd or .url files instead of .exe as shown on the image below

Another variant, an address has been added at the end of the line. In this case the Target field looks such as …Application\chrome.exe” http://site.address as displayed below.

In order to fix the hijacked shortcut file, you need to insert right path to the Target field or remove an address (if it has been added at the end). You can use the following information to fix your shortcut files which have been altered by adware that causes web browsers to open misleading “Warning! Malware Detected” pop up.

Chrome	C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
	C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
FF	C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
Microsoft Internet Explorer	C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
	C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
Opera	C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\launcher.exe
	C:\Program Files\Opera\launcher.exe

Once is complete, click OK to save changes. Repeat the step for all internet browsers that are re-directed to the “Warning! Malware Detected” undesired web-page.

Run free malware removal utilities to completely remove “Warning! Malware Detected” fake alerts

Manual removal tutorial does not always help to completely get rid of the adware, as it is not easy to identify and remove components of ad-supported software and all malicious files from hard disk. Therefore, it’s recommended that you use malware removal utility to completely delete “Warning! Malware Detected” off your browser. Several free malicious software removal utilities are currently available that can be used against the ‘ad supported’ software. The optimum solution would be to run Zemana Anti-malware, Malwarebytes Free and AdwCleaner.

Automatically get rid of “Warning! Malware Detected” pop up scam with Zemana Anti-malware

We recommend using the Zemana Anti-malware that are completely clean your machine of the adware. The utility is an advanced malicious software removal application designed by (c) Zemana lab. It’s able to help you remove PUPs, hijackers, malicious software, toolbars, ransomware and ad-supported software that causes multiple misleading “Warning! Malware Detected” alerts and popups.

Please go to the following link to download the latest version of Zemana Free for Microsoft Windows. Save it to your Desktop.

Once the downloading process is finished, close all applications and windows on your computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup as shown on the image below.

When the installation begins, you will see the “Setup wizard” that will allow you install Zemana Free on your machine.

Once install is complete, you will see window like below.

Now click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the adware that cause misleading “Warning! Malware Detected” pop-up warnings to appear. This process can take quite a while, so please be patient. When a malware, adware or potentially unwanted applications are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.

When the system scan is complete, Zemana will display a screen which contains a list of malicious software that has been found. You may move items to Quarantine (all selected by default) by simply click “Next” button.

The Zemana Anti-Malware will begin to remove ‘ad supported’ software which cause misleading “Warning! Malware Detected” pop-up to appear.

Use Malwarebytes to remove “Warning! Malware Detected” popup

Remove “Warning! Malware Detected” popup warnings manually is difficult and often the adware is not completely removed. Therefore, we suggest you to run the Malwarebytes Free which are completely clean your computer. Moreover, the free program will help you to remove malware, PUPs, toolbars and browser hijackers that your computer may be infected too.

Download MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) by clicking on the following link. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.

Once downloading is done, run it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the MalwareBytes Anti Malware will try to update itself and when this process is finished, click the “Scan Now” button to begin scanning your PC system for the adware which displays misleading “Warning! Malware Detected” fake alerts on your computer. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your PC. You may move items to Quarantine (all selected by default) by simply click “Quarantine Selected” button.

The MalwareBytes is a free application that you can use to remove all detected folders, files, services, registry entries and so on. To learn more about this malware removal tool, we suggest you to read and follow the step by step tutorial or the video guide below.

Run AdwCleaner to get rid of “Warning! Malware Detected” fake alerts from browser

AdwCleaner frees your machine from browser hijackers, potentially unwanted software, unwanted toolbars, web browser addons and other unwanted applications like ad-supported software which designed to display misleading “Warning! Malware Detected” pop up warnings within your internet browser. The free removal utility will help you enjoy your computer to its fullest. AdwCleaner uses the (c) Malwarebytes technology to search for if there are unwanted software in your computer. You can review the scan results, and choose the threats you want to delete.

1. Please go to the link below to download the latest version of AdwCleaner for Microsoft Windows. Save it on your Desktop.
   
   

   AdwCleaner download
   225298 downloads
   Version: 8.4.1
   Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: October 5, 2024
   
2. Select the directory in which you saved it as Desktop, and then click Save.
3. After the download is finished, run the AdwCleaner, double-click the adwcleaner_xxx.exe file.
4. If the “User Account Control” prompts, click Yes to continue.
5. Read the “Terms of use”, and press Accept.
6. In the AdwCleaner window, click the “Scan” to perform a system scan for the ad-supported software which causes misleading “Warning! Malware Detected” pop up on your web browser. Depending on your PC, the scan may take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the AdwCleaner application is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as threat.
7. After the scanning is done, you can check all threats detected on your machine. You may move items to Quarantine (all selected by default) by simply click “Clean”. If the AdwCleaner will ask you to reboot your personal computer, click “OK”.

The few simple steps shown in detail in the following video.

Use AdBlocker to stop “Warning! Malware Detected” and stay safe online

Use ad-blocking program like AdGuard in order to block ads, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install harmful and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons which affect your computer performance and impact your machine security. Surf the World Wide Web anonymously and stay safe online!

Download AdGuard program from the following link. Save it on your Desktop.

When the download is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as displayed on the image below.

Follow the prompts. When the install is finished, you will see a window like below.

You can press “Skip” to close the installation application and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial that will help you get to know AdGuard better.

In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you run your computer, AdGuard will launch automatically and block pop-up advertisements, web pages such “Warning! Malware Detected”, as well as other harmful or misleading sites. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, that is located on your desktop.

How does your PC get infected with “Warning! Malware Detected” pop-up scam

The adware come bundled with some free programs. So always read carefully the install screens, disclaimers, ‘Terms of Use’ and ‘Software license’ appearing during the install procedure. Additionally pay attention for optional applications that are being installed along with the main application. Ensure that you unchecked all of them! Also, run an ad-blocking program that will help to stop malicious, misleading, illegitimate or untrustworthy web-sites.

Finish words

Now your PC system should be free of the adware that shows misleading “Warning! Malware Detected” pop-up scam on your PC system. Uninstall AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep Zemana Free (to periodically scan your personal computer for new ‘ad supported’ softwares and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop up advertisements and malicious web pages). Moreover, to prevent adwares, please stay clear of unknown and third party applications, make sure that your antivirus program, turn on the option to look for PUPs (potentially unwanted programs).

If you need more help with “Warning! Malware Detected” fake alerts related issues, go to our Spyware/Malware removal forum.