How to remove "Microsoft Security Alert" pop up warnings [Support Scam]

The “Microsoft Security Alert” pop up warnings are misleading advertising that created in order to force you into calling the fake Microsoft Support. If, every time, when you browse the Web with your web-browser the “Microsoft Security Alert” pop-up scam keeps annoying you, then its is possible that an adware (sometimes called ‘ad-supported’ software) get installed on your machine. The adware can end up on your system in various ways. In many cases is when you download and install free software and forget to uncheck the box for the third-party software installation. Do not panic because we have got the solution. Here’s a guidance on how to get rid of annoying “Microsoft Security Alert” pop-up scam from the Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and IE and other internet browsers.

“Microsoft Security Alert” is a misleading advertising as shown on the image above

What is more, the ad-supported software that causes misleading “Microsoft Security Alert” popup warnings on your web browser, may display advertisements depend on a web-site that you are visiting. That is, it is clear that this adware, without your permission, steals personal data such as: your ip address, what is a site you are viewing now, what you are looking for on the Web, which links you are clicking, and much, much more. Even worse, the adware may monetize its functionality by gathering personal information from your surfing sessions. This confidential data, afterwards, can be easily transferred to third parties. This puts your privacy info at a security risk.

The malicious applications from the adware family that modifies the settings of web-browsers usually affects only the Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Edge. However, possible situations, when any other internet browsers will be hijacked too. The ad supported software may modify the Target property of a web-browser’s shortcut file, so every time you run the web-browser, instead of your startpage, you will see the annoying “Microsoft Security Alert” site.

Instructions which is shown below, will allow you to clean your personal computer from the adware as well as remove “Microsoft Security Alert” intrusive pop ups from the Microsoft Internet Explorer, Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Edge and other web browsers.

Remove “Microsoft Security Alert” popup warnings (removal tutorial)

As with removing adware, malicious software or PUPs, there are few steps you can do. We recommend trying them all. If you do only one part of the instructions, then it should be use malicious software removal utility, because it should remove adware and stop any further infection. But to completely delete “Microsoft Security Alert” pop up warnings you will have to at least reset your web browser settings such as search engine by default, newtab and start page to default state, disinfect computer’s web browsers shortcuts, uninstall all unwanted and suspicious apps, and remove adware by malicious software removal tools. Some of the steps will require you to restart your PC system or exit this page. So, read this instructions carefully, then bookmark or print it for later reference.

If you are using an Apple computer running Mac OS, then use the following step by step tutorial How to remove browser hijacker, pop-ups, ads from Mac

To remove “Microsoft Security Alert”, perform the steps below:

How to delete “Microsoft Security Alert” fake alerts without any software
How to automatically delete “Microsoft Security Alert” pop-up
How to block “Microsoft Security Alert” pop up warnings
How did “Microsoft Security Alert” popup scam get on your machine
Finish words

How to delete “Microsoft Security Alert” fake alerts without any software

The steps will help you remove “Microsoft Security Alert” fake alerts. These “Microsoft Security Alert” removal steps work for the Edge, Microsoft Internet Explorer, FF and Google Chrome, as well as every version of Windows operating system.

Removing the “Microsoft Security Alert”, check the list of installed software first

In order to remove potentially unwanted apps like this adware, open the Windows Control Panel and click on “Uninstall a program”. Check the list of installed programs. For the ones you do not know, run an Internet search to see if they are adware, hijacker or potentially unwanted applications. If yes, delete them off. Even if they are just a software which you do not use, then removing them off will increase your computer start up time and speed dramatically.

If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then click Windows button, next click Search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.
If you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, then click “Start” button and click “Control Panel”.
It will display the Windows Control Panel.
Further, click “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
It will display a list of all programs installed on the PC system.
Scroll through the all list, and delete suspicious and unknown programs. To quickly find the latest installed programs, we recommend sort apps by date.

See more details in the video guidance below.

Remove unwanted Scheduled Tasks

If the undesired “Microsoft Security Alert” web site opens automatically on Windows startup or at equal time intervals, then you need to check the Task Scheduler Library and get rid of all the tasks which have been created by adware.

Press Windows and R keys on your keyboard together. It will open a prompt that titled as Run. In the text field, type “taskschd.msc” (without the quotes) and click OK. Task Scheduler window opens. In the left-hand side, press “Task Scheduler Library”, as displayed on the image below.

Task scheduler, list of tasks

In the middle part you will see a list of installed tasks. Select the first task, its properties will be display just below automatically. Next, click 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’s a component of the ‘ad-supported’ apps, then this task also should be removed.

Further press on it with the right mouse button and select Delete as displayed on the screen below.

Task scheduler, delete a task

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

Fix browser shortcuts, modified by ‘ad supported’ software

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

To clear the internet browser shortcut, right-click to it and choose Properties. On the Shortcut tab, locate the Target field. Click inside, you will see a vertical line – arrow pointer, move it (using -> arrow key on your keyboard) to the right as possible. You will see a text like “http://site.address” that has been added here. You need to delete it.

When the text is removed, click the OK button. You need to clean all shortcut files of all your web-browsers, as they may be affected too.

Remove “Microsoft Security Alert” from Firefox by resetting internet browser settings

If your Mozilla Firefox web-browser is redirected to “Microsoft Security Alert” without your permission or an unknown search provider opens results for your search, then it may be time to perform the web browser reset.

Start the Mozilla Firefox and press the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the internet browser screen. Next, press the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will display the slide-out menu.

Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you’re unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as displayed on the image below.

Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation dialog box. The Mozilla Firefox will start a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the adware that causes web-browsers to show misleading “Microsoft Security Alert” fake alerts. After, it’s finished, click the “Finish” button.

Remove “Microsoft Security Alert” popup from Chrome

Use the Reset internet browser tool of the Chrome to reset all its settings such as homepage, search provider by default and new tab to original defaults. This is a very useful tool to use, in the case of web-browser redirects to unwanted ad web-sites like “Microsoft Security Alert”.

First launch the Chrome. Next, press the button in the form of three horizontal dots ().

It will show the Google Chrome menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed plugins. If the list has the extension signed with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guidance: Remove Google Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.

Open the Chrome menu once again. Further, press the option named “Settings”.

The web-browser will show the settings screen. Another way to open the Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the web-browser adress bar and press Enter

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

The Google Chrome will open the confirmation prompt as on the image below.

You need to confirm your action, press the “Reset” button. The web browser will start the process of cleaning. After it is finished, the web browser’s settings including search engine by default, home page and newtab page back to the values that have been when the Google Chrome was first installed on your machine.

Remove “Microsoft Security Alert” pop up warnings from Microsoft Internet Explorer

If you find that Internet Explorer browser settings such as search engine, new tab and homepage having been changed by ‘ad supported’ software that cause misleading “Microsoft Security Alert” popup to appear, then you may restore your settings, via the reset web-browser procedure.

First, run the Internet Explorer, then click ‘gear’ icon . It will open the Tools drop-down menu on the right part of the browser, then press the “Internet Options” as shown below.

In the “Internet Options” screen, select the “Advanced” tab, then click the “Reset” button. The IE will display the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” dialog box. Further, click the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. Next, click the “Reset” button as shown in the figure below.

When the process is finished, click “Close” button. Close the Internet Explorer and restart your PC system for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your web-browser’s new tab, default search provider and startpage to default state.

How to automatically delete “Microsoft Security Alert” pop-up

If your machine is still infected with ad supported software that shows misleading “Microsoft Security Alert” fake alerts on your computer, then the best method of detection and removal is to run an anti-malware scan on the personal computer. Download free malicious software removal tools below and launch a full system scan. It will help you delete all components of the ad supported software from hardisk and Windows registry.

Scan and free your browser of “Microsoft Security Alert” popup with Zemana Anti-malware

We suggest using the Zemana Anti-malware that are completely clean your system of the ad supported software. The utility is an advanced malware removal application made by (c) Zemana lab. It is able to help you get rid of potentially unwanted applications, hijackers, malicious software, toolbars, ransomware and adware which causes misleading “Microsoft Security Alert” pop-up scam on your web-browser.

Now you can install and use Zemana Anti Malware to remove “Microsoft Security Alert” popup from your internet browser by following the steps below:

Please go to the link below to download Zemana installer named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup on your machine. Save it on your Desktop.

Zemana AntiMalware
164107 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019

Start the installation package after it has been downloaded successfully and then follow the prompts to setup this tool on your personal computer.

During setup you can change some settings, but we suggest you don’t make any changes to default settings.

When installation is finished, this malware removal utility will automatically start and update itself. You will see its main window as displayed in the following example.

Now click the “Scan” button to start scanning your PC for the ad supported software which displays misleading “Microsoft Security Alert” pop up warnings on your computer. During the scan Zemana will search for threats present on your personal computer.

After the scan is complete, Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM) will open a screen that contains a list of malicious software that has been found. All detected threats will be marked. You can get rid of them all by simply click “Next” button.

The Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) will delete adware that causes multiple misleading “Microsoft Security Alert” alerts and pop-ups and add items to the Quarantine. After finished, you can be prompted to reboot your personal computer to make the change take effect.

How to remove “Microsoft Security Alert” with Malwarebytes

We advise using the Malwarebytes Free. You may download and install Malwarebytes to detect adware and thereby remove “Microsoft Security Alert” popup from your internet browsers. When installed and updated, the free malware remover will automatically scan and detect all threats present on the PC system.

Visit the page linked below to download MalwareBytes. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

Malwarebytes Anti-malware
326460 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
When the downloading process is done, close all programs and windows on your PC. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named mb3-setup.
Further, press Next button and follow the prompts.
Once installation is complete, click the “Scan Now” button to look for ad-supported software that developed to display misleading “Microsoft Security Alert” pop-up warnings within your web-browser. This process can take some time, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes Free program is checking, you may see count of objects it has identified as threat.
Once that process is finished, you can check all items detected on your computer. In order to get rid of all threats, simply press “Quarantine Selected”. When that process is complete, you can be prompted to restart your PC.

The following video offers a guide on how to remove browser hijackers, adware and other malicious software with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM).

Use AdwCleaner to get rid of “Microsoft Security Alert” pop up

AdwCleaner is a free portable program that scans your PC system for ad supported software which causes misleading “Microsoft Security Alert” fake alerts on your web-browser, potentially unwanted applications and hijackers and helps get rid of them easily. Moreover, it’ll also allow you delete any malicious browser extensions and add-ons.

Download AdwCleaner from the link below. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

AdwCleaner download
225298 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024

Download and run AdwCleaner on your personal computer. Once started, press “Scan” button to start scanning your machine for the adware that created to display misleading “Microsoft Security Alert” fake alerts within your browser. .

Once the scan is finished, AdwCleaner will open a scan report. Once you’ve selected what you want to get rid of from your machine, click Clean button.

All-in-all, AdwCleaner is a fantastic free utility to clean your computer from any unwanted software. The AdwCleaner is portable application that meaning, you do not need to install it to use it. AdwCleaner is compatible with all versions of MS Windows OS from MS Windows XP to Windows 10. Both 64-bit and 32-bit systems are supported.

How to block “Microsoft Security Alert” pop up warnings

Use an ad blocker tool like AdGuard will protect you from malicious ads and content. Moreover, you can find that the AdGuard have an option to protect your privacy and block phishing and spam web-pages. Additionally, adblocker applications will allow you to avoid intrusive ads and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.

Installing the AdGuard adblocker program is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard by clicking on the following link. Save it on your Windows desktop.

When downloading is done, double-click the downloaded file to start it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen as displayed on the screen below.

Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed and an icon will be placed on your desktop. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guidance as on the image below.

Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick guide which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you start your computer, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop popup ads, pages like “Microsoft Security Alert”, as well as other malicious or misleading web sites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, which is located on your desktop.

How did “Microsoft Security Alert” popup scam get on your machine

Probably adware get installed onto your PC system when you’ve installed certain free software like E-Mail checker, PDF creator, video codec, etc. Because, most often, the adware can be bundled within the installation packages from Softonic, Cnet, Soft32, Brothersoft or other similar web-sites which hosts free software. So, you should start any files downloaded from the Internet with great caution! Always carefully read the ‘User agreement’, ‘Software license’ and ‘Terms of use’. In the procedure of installing a new program, you need to select a ‘Manual’, ‘Advanced’ or ‘Custom’ installation mode to control what components and optional apps to be installed. Nevertheless, even removing the application which contains adware, does not help you remove undesired “Microsoft Security Alert” pop up from your browser. Therefore, you must follow the guide above to get rid of adware and thereby remove all annoying popup advertisements and redirections to unwanted web sites.

Finish words

Now your computer should be free of the adware that causes web browsers to open misleading “Microsoft Security Alert” pop-up. Delete AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep Zemana (to periodically scan your computer for new adwares and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you block annoying ads and malicious sites). Moreover, to prevent adwares, please stay clear of unknown and third party apps, make sure that your antivirus program, turn on the option to look for PUPs (potentially unwanted programs).

If you need more help with “Microsoft Security Alert” pop up warnings related issues, go to our Spyware/Malware removal forum.