What is Cortana.exe virus? IT security researchers has determined that Cortana.exe virus is a malicious software. It masks itself to avoid detection by imitating legitimate Windows processes. The Cortana.exe virus can perform lots of malicious actions of makers’s choice on your system.
Once installed, the Cortana.exe virus will be configured to start automatically when MS Windows starts. It may show a large amount of intrusive pop up ads, insert harmful code into web-pages that you are opening in your browser, hijack internet browser’s settings such as home page and search engine, use your PC’s resources to generate cryptocurrency and so on.
The Cortana.exe virus may collect your Internet surfing activity by saving URLs visited, IP addresses, internet browser version and type, cookie information, Internet Service Provider (ISP) and web-sites visited. Such kind of behavior can lead to serious security problems or confidential data theft. This is another reason why this virus should be removed without a wait.
Don’t panic because we have got the solution. Here’s a steps on how to remove Cortana.exe virus from your system for free.
Remove Cortana.exe virus (Step by step guide)
Fortunately, we have an effective method that will help you manually or/and automatically remove Cortana.exe virus from your PC and bring your personal computer settings back to normal. Below you will find a removal guide with all the steps you may need to successfully remove this virus and its traces. Read it once, after doing so, please print this page as you may need to close your internet browser or reboot your machine.
To remove Cortana.exe virus, execute the steps below:
- Deleting the Cortana.exe, check the list of installed applications first
- How to automatically get rid of Cortana.exe with Zemana Anti Malware
- Run Hitman Pro to delete Cortana.exe virus
- Run Malwarebytes to get rid of Cortana.exe virus
- Delete Cortana.exe virus from Internet Explorer
- Remove Cortana.exe virus from Mozilla Firefox
- Get rid of Cortana.exe from Google Chrome
- How to stay safe online
- To sum up
Deleting the Cortana.exe, check the list of installed applications first
Some potentially unwanted applications, browser hijacking apps and ad-supported software can be uninstalled by uninstalling the free programs they came with. If this way does not succeed, then looking them up in the list of installed software in Microsoft Windows Control Panel. Use the “Uninstall” command in order to delete them.
Windows 8, 8.1, 10
First, click Windows button
, then press Search 
. Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter as shown below.
When the ‘Control Panel’ opens, click the ‘Uninstall a program’ link under Programs category as displayed on the screen below.
You will see the ‘Uninstall a program’ panel as shown in the figure below.
Very carefully look around the entire list of programs installed on your machine. Most probably, one of them is a virus and other security threats. If you have many software installed, you can help simplify the search of malicious software by sort the list by date of installation. Once you’ve found a suspicious, unwanted or unused application, right click to it, after that click ‘Uninstall’.
Windows XP, Vista, 7
First, click ‘Start’ button and select ‘Control Panel’ at right panel as shown in the following example.
When the Windows ‘Control Panel’ opens, you need to click ‘Uninstall a program’ under ‘Programs’ as shown below.
You will see a list of applications installed on your machine. We recommend to sort the list by date of installation to quickly find the applications that were installed last. Most probably, it is the virus related files, folders and registry keys. If you are in doubt, you can always check the application by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing. Once the program which you need to delete is found, simply click on its name, and then press ‘Uninstall’ as shown in the following example.
How to automatically get rid of Cortana.exe with Zemana Anti Malware
We recommend using the Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM). You can download and install Zemana Anti Malware to search for and get rid of Cortana.exe from your system. When installed and updated, the malware remover will automatically scan and detect all threats exist on the computer.
- Installing the Zemana is simple. First you will need to download Zemana Anti-Malware from the link below.
Zemana AntiMalware
164112 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
- At the download page, click on the Download button. Your browser will open the “Save as” dialog box. Please save it onto your Windows desktop.
- Once the downloading process is complete, please close all applications and open windows on your machine. Next, start a file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.
- This will open the “Setup wizard” of Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) onto your PC system. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.
- When the Setup wizard has finished installing, the Zemana will open and open the main window.
- Further, press the “Scan” button . Zemana Free tool will begin scanning the whole system to find out the Cortana.exe virus and other malicious software and PUPs. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient. When a malicious software, adware or potentially unwanted apps are detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.
- When that process is done, Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) will create a list of unwanted applications adware.
- In order to get rid of all threats, simply click the “Next” button. The tool will begin to remove virus related files, folders and registry keys. After the task is finished, you may be prompted to reboot the system.
- Close the Zemana and continue with the next step.
Run Hitman Pro to delete Cortana.exe virus
Hitman Pro is a free portable program that scans your computer for ad supported software, PUPs and malware such as Cortana.exe virus and helps delete them easily. Moreover, it’ll also help you remove any harmful web browser extensions and add-ons.
Please go to the link below to download the latest version of HitmanPro for MS Windows. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop.
Download and run Hitman Pro on your PC system. Once started, press “Next” button to begin checking your system for the virus related files, folders and registry keys. When a malicious software, ad supported software or potentially unwanted applications are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. .
After that process is finished, the results are displayed in the scan report.
Next, you need to click Next button.
It will open a dialog box, press the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial to get rid of all malware found.
Run Malwarebytes to get rid of Cortana.exe virus
Manual Cortana.exe virus removal requires some computer skills. Some files and registry entries that created by this virus can be not completely removed. We recommend that run the Malwarebytes Free that are completely free your personal computer of virus. Moreover, the free application will help you to get rid of malware, PUPs, adware and toolbars that your PC may be infected too.
- Visit the following page to download the latest version of MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) for MS Windows. Save it to your Desktop.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
326462 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
- After the downloading process is done, close all applications and windows on your PC system. Open a file location. Double-click on the icon that’s named mb3-setup.
- Further, click Next button and follow the prompts.
- Once installation is finished, click the “Scan Now” button to detect the Cortana.exe virus and other security threats. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware program is scanning, you can see count of objects it has identified as threat.
- Once the system scan is finished, you can check all items found on your machine. Make sure all items have ‘checkmark’ and click “Quarantine Selected”. Once the clean up is finished, you can be prompted to restart your PC system.
The following video offers a steps on how to get rid of browser hijackers, ad supported software and other malware with MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM).
Delete Cortana.exe virus from Internet Explorer
By resetting Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser you restore your web browser settings to its default state. This is first when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by the Cortana.exe virus.
First, run the Microsoft Internet Explorer. Next, press the button in the form of gear (
). It will open the Tools drop-down menu, press the “Internet Options” as shown on the screen below.
In the “Internet Options” window click on the Advanced tab, then click the Reset button. The Internet Explorer will open the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window as displayed in the following example. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then press “Reset” button.
You will now need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Remove Cortana.exe virus from Mozilla Firefox
The Firefox reset will delete modified preferences, extensions and security settings. When using the reset feature, your personal information like passwords, bookmarks, browsing history and web form auto-fill data will be saved.
First, open the Mozilla Firefox. Next, press the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (
). It will open the drop-down menu. Next, click the Help button (
).
In the Help menu press the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page click on “Refresh Firefox” button as displayed below.
Confirm your action, click the “Refresh Firefox”.
Get rid of Cortana.exe from Google Chrome
Reset Google Chrome settings will remove changes to internet browser settings created by Cortana.exe virus and disable malicious extensions. It will also clear cached and temporary data (cookies, site data and content). Essential information such as bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, cookies, auto-fill data and personal dictionaries will not be removed.
First run the Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal dots (
).
It will open the Google Chrome menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed extensions. If the list has the addon 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 called “Settings”.
The web browser will display the settings screen. Another solution to open the Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the 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 on the image below and click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
The Google Chrome will show the confirmation dialog box as displayed in the following example.
You need to confirm your action, click the “Reset” button. The browser will launch the procedure of cleaning. Once it’s finished, the web browser’s settings including start page, default search provider and newtab back to the values which have been when the Chrome was first installed on your PC system.
How to stay safe online
Use ad blocker program like AdGuard in order to block advertisements, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install harmful and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons that affect your personal computer performance and impact your machine security. Surf the Net anonymously and stay safe online!
Visit the following page to download AdGuard. Save it directly to your MS Windows Desktop.
26658 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
Once the downloading process is finished, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as displayed on the image below.
Follow the prompts. After the installation is finished, you will see a window as shown below.
You can click “Skip” to close the setup program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial which will help you get to know AdGuard better.
In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your PC, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted pop-up ads, 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, that can be found on your desktop.
To sum up
After completing the few simple steps outlined above, your machine should be clean from the Cortana.exe virus and other malicious software. Your antivirus will no longer detect any security threats. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new malicious software, and then the best way – ask for help.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the Cortana.exe virus.
