Remove Fake Warning from Microsoft Edge

Fake warnings and alerts are haunting some Microsoft Edge users with sticky pop-up alerts. These pop-ups may vary from simple software endorsements up to a highly fraudulent phone support scam. One thing that terribly affects web browsers is the malware’s ability to alter Microsoft Edge settings that make fake warnings show up as a default page or tab. The malware also freezes the current window to prevent users from navigating away from the page. This is technically not a virus infection, but rather a script on the fake Microsoft Edge web page that supersedes the current browser configuration.

Microsoft Edge users and fake warnings

Here are some excerpts from Microsoft Edge users claiming to have fake alerts and warnings that have frozen the browser:

I have tried everything and ran Windows Defender. It could not detect any faults or malware virus at all but Microsoft edge is still frozen. I managed to get on Google and ran Malwarebytes and other programs but nothing would remove it…

Screenshot of Microsoft Edge Frozen Forum

I am new to Windows 10, and Microsoft Edge has been my go to browser. With school starting soon I have no idea what to do. This image is a screenshot of what happens every time I open up Microsoft Edge. You can hit the OK button but it does nothing, I cannot even access the settings in Microsoft Edge. The only way to close the browser is to use task manager…

Screenshot of Microsoft Edge Frozen Discussion

Dealing with Microsoft Edge fake warnings

Even though this fake alert from Microsoft Edge is not caused by a computer virus infection, this occurrence can lead to scamming, especially if online users are lured to communicate with the attackers using toll-free or paid online support services. In addition, some victims claim that fake Microsoft Edge warnings are misguiding them to download a rogue application.

To help you with this kind of trouble, we have provided simple procedures below. The guide will help you close the fake Microsoft Edge warning and keep it out of the browser permanently.

Guide to Remove Fake Warnings and Alerts from Microsoft Edge Browser

There are several options for these procedures that you can execute to resolve the problems with your computer and Edge browser.

Quick Fix - Scan the PC with Combo Cleaner for Windows

Combo Cleaner is a trusted PC security and optimization tool equipped with powerful virus and malware detection engine. This program can get rid of browser hijacker, adware, and malware.

1. Download the application from the following page:

2. Save the file to your preferred location.

3. Double-click the downloaded file CCSetup.exe and install with the default settings.

CC for Windows Installation

4. At the end of the setup process, click Finish to run Combo Cleaner.

5. The tool will update the signature file, please wait for this process to complete.

6. To begin checking for threats like browser hijacker, adware, and malware, click on the Start Scan button. Wait for this scan to finish.

CC for Windows Start Scan

7. At the end of the scan process, click on Remove all threats to delete threats including all malicious objects from the computer.

Free features of Combo Cleaner for Windows includes Disk Cleaner, Big Files finder, Duplicate files finder, and Uninstaller. To use antivirus, privacy scanner, and to delete identified threats, users have to upgrade to a premium version.

Please continue with the succeeding removal procedures if your are comfortable to manually get rid of the threat and malicious items linked with it.

Option 1: Disconnect Computer from the Internet

To be able to process the loop when hijacking your home page or tabs, malware constantly communicates with its server. This also gives the hijacker the ability to execute whatever script is used for the loop. Thus, you must cease the communication between Microsoft Edge and the remote malware server.

1. Unplug your Ethernet or LAN connector if you are on a wired network.

2. Turn off your Wi-Fi Modem or Disconnect your if your Wireless access PC is connected to a wireless network.

Image of WiFi Disconnection

3. Close the Microsoft Edge browser. If this is not possible, repeatedly hit Esc on the keyboard or click the OK/Cancel button on the hijacker window.

4. Activate Airplane mode.

a. Click your Network/Internet Settings icon on the taskbar (bottom right of your screen).
b. The Settings window will open. Choose Network and Internet.
c. Look at the bottom row and click on Airplane mode.
d. Click on the button to Turn on Airplane mode.

Image of Airplane Mode

5. Launch the Microsoft Edge Browser and close the offending tab.

6. After going through these processes, you also need to clear Microsoft Edge browsing data. See the complete procedures below.

Option 2: Directly Open Favorite Links in the Edge Browser

1. Restart the Windows computer (do not open the Microsoft Edge browser).

2. Go to your Favorites folder. Typically, it is at this location:

C:\Users\[Your Username]\Favorites\

3. Under the Favorites folder, double-click on any URL, and it will open up with Microsoft Edge, assuming it is your default browser.

4. As the browser hijacker is still present on the Microsoft Edge browser, you will still see it as an added tab. Do not click on the hijacker tab.

Screenshot of Closing the Edge Tab

5. Click X on the offending tab to close it.

6. You must clear all browsing data by going through the procedures as stated below.

Option 3 : Clean Microsoft Edge Browser Active Directory

1. Close your Microsoft Edge browser.

2. Navigate to the following directory and delete/clear all the contents.

C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_xxxx\AC\MicrosoftEdge\User\Default\Recovery\Active\

Clean Edge Active Directory

3. You may now start the Microsoft Edge browser and see if the fake warning is gone.

4. Once the Microsoft Edge browser starts, please clear all browsing data by going through the steps below.

Option 4 : Clean Microsoft Edge Shortcut Links

When the browser keeps opening to unknown web pages containing fake warnings and alerts, chances are that malware may have hijacked the shortcut link. In these instances, try opening the Microsoft Edge browser through the default list of All Programs. Also, checking and cleaning the shortcut links you always use to run Microsoft Edge can help resolve the issue.

1. Point the mouse cursor to the Microsoft Edge shortcut link icon you normally click to run the browser.

2. Right-click and then select Properties from the list.

3. Microsoft Edge browser properties will appear.

Screenshot of Edge Shortcut Cleaning

4. Under the Target field, check if there are any extra strings pointing to a malicious web page. The valid shortcut link should look like this:

C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\MicrosoftEdge.exe

5. Remove unnecessary strings and click on Apply.

6. Click OK and close the current window. You may now restart the Edge browser.

7. Alternatively, you can just delete affected Microsoft Edge shortcut links and create new ones by going to Start > All Programs > Microsoft Edge, right-click and click on More > Desktop (Create shortcut) or Pin to Taskbar.

8. After going through these processes, you also need to clear Microsoft Edge browsing data. See the complete procedures below.

Option 5 : Use Windows Task Manager to Close Microsoft Edge

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard to run Task Manager.

2. Look for Edge under the Process tab.

3. Right-click and select Go to Details.

4. Close all instances of the Edge browser currently running under the Details tab.

5. Cleaning the browsing data after this process is a must. Follow the procedures below.

Additional Tip : Clear all Browsing Data

1. Open the Edge browser if it is not running.

2. In the address bar, please type the following:

edge://settings/privacy

3. Under Settings, please go to Clear browsing data.

Screenshot of Edge Data Clearing

5. Click on the Choose what to clear button.

Image of Edge ClearBrowserData

6. Please select the necessary data and click on Clear Now to apply the changes.

Lastly : Scan and Delete Malware

The anti-malware tool proved to be helpful in finding and deleting browser threats, such as the fake warning from Edge. This tool scans and removes threats using the most comprehensive detection method.

1. Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from the link below. Save the file on your hard drive.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Download Link (this will open a new window)

2. Once the download completes, double-click on the file MBSetup.exe to run the program.

3. Select the desired option, whether you are installing on Personal Computer or Work Computer.

Screenshot of MBAM Install Option

4. In the next window, click on the Install button to load the basic requirements to run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Screenshot of MBAM Default Install

5. If it prompts for License Agreement, you must accept this and click the Next button.

6. Proceed with the succeeding prompts until you reach the window that says Installing…

Screenshot of MBAM Installing

7. The installation process will take less than a minute. The program should run automatically after the setup process.

8. When the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware interface appears, please select Scan from the menu to begin the process. The program will check for any available updates before proceeding. Do not skip this step. A virus scan may take a while; please wait for the process to finish.

Image of MBAM Threat Scan Interface

9. When scanning is done, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will display the list of identified threats. Remove all identified threats and restart the computer to finalize the scan process.

Originally published on August 21, 2015

About the author

58 thoughts on “Remove Fake Warning from Microsoft Edge”

  1. FAKE WARNINGS APPEARED WITH LATEST WIN10 UPDATE 1511 -10586. NO PROBLEMS UP TO THAT TIME,
    ALL OTHER BROWSERS WERE OK. I RAN THROUGH YOU SUGGESTIONS AND PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE CLEARED.
    MANY THANKS
    VIC

  2. I wish I could annoy and inconvenience these people as much as they have annoyed and inconvenienced me. I can’t praise you enough. Thank you for all your help.

  3. Excellent – and many thanks. It is surprising that Microsoft still claim to build a windows platform for an ultimate experience and they then produce a product like Edge which cannot seem to handle blocking such malware.

  4. Excellent! It worked like charm. Now I wish that everybody call the number 1-866-361-7747 and annoys the hell out of those people!
    Thank you very much for the procedure…

  5. Thanks. This worked for me. So irritated with Edge. Thankfully didn’t have it as my default browser.

  6. Wow, I really don’t know anything about computers and you are my hero, that stupid warning is gone and his computer is fast again. THANK YOU!! The instructions were easy to follow and worked like a charm! He doesn’t have to shoot his computer now.

  7. In Option 3, close your Microsoft Edge browser, sounds easy but there are some scam sites that make that impossible. However I have discovered something that works for me. I closed all tabs I could but there was just one that absolutely could not be closed, if I killed Edge using the Task Manager and logged off then it would still re-open. So I put my fingers over the Alt and F4 keys and immediately after clicking Ok in the message box I clicked Alt+F4. I was able to exit Edge normally. Then I deleted the one file in the “Recovery\Active” folder that you specify. That fixed Edge so it worked as before.

  8. System restore worked also. Use only on a system where you aren’t overly concerned about losing data or passwords etc.

  9. Thanks for the very clear and helpful instructions. Part of me wanted to call the 877 “technical support #” to blast them but I’m sure that would just open up a whole big can of worms.

  10. Open Task Manager and Leave Open. Find Edge (or Chrome or Explorer… What ever browser is hijacked) Highlight hijacked browser and end task. Leave Task Manager Open. Left hand HOVER over Ctrl+W (two fingers) With left hand at the ready… Open hijacked browser with mouse and rapidly tap Ctrl+W (TapTapTap) not (Tap,.. Tap,.. Tap) (Hold down Ctrl and just tap W) to close browser. If not done fast enough, close browser again with Task Manager and try again. Rapidly closing browser does not allow the bad (script?) to load and lock your browser. If your browser closed with Ctrl+W, try opening your browser normally. This method has worked for me for the longest. I hope it works for you.

  11. Thank you so much. My Edge browser was kaput with a (software download site) tab that would not close or allow any access to Edge’s settings. None of the usual routines worked (restarting, removing short-cuts, etc.). I succeeded in booting out the rogue by closing Edge using task manager, then locating the “Recovery\Active” folder of your Option 3 solution. There were two files in that folder. I deleted them. I re-opened Edge and all back to normal now. Much Appreciated.

  12. Thank you for this post. I was really upset as I had just rebuilt my computer from picking up a true virus, rather than just this browser hijacker. I hadn’t even set my restore points yet. I thought I was safe with my anti-virus and was only linking to site following the Olympics from Bing news. Turns out no where is safe.

    I followed your instructions and it worked liked a champ. 1st time, no issues. I am on a desktop and could not find an airplane mode, but changed every setting I could find to stop trying to auto-read anything.

    Thank you for this posting. I am very grateful!

  13. Bikramjit Mukherjee

    The following worked in few seconds:

    Our frozen edge window did not allow us to access the settings option to be able to delete the history/cookies. Without closing the frozen one using task manager, we opened a new edge window . The new window was not frozen and we were able to delete the browsing history and cookies. Next, we closed the new window and used the task manager to close the frozen one. The problem was resolved.

  14. I got a pop up scam with another tab opened, blue screen and that pop up in front of it saying to call this number. I clicked ok on accident, and I did option 5, went to task manager and ended Microsoft edge, and Internet Explorer. Then I went to go on internet explorer again and all that crap popped up again, so I went to task manager and ended it again. Now I am doing a full scan with McAfee. I do not know what do, or if it will happen again. How can I remove it for sure? The same thing happened on my mom’s laptop, but with her, she accidentally called the fake number, let them into her laptop and gave them her number, cards, address. I happened to know about it and went to end that call when I heard her talking on the phone to them. But it was too late, it’s been a few months, and now her laptop is with the company to get fixed because the people at best buy, where her laptop was from couldn’t do anything about it, it was really serious. But I don’t want to have to do that, or have to take it somewhere to be fixed as we don’t have that kind of money to spend on fixing it. And i also have a hard time trusting things or downloading things. I do not want to screw it up even more. I need it for school as I do everything online.

    Now that full scan from McAfee just was done and it said everything is protected, no threats, spyware, were detected. I was safe. So I went to click on Microsoft edge or whatever and it started up, but a second tab came up too with that same virus pop up scam. I am going to try another option from this page, but does anyone know anything about this stuff, I am usually good with laptops, technology all that. I have a Lenovo windows 10 laptop.

  15. I tried these steps on my laptop. Microsoft edge again popped up with multiple tabs as soon as I started the system. It opens the Bing.com search. Kindly help me. I am not able to do any other task on my system nor can I type. It is really weird and annoying. I am thinking of taking back up and reset my system if nothing works.

  16. John Ostrowski

    When Microsoft Edge stops working cut and paste the following line into the Windows 10 search line function:
    Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe

    The Search function then lists the above mentioned folder. Click on that folder name and Edge opens immediately to a Bing browser page that shows all the tabs that were open including the offending Warning tab. Close all those tabs using the X in the tab, then close the browser. When you re-open Edge it shows your normal home page. Problem solved! Don’t know why this works but it does. This seems a lot cleaner solution than many others mentioned.

    I keep this line of special text in a Word doc in an easy-to-find folder on my home screen so I can get at it and cut the line and paste it into the Windows Search line when I need it.
    Hope this helps.

  17. I just hit ctrl-alt-delete at the same time, let the task manager come up, and closed out Edge, and then turned off my computer. Sign on again, use Chrome for a while (now permanently, because I am over this) and the problem goes away.

    I must admit, though, after a fifth time of this occurring, I called the 888-606-5408 number and let the person “talk me through” the fix (eg…trying to gain access to my computer), then I cussed him out. This is great stress reliever.

  18. Thanks very much; worked a treat! Never had a problem like this before and it seems a more than a little ironic that Microsoft’s so-called flagship browser with all-singing and all-dancing security is wide-open to this kind of thing. Think I’ll stick with Comodo.

  19. Thank you sir! Options 1 + 2 did it for me. I knew it was malware so I just had to find the solution on the internet. However, I was soooo tempting to call that number and “play along” and waste their time. But then I thought they will have my calling number. Time to find a public or business phone… :)

  20. I just wasted my whole afternoon off work trying to sort out this problem believing I could never reopen my computer again without cursing Microsoft Edge.. and then I found your Option #3. I’m never going to get my hours back but I could hug you!! – I’m still going to curse The Edge, and probably migrate to a new browser finally. THANK YOU!

  21. Adam Arnoldussen

    That was awesome, I fixed it all by myself. I did this route
    2. Navigate to the following directory and delete/clear all the contents.

    C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_***\AC\MicrosoftEdge\User\Default\Recovery\Active\
    I could not find the \appdata\ so I had to type it in the address bar and I made it thru the rest of the \\\. Thank you.

  22. When this happened before, I called there phone number and warned them that if they didn’t find a way to remove it and stop this practice I would pay them back. The company is definable in India or Pakistan and I called them every 3 mins on a speed dial until they blocked my number. It was hilarious. If everyone would call, it would disrupt their business.

  23. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Option number 2 is what worked for us! We are very grateful for the help!

  24. When this occurred to me I just clicked on the windows button in the bottom left and shut down my computer. After my computer turned back on and I opened Edge I was able to close the tab before it loaded and that has been the end of it. I was a bit worried that the warning could have been real, but after reading this and some other articles I have been reassured that my computer is safe. Thank for you help and all the info on this page.

  25. I tried cleaning my browser and now edge won’t launch. This is the THIRD time I have been hijacked. Is there a way to delete and reinstall? I could not find it in control panel.

  26. Thank you! The fix worked. I called the number that was displayed when the virus notification took control of MS Edge. The guy who answered wanted access to my PC. It’s bad enough that they call my landline phone several times a week. Now they try to pull their scams this way. What nuisances they are. Glad there are those like you who make a positive impact.

  27. I went to all sorts of websites, tried all sorts of things for 3 hours…it was the last 2 items on this page that worked, option 6 and the lastly section…THANKS!!

    Actually option 6 killed it, but I’m followed the lastly recommendation.

    Thanks again.

  28. Many Thanks. This is the second time this has happened to me in 3 months. The first time I reset Computer. This article a Godsend.

  29. Thank you. Your tips worked great. Now if I could just get my hands on the people that made the malware

  30. Thanks you so very much. Your solution worked great. The instructions were very easy to follow. Even for a Noob like me. Again Thank You

  31. Thanks so much, you saved me. Very clear instructions. Just wonderful !!!! This virus seriously scared me !!!!!

  32. GOD BLESS YOU! I am good to go after following your suggestions. It took me a bit of work and a couple of tries but now I’m not getting that crap message from those illiterate scammers.
    THEIR #1-855-282-6042 (AND toll free:) is still up and running and awaiting YOUR calls!
    I offered them a hamburger or steak free of charge…but no takers :(

  33. Fantastic! Your instructions are clear and easy to follow. It worked perfectly. Thank you

  34. Option 3 worked for me. For those that can’t find “appdata” it is a hidden folder. Select VIEW and check HIDDEN ITEMS.

  35. If new-build Win 10 Edge is so flaky on security out of the box, why’d anyone want to use it at all? There is no need at all to choose Edge. Even if comes force-bundled into all Win 10, the old IE is still in your system. This is such a core element that MS cannot expunge. With that said: there are plenty of other browsers out there, as good as or better than Edge. My ideals are species of Mozilla. The only time IE or Edge force their way into my life are when I am off my system and on some office’s system.

  36. Sarah Hamilton

    I did a right click on the Edge on the task bar. Clicked on “Open in private window”, and then deleted the history. It’s so easy.

  37. How is this like, actually a problem? How does the Microsoft edge team let these obnoxious .JS popup scripts run ad nauseum without a simple interrupt like every other browser out there has had for like 10 years?

    I thought part of the point of edge was to break with legacy compatibility and fix the problems that lead to! I’m upset and disappointed. I shouldn’t have to use a workaround for spam phishing popup websites. at least give me control over repetitive focus from a single tab.

  38. Just received RED SCREEN supposedly from Microsoft virus warning. Could not X out of it. Unplugged PC and restarted – saw RED SCREEN again and noticed Server # 162.243.170.42. Finally able to X out and immediately checked Security Defender and WebRoot – NO ISSUES found. I typed in server number on web search. Found it to be from NY, Ocean, LLC. I contacted them as had options to send abuse. I reported Abuse to them. Person said would have someone look into it and fix. Threatened them with REPORTING TO FCC! How the hell can they hack into my computer? I also cleared all browsing history, cookies, etc. My PC is well protected.

  39. 6/8/2019: I’m not a technician, so I didn’t know what was blocking my laptop. I hope you have removed this problem, for me, in the future??

  40. My father is having this problem with his computer.
    Question:
    in this file directory:
    Name]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_xxxx\AC\MicrosoftEdge\User\Default\Recovery\Active\

    There is no “Active” folder in the “Recovery” folder, but we never deleted it and he is still having the same problem. Can we just delete the “Recovery” folder?

  41. @Keith, Instead of deleting, try renaming that folder or make a backup first. That way, you can always restore it if something bad happens.

  42. New issue with the task manager. Apparently as of at least January 2024 task manager no longer shows Edge as a process. The scammers may have found a way to obscure it but it definitely wasn’t there. Had to shut down this time.

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