Remove Windows Support Alert Pop-up

Windows Support Alert pop-up is a bogus system warning pretending to be from Microsoft operating system. It may look real but it is also clear that the window is only a web page originating from suspicious website. In fact, the site may display other warnings aside from Windows Support Alert. Hence, all of them are attempting to influence user to call fraudulent technical support hotline and obtain registration key claiming that it is the solution to unblock the computer. One of the fake alerts contains these warning messages:

Windows Support Alert
Your System Detected Some Unusual Activity.
It might harm your computer data and track your financial activities.
Please report this activity to +1-877-290-1999

If user attempts to close the Windows Support Alert, it will issue minor pop-up window containing special message about computer’s insecure activity stating the following:

Virus Alert From Microsoft
This computer is BLOCKED
Do not close this window and restart your computer.
Your computer’s registration key is Blocked.
Why we blocked your computer?
The Window’s registration key is illegal.
This Windows is using pirated software.
This Window is sending virus over the internet.
This Windows is hacked or used from undefined location.
We block this computer for your security.
Contact Microsoft helpline to reactivate your computer.

Windows Support Alert

Keep in mind that these fake warnings are cyber criminal’s idea to swindle money from victims. Windows Support Alert will appear even on clean or newly formatted computer system once user pays a visit to malicious web sites made specifically to display the bogus alert. On most instances, unwanted visit to Windows Support Alert pages is caused by malicious advertising scheme that employs excessive browser redirects. However, on some occasions, the main culprit is malicious software that is secretly residing on the computer. On this situation, the best thing to do is scan the computer with effective anti-malware tool. Complete guide to accomplish the removal of Windows Support Alert is presented on this page.

Windows Support Alert Removal Guide

Stage 1: Force Quit Internet Program

Most fake warning alert pop-ups are preventing users from closing the internet application to continually display the fake message. One way to stop the Windows Support Alert from showing is to force quit the affected internet browser program.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on the keyboard.

2. Click on Task Manager from the given options.

Task Manager - Windows Support Alert

3. On Task Manager window, select the affected internet application that is showing Windows Support Alert and click on End Task button.

Stage 2: Scan the computer with Anti-malware Program

1. Download the free anti-malware scanner called MalwareBytes Anti-Malware.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Download Link (this will open a new window)

2. After downloading, install the program. It may run automatically or you have to double-click on the downloaded file MB3-Setup.exe.

3. Proceed with the installation using only the default setup. If you need the complete setup procedure, it is available on the download page.

4. After the installation process, click Get Started to run the program.

5. Continue with the prompts until the main program opens.

6. On Malwarebytes Anti-malware console, click on Scan to run the most comprehensive detection method and find any hidden items linked to Windows Support Alert.

7. Wait for the anti-malware to finish scanning the computer.

MBAM-threatscan

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

Stage 3: Double-check for leftover of Windows Support Alert

1. Download the free scanner called Malicious Software Removal Tool.
Malicious Software Removal Tool Download Link (this will open a new window)

download-msrt

2. The tool automatically checks the operating system and suggest appropriate download version. Click on Download button to begin. Save the file to a convenient location, preferably on Desktop.

3. After downloading the file, Windows will prompt that download has completed. Click Run to start scanning for Windows Support Alert . Another option is to browse the location folder and double click on the file to run.

MSRT Icon

4. The tool will display Welcome screen, click Next. Please note the message “This tool is not a replacement for an antivirus product.” You must understand that this program is made specifically to find and remove malware, viruses, Trojans, and other harmful elements on the computer. It was not designed to protect the computer.

5. Next, you will see Scan Type. Please choose Full Scan to ensure that all Windows Support Alert entities and other harmful files left on the computer will be found and removed. For advanced computer user, you can opt for Customized Scan, if there are other drives or folders you wanted to include in this scan.

msrt2

6. Full scan may take a while, please wait for Malicious Software Removal Tool to complete the tasks. However, you may cancel the scan anytime by clicking on the Cancel button.

7. After scanning, the tool will reveal all identified threats. There may be other threats that our first scan fails to detect. Please remove/delete all detected items.

8. When removal procedure is complete, you may now close Malicious Software Removal Tool. We hope that Windows Support Alert have been completely deleted from the computer. Please restart Windows to proceed with the normal operation.

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