How to Remove Explorer.exe Malware

This article can help you to remove Explorer.exe Virus. The step by step removal works for every version of Microsoft Windows.

Explorer.exe is a legitimate Windows process. If it isn’t located in the C:\Windows folder, however, you are in for trouble! Many parasites camouflage their processes as legitimate system ones. And Explorer.exe is a process that often gets its name involved in malicious activities. Run a virus scam ASAP! From annoying adware to destructive ransomware, anything can manifest as Explorer.exe. The Trojans are the most common offenders. These viruses sneak into your computer and weaken your system’s defense mechanisms, as well as give the malicious actors a backdoor to your OS. The bad news is that these viruses are unpredictable. The Trojans are versatile parasites that not only have many functions but also affect their victims differently. The hackers use them to manipulate your device remotely. No one can tell you what to expect. What will happen to your computer depends on the hackers and their current needs. You can, however, be sure that these criminals won’t do you a favor. They use the Explorer.exe malware to cause harm!

How did I get infected with?

The fake Explorer.exe sneaks into your computer through trickery. It uses bundles, fake updates, corrupted links, spam messages, and, of course, pirated software. The Trojan lurks in the shadows and preys on naive users. Do not fall for its tricks. Note that its distribution methods rely on your (the user’s) carelessness. The virus needs you to download its malicious files, do install the fake updates, to click on the corrupted links. Don’t throw caution to the wind. No anti-virus app can protect you if you act that recklessly! Choose caution over carelessness. Your diligence is the key to a secure and infection-free computer. The good news is that even a little extra attention can spare you an avalanche of problems. So, don’t be lazy. Always take the time to do your due diligence. Don’t follow random links. Download software and updates from reputable (preferably official) sources only. And be wary of your inbox. Did you know that the good old spam messages are still the number one cause of Trojan infections? Don’t fall into this trap. Whether it’s an instant message or an email, treat all unexpected messages as potential threats. Always take a minute to verify the senders! If, for example, a company contacts you via email, go to their official website and compare the email addresses listed there to the suspicious one. If they don’t match, delete the pretender. You can double-check the addresses by entering them into a search engine. If they were involved in shady activities, someone might have complained online!

Why is this dangerous?

The Explorer.exe malware is a nasty one. It can run for weeks, even months without triggering any alarms. You notice it once the problems start. The virus helps other parasites sneak into your computer and thus, causes various errors and malfunctions. Prepare for performance issues, app crashes, and errors. The virus might force you to reboot your OS repeatedly. A simple restart, however, won’t stop it. This menace always finds a way to start its malicious processes. The fake Explorer.exe can cause utter havoc. Don’t focus on its irritating side, though. The issues are just the side effects of the malware infection. The virus is published by cybercriminals who don’t have your best interest in mind. They use the parasite to spread viruses and malware, to steal your personal information, and to trick you into online traps. The sneaky malware jeopardizes both your security and privacy. It is a serious threat that should not be neglected. The more time it spends on your computer, the bigger the chance it causes you serious harm! Don’t waste time in debates. Do what’s best for you and your cmputer: remove the parasite now. Find where it hides and delete it upon detection.

Manual Explorer.exe Removal Instructions

The Explorer.exe infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the Explorer.exe infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

STEP 1: Track down Explorer.exe related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Explorer.exe startup location

STEP 3: Delete Explorer.exe traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Explorer.exe related processes in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate Explorer.exe startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean Explorer.exe virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

Step 4: Undo the possible damage done by Explorer.exe

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for Explorer.exe, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

 

• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove Explorer.exe Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your whole system or network and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible virus leftovers or temporary files.