How to remove Wanacry Ransomware and recover files

Easy tips to delete Wanacry Ransomware and decrypt files

Wanacry Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts stored files and appends their filenames with .wanacry extension. For example, it renames a file named “1.jpg” to “1.jpg.wanacry”, “sample.jpg” to “sample.jpg.wanacry”. and so on. The malware also creates a ransom note “HELP_DECRYPT_YOUR_FILES.txt” file).

As explained in the ransom note, victims cannot recover the files without a private key. That key can be purchased for $3000. People have to pay the money in Bitcoin. Victims are instructed to pay a ransom to the provided BTC wallet and then write an email to the [email protected] and wait for the further instructions.

Usually, crooks behind ransomware attacks are the only ones who have the right decryption tool. Even though, it is highly recommended not to contact/pay to these people however small these amounts for you to be.

These people often do not provide the decryption tool even if all their demands are met. In other word, the users who pay even do not receive the decryption tool. Therefore, they suffer financial loss and their files remain encrypted.

Removing Wanacry Ransomware even will not decrypt the files encrypted, although it is necessary to prevent further files encryption. For the files recovery, existing backups are the best way. But, not all people have the existing backups.

Other possible alternatives are Shadow Copies and data recovery tools. Shadow Copies are automatically designed backups from Windows OS. Sometimes, ransomware leaves this option untouched during the entire process of the system attack and files encryption.

There are many third party tools also available that claim to provide access to damaged, altered, virus infected and corrupted files. Below the post, in the data recovery section, you will find more on data recovery instruction. There, you will also find complete guide how to remove Wanacry Ransomware from system.

How did Wanacry Ransomware enter my system?

Usually, ransomware are distributed through Trojans, emails, untrustworthy sources for downloading files/ programs, software cracking tools/ installers for pirated software or fake software updaters. In order to deliver malware through email, crooks send letters containing malicious attachments or links.

Recipients infect systems through emails by opening malicious files downloaded from or through them. Malicious files downloaded from unreliable sources such as p2p networks, third party downloaders, unofficial sites cause damage when users execute them.

Software cracking tools are supposedly to activate licensed software in illegal way. Very often, these tools are used to distribute malware. Fake software updaters cause damage by injecting malware instead of updates, fixes for installed software or exploiting vulnerabilities of outdated software.

Text presented in Wanacry Ransomware‘s text file (“HELP_DECRYPT_YOUR_FILES.txt”):

Oops All Of your important files were encrypted Like document pictures videos etc..

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!

All your files, documents, photos, databases and other important files are encrypted by

a strong encryption.

How to recover files?

RSA is a asymmetric cryptographic algorithm, you need one key for encryption and one

key for decryption so you need private key to recover your files. It’s not possible

to recover your files without private key.

The only method of recovering files is to purchase an unique private key.

Only we can give you this key and only we can recover your files.

What guarantees you have?

As evidence, you can send us 1 file to decrypt by email We will send you a

recovery file  Prove that we can decrypt your file

Please You must follow these steps carefully to decrypt your files:

Send $3000 worth of bitcoin to wallet: 1Ai6i8cmCmoDqvvUstqrpA2DHzULkUsWMA

after payment,we will send you Decryptor software

contact email: [email protected]

Your personal ID: –

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Programs and files should have to be downloaded from official websites and direct links. Installed programs should have to be activated and updated using tools/ functions from tools/ functions from official developers.

Attachments and website links in any emails whose senders’ addresses seem suspicious, irrelevant, unknown should never be opened. The operating system should have a reputable antivirus tool installed and kept updated.

If the system is already infected, we recommend you use some reputable antivirus tool and run a full system scan using it. The software will find Wanacry Ransomware and all associated components and remove them from the system automatically.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Wanacry Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Wanacry Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Wanacry Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete Wanacry Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Wanacry Ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to Wanacry Ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Wanacry Ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of Wanacry Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by Wanacry Ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like Wanacry Ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by Wanacry Ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with Wanacry Ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove Wanacry Ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.