How to remove Windows Movie Maker virus

Complete tips to delete Windows Movie Maker virus

Windows Movie Maker virus is a legit video editing application from Microsoft. The software was discontinued in first month of 2017 and all exits in the internet is the fake version of the app distributed by cybercriminals. You should beware of this. Once installed, this suspicious application pushes its licensed versions, i.e., asking users to pay for its full version to full access the app.

The fake video editing software has its promotional/ download website as windows-movie-maker.org, which appears on the top of Google search results when you type movie maker. The similar name to the legit Microsoft belonging software might encourage you download this rogue program.

As per security experts, the cyber-intruder can be detected as Win32/Hoax.MovieMaker name. The main purpose of the malware is to convince users into spending money for this fraudulent video editing program. After the installation, users find that they have downloaded trail version of the app that does not provide its full feature.

When you use the fake version of the program, you will see the following message on its pop-up:

This feature is unavailable in Trial Version. Please buy full version software to use this feature.

or

This is Trial Version of Windows Movie Maker. Please buy full version for full-featured software and tech support.

Users who decide to obtain the license, will get redirected to a payment website where they are asked to pay $29.99 for the non-existing version. Huge 25% discount on this price is offered so as to motivate the users into falling for the scam.

Researchers do not find any suspicious content in this program and so it seems that the crooks are using this application just for money generation through convincing users into paying for license. However, if you are the one of the unlucky users who suffered from the scam, you should immediately remove Windows Movie Maker virus from system. Check the guide below the post or use some reputable antivirus tool to perform the removal process with an ease.

The bogus tool could be downloaded from its official website

Users often looking for freeware video editing apps might find some hoax software download websites among the top of the search results. These programs might be available in various file-sharing sites, p2p networks and torrents. Additionally, it might be promoted in freeware packages. Security experts suggest following this to avoid the installation of any hoax software:

• Always research before downloading any software, read user reviews, look up for information about developers and etc,
• Download software from the publisher’s websites only,
• Always read EULAs, Terms of Use, Privacy Policy or similar documents to find the important details like program’s operation, data tracking and so on.

Talking about this particular program, the malware sign of its being hoax is its developers. Originally, the software is developed by Microsoft. However, the fake download site tells that it is developed by windows-movie-maker.org.

Get rid of Windows Movie Maker virus

If you have Windows Movie Maker virus installed on your system, you should get rid of it immediately. You can do this using some reputable antivirus tool. However, if you do not want to use any security tools, refer our manual instructions to remove the infection manually.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove Windows Movie Maker virus:

Remove the related items of Windows Movie Maker virus using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing Windows Movie Maker virus issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (Windows Movie Maker virus) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to Windows Movie Maker virus removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter. In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to Windows Movie Maker virus still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove Windows Movie Maker virus plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”. Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in Windows Movie Maker virus removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete Windows Movie Maker virus (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications. Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.