Powershell is one of the important inbuilt features of Windows as it allows a user to enhance its utility. The real Powershell.exe can be found among the system files and is never harmful. However, when your system is always connected to the internet, and you use it without proper protection, a fake file named Powershell.exe makes its way into your system. This .exe file is responsible for pop-up banners and ads appearing on your computer out of nowhere. Hence, you need ways to get rid of Powershell.exe.
The disguise of this virus appears so genuine that it becomes almost impossible for a regular user to spot it. There are many reasons why the Powershell.exe pop-up virus exists on your PC. Thankfully, there are ways to remove it from your computer as well.
In this article, let’s look at the causes of the Powershell.exe virus on your computer and ways to eliminate it. This is a must-read if you have had enough unnecessary pop-ups and banners on your desktop!
What is Powershell.exe Virus?
The Powershell.exe pop-up virus is a malicious program that takes the disguise of a PowerShell script and runs automatically in the background to give you uninvited ads and pop-up notifications out of nowhere.
The idea of this virus is to run in the background and target you for multiple products while making your PC slow. Sometimes, the script is also used for stealing data from your computer. Since the running process is called Powershell.exe, users tend to avoid it. This makes it easier for the virus to function properly.
How to Identify if Your System Has Powershell.exe Pop-Up Virus?
As far as the Powershell virus’ identification is concerned, there are signs that a user needs to understand, with unnecessary pop-up ads and notifications at the top. Some common things that you can come across if your PC is affected by the Powershell.exe virus are –
- Unnecessary notifications warning you to update your Virus definitions and antivirus program (that you do not have installed on your computer)
- Icons and applications appear on your desktop that you have never installed or remember using.
- Unnecessary problematic ad pop-ups about things you have never installed or searched about.
- Your PC starts running slowly, and you have no explanation for it. No new heavy applications were installed, nothing was changed, and your PC is getting slower daily.
- Potential phishing forms keep appearing in your notifications, asking you to fill up important information and files.
If any of these signs appear on your PC and you have no idea why any of this is happening, your PC is affected by a pop-up virus called Powershell.exe.
What can you do in such a situation? Well, there are ways you can get rid of it. Check them out in the next section.
4 Ways to Remove Powershell.exe Pop-Up Virus from Windows
Method 1 – Remove Any Malicious Third-Party Application You Find on Your PC
Sometimes the fixes are similar to the lowest fruits hanging in a garden. When Powershell.exe makes its way into your PC, there are certain applications that it tags along. You can look for these apps in your All Apps collection and get rid of them from there.
On a Windows desktop, you can find applications available on your PC in two ways.
Way 1 – Press Windows + R to open the Run search, and in the Run, use the command control appwiz.cpl. This will take you to the applications manager in the command prompt.
Way 2 – Press Windows + I to open System Settings and navigate to apps. In the Apps sections, simply click on Installed Apps, and you have a list of all the applications installed on your PC.
From both methods, you can check which applications are installed, which ones you know, and which ones you do not recall installing. Uninstall unwanted applications from the list and restart your PC, which may end your struggle with Powershell.exe pop-ups.
Method 2 – Run a System Restore to Roll Back to a Stable PC Configuration
If you have encountered the Powershell.exe virus and cannot identify the application causing issues, restoring your PC to a prior stable state is better. To do so, all you need to do is follow a few simple steps –
Step 1 – Press Windows + R to bring up the Run search.
Step 2 – In the Run search box, use the command rstrui and hit Enter key.
Step 3 – This will bring up the system restore wizard on your computer.
Step 4 – Click on Next to find restore points you have created in the past. Check the Show More Restore Points option to see all the available points.
Step 5 – Select a Restore Point from the list and click next. Keep in mind that once you have initiated the restore, you may not be able to stop it. Hence be careful before clicking Finish.
Once the restore is complete, your problem with Powershell.exe will be resolved completely.
Note : This method is best for users who remember a point in time when their PC first started showing signs that it was affected by the virus. As you need to choose a restore point before things go wrong. Else, restoring to a point when you already had the virus makes no sense. Hence, always choose a restore point based on when it was created.
Method 3 – Reset Your Browser to Its Factory Settings
Sometimes, the pop-up ads are limited to browsers. This is the initial stage of the Powershell.exe virus before it has spread across your PC. The Internet originates almost every malicious application that makes its way into your PC. Hence, your browser may have the initial jitters of the Powershell.exe virus.
Resetting the browser settings to factory defaults might allow you to minimize the impact of the virus on your PC, as now it will remove all the malicious add-ons from your browser.
To reset your browser, follow these steps (Steps to Reset Chrome)
Step 1 – Open Chrome on your computer.
Step 2 – In Chrome, address bar, use the following address –
chrome://settings/reset
Step 3 – This will lead you to the settings reset page.
Step 4 – Click on the reset option and later click Reset Settings in the pop-up.
These steps will help you remove all the extensions and add-ons on your browser and set it back to factory settings. If you use any other browser, you can simply navigate to its settings and look for reset options in the settings menu.
Method 4 – Use T9 Antivirus to Minimize Damage
If your PC has already caught up with the virus and its definitions, only removing it might not do the trick for you. The Powershell.exe virus is a serious deal and can cause some damage to your PC’s performance. Hence, it is better to use a reliable antivirus program to eliminate malicious programs affected by the virus.
Here’s how the tool can help –
Step 1 – Download T9 Antivirus from the link below and install it on your PC.
Step 2 – Once the tool is installed, allow it all the permissions required to scan your PC thoroughly.
Step 3 – Use the Quick Scan to run a preliminary check on the status of your PC.
Step 4 – Let the scan finish, and it will automatically help you get rid of infected files and programs.
Step 5 – Once the scan is complete, fix the found flaws. Make sure all the shields are active and running in the background for impeccable performance and security.
One of the best ways to prepare your PC for malicious files and viruses is to prepare it, and T9 Antivirus does that! Download today.
These 4 methods can help you remove the Powershell.exe virus from your PC. If none of these work for you, we are afraid you are at the severe stage of the malware, and you may need to re-install your copy of Windows. Format the current Windows installation and go for a new one.
Hopefully, these fixes work out for you as they have for many. Thanks for reading the post. Leave your comments below and let others know the best working method to fix the Powershell.exe popup virus on Windows.
Looking forward to your thoughts!
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