I'll bet this has been here before, but I picked up a Desktop HP - Compac refurb from NewEgg that came with a MS Windows Reload of Win7 (official). It was sold to a friend, who now has a message saying the windows is fake, and NOW getting calls from "Microsoft"" complaining about interference to the computer network. I know it is a scam, but what do I do to get rid of it.? Thanks! Im going over tomorrow to look at the unit. BTW last fall this was $149 core2duo, onboard Itel 3000? video, 4gig ddr2, 1 tb?, cheap keyboard, no monitor.
fake windows alert?
- Thread starter bmwjohn
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Format hard drive, install Linux Mint
Problem solved
Problem solved
If it hasn't been used much and hasn't been customized with personal preferences/software, reinstall windows. If it has, run any and all free antivirus/antimalware software available.
malwarebytes
hitmanpro
emsisoft antimalware
eset web scan
f-secure web scan
malwarebytes
hitmanpro
emsisoft antimalware
eset web scan
f-secure web scan
Combofix is also a good one for getting rid of malware.
My guess is that your friend downloaded something and then entered his phone number in.
My guess is that your friend downloaded something and then entered his phone number in.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
My guess is that your friend downloaded something and then entered his phone number in.
Exactly. He has malware. You can try any/all of the malware suites available, or reload the software. I've used HitMan a few times with good success. Microsoft is never going to call you with extortion tactics to make your copy of WindBlows genuine.
My guess is that your friend downloaded something and then entered his phone number in.
Exactly. He has malware. You can try any/all of the malware suites available, or reload the software. I've used HitMan a few times with good success. Microsoft is never going to call you with extortion tactics to make your copy of WindBlows genuine.
Spybot S&D.
Malwarebytes.
Adaware.
Done, son.
Malwarebytes.
Adaware.
Done, son.
Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Never use Newegg again?
Newegg didn't install this. His friend obviously did.
One of the many fixes listed above should work to eliminate it.
Never use Newegg again?
Newegg didn't install this. His friend obviously did.
One of the many fixes listed above should work to eliminate it.
Go to "add/remove" programs and get rid of the junk.
Originally Posted By: bmwjohn
I'll bet this has been here before, but I picked up a Desktop HP - Compac refurb from NewEgg that came with a MS Windows Reload of Win7 (official). It was sold to a friend, who now has a message saying the windows is fake, and NOW getting calls from "Microsoft"" complaining about interference to the computer network. I know it is a scam, but what do I do to get rid of it.? Thanks! Im going over tomorrow to look at the unit. BTW last fall this was $149 core2duo, onboard Itel 3000? video, 4gig ddr2, 1 tb?, cheap keyboard, no monitor.
I have seen this issue a few times. 2 things behind it that I am aware of...
1.) - bad Windows Update( KB300439 )that came out back in late 2014 that Microsoft pulled right after because it caused problems for tons of people with a false( but still genuine as in from them )notification that their copy of Windows 7 was not genuine. Unless the update was downloaded somehow before your friend got the computer( maybe while being refurbished )this most likely is not the reason for what you have( coupled with the phone calls - did your friend try and call Microsoft himself 1st? - lots of fake Microsoft numbers out there that come up in searches ). It is worth checking into though. Unfortunately, the update in question, even when installed, doesn't always show in the Control Panel/Installed Updates section. There is a fix for it from Microsoft though...
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3024777
2.) - IMO this is most likely your friend's problem = malware that was downloaded somewhere. Does your friend visit a lot of porn sites and/or download a lot of things? You have to be very careful if you do those things. You need to keep your AV up to date and scan regularly and you need to regularly use a malware program. The phone call part is what makes me think this is a scam and not the bad KB issue( plus the time/date ). I am curious to know if your friend filled anything out that came up or tried calling the phone number on the warning popup( some have a number to call ). However they got it, the scammers now have his number and it will be passed around. He may have to change it.
To deal with the fake Microsoft warning you can try running a couple good antimalware programs like Malwarebytes and SpyBot S&D( the two run one after the other catch most anything ). I would do that 1st then I would download and run TweakNow Registry Cleaner and run that next. After that make sure it is updated and then run his antivirus program. I would also open Control Panel and under Add/Remove go through the list of installed programs and remove anything not needed or you don't recognize.
WARNING - use extreme caution when removing programs unless you are SURE of what they are. If you don't know what a listing is do a search online 1st to make sure it is not needed. Just do a search for is it safe to remove from my system or something similar. Remove unneeded/unwanted programs that are safe to remove.
After all that is done see if it is still coming up( do whatever you need do to make it appear( restart? ). If it isn't then advise your friend to be careful of where he browses and also be careful of what he downloads too. If it still is coming up then it is time to format the HD and reload the OS. It is a good time to do the upgrade to Windows 10 if it comes to that. Reload Windows 7, make sure it is updated to include Service Pack 1( a requirement for Windows 10 upgrade ), then do the Windows 10 upgrade before messing with installing software, printers, etc...
Good luck and hope this helps.
I'll bet this has been here before, but I picked up a Desktop HP - Compac refurb from NewEgg that came with a MS Windows Reload of Win7 (official). It was sold to a friend, who now has a message saying the windows is fake, and NOW getting calls from "Microsoft"" complaining about interference to the computer network. I know it is a scam, but what do I do to get rid of it.? Thanks! Im going over tomorrow to look at the unit. BTW last fall this was $149 core2duo, onboard Itel 3000? video, 4gig ddr2, 1 tb?, cheap keyboard, no monitor.
I have seen this issue a few times. 2 things behind it that I am aware of...
1.) - bad Windows Update( KB300439 )that came out back in late 2014 that Microsoft pulled right after because it caused problems for tons of people with a false( but still genuine as in from them )notification that their copy of Windows 7 was not genuine. Unless the update was downloaded somehow before your friend got the computer( maybe while being refurbished )this most likely is not the reason for what you have( coupled with the phone calls - did your friend try and call Microsoft himself 1st? - lots of fake Microsoft numbers out there that come up in searches ). It is worth checking into though. Unfortunately, the update in question, even when installed, doesn't always show in the Control Panel/Installed Updates section. There is a fix for it from Microsoft though...
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3024777
2.) - IMO this is most likely your friend's problem = malware that was downloaded somewhere. Does your friend visit a lot of porn sites and/or download a lot of things? You have to be very careful if you do those things. You need to keep your AV up to date and scan regularly and you need to regularly use a malware program. The phone call part is what makes me think this is a scam and not the bad KB issue( plus the time/date ). I am curious to know if your friend filled anything out that came up or tried calling the phone number on the warning popup( some have a number to call ). However they got it, the scammers now have his number and it will be passed around. He may have to change it.
To deal with the fake Microsoft warning you can try running a couple good antimalware programs like Malwarebytes and SpyBot S&D( the two run one after the other catch most anything ). I would do that 1st then I would download and run TweakNow Registry Cleaner and run that next. After that make sure it is updated and then run his antivirus program. I would also open Control Panel and under Add/Remove go through the list of installed programs and remove anything not needed or you don't recognize.
WARNING - use extreme caution when removing programs unless you are SURE of what they are. If you don't know what a listing is do a search online 1st to make sure it is not needed. Just do a search for is it safe to remove from my system or something similar. Remove unneeded/unwanted programs that are safe to remove.
After all that is done see if it is still coming up( do whatever you need do to make it appear( restart? ). If it isn't then advise your friend to be careful of where he browses and also be careful of what he downloads too. If it still is coming up then it is time to format the HD and reload the OS. It is a good time to do the upgrade to Windows 10 if it comes to that. Reload Windows 7, make sure it is updated to include Service Pack 1( a requirement for Windows 10 upgrade ), then do the Windows 10 upgrade before messing with installing software, printers, etc...
Good luck and hope this helps.
well, I tried several things including anti virus and some -utube suggestions, nothing wold work, anyway when I left at midnight I had gotten Windows 10 installing, checking everything, and now I need to go back and see if it works. Thanks!
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