Windows Power Expansion (WindowsPowerExpansion) Virus Removal Guide
Virus Type: Rogue Security Application
Threat Level: 8 / 10
Windows Power Expansion, also known as WindowsPowerExpansion, is a new fake security application. Windows Power Expansion was recently released in March 2023; Windows Power Expansion is one of many fake antivirus programs which has been released in March 2023. One unique thing about this specific fake antivirus program is that a clone of this virus is being introduced once every day. Essentially, this fake antivirus is being created everyday with a new name. The last released programs which are similar to Windows Power Expansion are Windows Simple Protector and Windows Background Protector. Windows Power Expansion claims to offer a variety of services including System Security, Privacy, System Utilities, System Information, Media Tools, and Internet Security. Windows Power Expansion (similar to many other fake antivirus programs) displays in the right hand area of the program system information; this information includes the name of the processing unit, the speed of the processing unit, and the operating system of the computer. Windows Power Expansion is generally installed without user permission through the use of a trojan horse, which is downloaded while browsing the internet. Generally, a trojan is downloaded through a security flaw in the software; the software can be the web browser or any application that is run through the web browser. Windows Power Expansion attempts to look legitimate by making itself look like the legitimate Microsoft Security Essentials program. However, it is important to note that Microsoft Security Essentials is a free program. Windows Power Expansion probably attempts to look like Microsoft Security Essentials in order to hopefully trick the user into purchasing the fake program. Windows Power Expansion is similar in functionality to ThinkPoint and CleanThis. Windows Power Expansion main executable is generally a series of random letters.
Below is our recommended removal tool for Windows Power Expansion. The removal tool has been rated 5 cows out of 5 by Tucows and was previously CNET’s Editor’s Choice. Feel free to download it below.
If you are unable to run the removal tool, or are unable to run any programs in general, you may need to stop the processes associated with Windows Power Expansion with task manager. If task manager has been blocked by Windows Power Expansion, try using Process Explorer.
Windows Power Expansion, like many other fake antivirus programs, will create a series of warnings and pop ups in order to scare the user into purchasing the fake program. Windows Power Expansion may also create these warnings in an attempt to make it look legitimate. Some of these warnings which are created by Windows Power Expansion can be found below.
“Microsoft Security Essentials detected potential threats that might compromise your privacy or damage your computer. Your access to these items may be suspended until you take an action. Click ‘Show details’ to learn more.”
“Warning
Potentially harmful software is detected. To enable the security mode and remove harmful software it is recommend to perform a cleanup.
Deny
Forbid the execution of potentially harmful software.
Enable Protection
Click to activate antivirus and remove all infections.”
These two different warnings are generally shown when opening programs on the computer.
“Security system analysis has revealed critical file system vulnerability caused by severe malware attacks.
Risk of system files infection: High.
The detected vulnerability may result in unauthorized access to private information and hard drive data with a serious possibility of irreversible data loss and unstable PC performance. To remove the malware please run a full system scan. Press ‘OK’ to install the software necessary to initiate system files check. To complete the installation process please reboot your computer.”
“The Customer service is not available for the users of Windows Power Expansion free version. Please register your Windows Power Expansion version to be able to use all the functionalities.”
“System Security Warning
Attempt to modify register key entries is detected. Register entries analysis is recommended.”
“Application that seems to be a key-logger is detected. System information security is at risk. It is recommended to enable the security mode and run total System scanning.”
It is recommended to use safe mode when removing the virus because Windows Power Expansion will generally not be able to load in safe mode. To enter safe mode, restart the computer and press F8 multiple times before the Windows screen to bring up the boot options.
The safe mode with networking option will allow the user to be able to use the internet in safe mode. Windows Power Expansion can be removed by using the
View Windows Power Expansion Files
View Windows Power Expansion Keys
Common symptoms and characteristics of Windows Power Expansion and other rogue security programs include:
1. Windows Power Expansion is generally installed without user permission.
2. Windows Power Expansion uses pop ups and fake virus scans to scare the user.
3. Various antivirus and system programs on the user’s computer will stop functioning.
The user comments for ThinkPoint may provide insight into removing Windows Power Expansion since the viruses are similar.
Manual Windows Power Expansion Removal – In order to manually remove Windows Power Expansion, the processes associated with Windows Power Expansion must be stopped, the files associated with the processes must be removed, and the registry entries must be corrected to the previous state before Windows Power Expansion entered the computer.
Important: Before attempting to manually remove Windows Power Expansion, we recommend that the user read through comments posted by other users on how they removed specific fake antivirus programs since many fake antivirus programs are similar. These comments can be found by clicking here. These comments may provide additional information which may be useful in removing Windows Power Expansion. However, please use discretion since these specific comments pertain to other fake antivirus programs.
Stop Windows Power Expansion Processes (Learn How To Do This)
[random letters].exe
Remove Windows Power Expansion Files (Learn How To Do This)
Windows XP – C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Local Settings\Application Data\[random letters].exe
Windows Vista & Windows 7 – C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\[random letters].exe
Remove Windows Power Expansion Registry Keys (Learn How To Do This)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Windows Power Expansion
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Windows Power Expansion
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Windows Power Expansion
Remove Windows Power Expansion Startup Entry (Learn How To Do This)
[random letters].exe
Common Questions -
1. What is a computer virus? (Click Here To View)
2. How did I get this computer virus? (Click Here To View)
3. What common symptoms show that my computer may be infected? (Click Here To View)
4. What is a rogue security application? (Click Here To View)
5. What are some antivirus and antispyware programs which I can use to remove viruses and spyware? (Click Here To View)
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to comment below. If you need any help with any of the steps, please don’t hesitate to comment below. We recommend that you follow our safety tips so that you can keep your computer clean Please Click Here to View Our Safety Tips.
Your feedback is very highly valued by others so please feel free to comment below. Please feel free to share a solution that you may have used to remove Windows Power Expansion.
This entry was posted on Saturday, March 26th, 2024 at 2:19 am and is filed under Malware Removal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
