Windows Expansion System (WindowsExpansionSystem) Virus Removal Guide
Virus Type: Rogue Security Application
Threat Level: 8 / 10
Windows Expansion System, also known as WindowsExpansionSystem, is a new fake antivirus application. Windows Expansion System was recently released in late March 2023; other fake antivirus programs which look similar to Windows Expansion System are Windows Power Expansion and Windows LowLevel Solution (both were released in March 2023). Every couple of days a new version of this fake antivirus application is released (the only noticeable difference is the name of the virus). Windows Expansion System claims to offer a variety of services including System Security, Privacy, System Utilities, System Information, Media Tools, and Internet Security. Overall, Windows Expansion System claims to offer a variety of services; however, the program is fake. Windows Expansion System also displays in the right hand area of the program system information, which includes the name of the processing unit, the speed of the processing unit, and the operating system of the computer.
Windows Expansion System is generally installed without user permission through the use of a trojan horse, which is downloaded while browsing the internet. Generally, a trojan horse for this virus is downloaded through a security flaw in some type of software (either the browser or any application run in the browser). Generally, systems which haven’t been updated are more prone to get infected by this specific fake antivirus application. Windows Expansion System attempts to be legitimate by making itself look like the legitimate Microsoft Security Essentials program. Generally, programs like Windows Expansion System attempt to associate themselves with legitimate programs (for example, Microsoft Security Essentials) in order to hopefully trick the user into purchasing the fake program because the user may think that the program is legitimate. Windows Expansion System is similar in functionality to ThinkPoint and CleanThis. Windows Expansion System main executable is generally a series of random letters.
Below is our recommended removal tool for Windows Expansion System. 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 Expansion System with task manager. If task manager has been blocked by Windows Expansion System, try using Process Explorer.
Windows Expansion System, 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. The popups created will be very similar to the popups created by Windows Power Expansion and Windows LowLevel Solution. Windows Expansion System may also create these warnings in an attempt to make it look legitimate. Some of these warnings which are created by Windows Expansion System 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.
Detected items – Unknown Win32/Trojan
Alert Level – Severe
Recommendation – Remove
Status – Suspended”
“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.
“Microsoft Security Essentials Alert
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 Expansion System free version. Please register your Windows Expansion System 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.”
“Install Windows Expansion System
Install System Security modules
Install Privacy modules
Install System Utilities modules
Install System Information modules
Install Media Tools modules
Install Internet Security modules”
It is recommended to use safe mode when removing the virus because Windows Expansion System 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 Expansion System can be removed by using the
View Windows Expansion System Files
View Windows Expansion System Keys
Common symptoms and characteristics of Windows Expansion System and other rogue security programs include:
1. Windows Expansion System is generally installed without user permission.
2. Windows Expansion System 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 Expansion System since the viruses are similar.
Manual Windows Expansion System Removal – In order to manually remove Windows Expansion System, the processes associated with Windows Expansion System 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 Expansion System entered the computer.
Important: Before attempting to manually remove Windows Expansion System, 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 Expansion System. However, please use discretion since these specific comments pertain to other fake antivirus programs.
Stop Windows Expansion System Processes (Learn How To Do This)
[random letters].exe
Remove Windows Expansion System 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 Expansion System Registry Keys (Learn How To Do This)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Windows Expansion System
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Windows Expansion System
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Windows Expansion System
Remove Windows Expansion System 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 Expansion System.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 29th, 2024 at 4:51 pm 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.
