Virus Removal Guru

Windows Restore (WindowsRestore) Virus Removal Guide

Virus Type: Rogue Security Application
Threat Level: 8 / 10

Windows Restore, also known as WindowsRestore, is a new fake optimization program; optimization programs are designed to optimize the computer by making changes to software and hardware to make the computer perform faster and better. For example, a disk optimization program would optimize a computer hard disk by making files easier to access and cleaning up unused files. Windows Restore attempts to convince the user that there is an issue with their computer by making a majority of files hidden. By hiding the files, the user may believe that the hard drive is corrupt; however, the user can see these files by turning on “hidden files and folders” in folder options. The user can also make these files and folders unhidden by going to properties of these specific folders and deselecting the hidden box. Further in the guide we will detail how to see these files and how to make them unhidden (click here to view). Windows Restore is a clone of other fake computer optimization programs; these fake optimization programs are generally released on a weekly basis. The latest versions of this fake program are Windows Recovery and Windows Repair. Both of these programs were released in March 2022. The user comments at the bottom of this guide may provide insight into the successful removal of WindowsRestore.

Below is our recommended removal tool for Windows Restore. 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 Restore with task manager. If task manager has been blocked by Windows Restore, try using Process Explorer.

Windows Restore claims to offer a variety of services including being able to view the system status of the computer (computer hard drives, computer memory, system health, performance services and proactive protection), diagnostics (system safety & performance test along with RAM & storage memory test), and the ability to fix errors found. For example, Windows Restore claims to detect HDD read/write errors and scan for junk files and folders. Fake programs like Windows Restore use a variety of methods to enter and infect computers. Windows Restore was recently introduced around April 2022 and is generally installed without user permission through the use of a trojan horse, which is generally downloaded through a security flaw. However, there are also other methods which a fake antivirus program can infect a computer. For example, it has been reported that its previous clone, Windows Recovery, is spreading through a PDF exploit (a security flaw in the PDF file). Some fake antivirus programs have also spread through email attachments. Windows Restore main executable is generally a series of random characters, making it harder to be found by the user. The main executable will be in a different location for different operating systems. The main executable file is also generally hidden; therefore, the user will need to turn on the ability to see hidden files and folders. Windows Restore also different modules; these modules include Scanner Module, Standard Module, and Advanced Module. Similar to other fake programs, Windows Restore also displays in the right hand area of the program specific specifications; for Windows Restore, it will display the operating system, installed memory, and hard drive information.

Important - Windows Restore will hide other files and folders in the computer in an attempt to try and convince the user that there are issues with the hard drive. By turning on “show hidden files and folders,” the user will be able to see their files. In Windows 7, you can search “hidden files and folders” in the Windows Search Bar to find the folder options. To bring up the Windows Search Bar, click on the Windows 7 logo in the bottom left hand portion of the screen (this will bring up the programs). In Windows XP, the user will need to go to tools and then go to folder options in the file manager. In folder options, click “View” and scroll down to “Hidden files and folders.” This will allow the user to see the hidden files and folders. In order too make these files unhidden, you will need to go to the following location.

Windows Vista & Windows 7 – C:\Users\

Windows XP – C:\Documents and Settings\

The user will need to locate the folder with their username. They will then need to right click on the folder and left click on properties. This will bring up the properties. Deselect the hidden box and click ok. A box will come up and select to apply changes to the folder, subfolder, and files.

Windows Restore, like many other fake fake programs, will create a series of warnings and pop ups in order to scare the user into purchasing the fake program. Windows Restore hopes to make the user think that there are serious issues with the computer. Windows Restore may also create these warnings in an attempt to make it look legitimate to the user. Some of these warnings which are created by Windows Restore can be found below. Many of these warnings will come up when attempting to open a program. Windows Restore will generally close the program and then show the warning.

“Hard Drive Failure

RAM memory usage is critically high. RAM memory failure.”

Windows Restore, like many other fake fake programs, will also claim that there are many issues with the user’s computer. Some of these issues can be found below.

“Registry Error – Critical Error
Boot sector of the hard drive disk is damaged – Critical Error
Data Safety Problem. System integrity is at risk.
RAM memory temperature is 83 Celsius. Optimization is required for normal operation.
Read time of hard drive clusters less than 500 ms – Critical Error
A problem detected while reading boot operating system files
Drive C initializing error
Bad sectors on hard drive or damaged file allocation table – Critical Error
Hard drive doesn’t respond to system commands – Critical Error
35% of HDD space is unreadable – Critical Error”

Below is additional warnings created by Windows Restore.

“Critical Hard Disk Drive Error

Damaged hard drive clusters detected. Private data is at risk.”

It is recommended to use safe mode when removing the virus because Windows Restore 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 Restore can be removed by using the removal tool or by manually removing the virus.

View Windows Restore Files
View Windows Restore Keys

Common symptoms and characteristics of Windows Restore and other rogue security programs include:
1. Windows Restore is generally installed without user permission.
2. Windows Restore 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.

Manual Windows Restore Removal – In order to manually remove Windows Restore, the processes associated with Windows Restore 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 Restore entered the computer.

Important: Before attempting to manually remove Windows Restore, 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 Restore. However, please use discretion since these specific comments pertain to other fake antivirus programs.

Stop Windows Restore Processes (Learn How To Do This)
[random].exe

To clarify, [random].exe means that the executable will be a set of random characters.

Remove Windows Restore Files (Learn How To Do This)

Windows XP – C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\[random].exe

Windows Vista & Windows 7 – C:\ProgramData\[random].exe

The file location is different among operating systems (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7) due to a different method in which each operating system organizes files.

Windows Restore will generally make a large portion of files on the computer hidden. This includes the main executable for Windows Restore. Therefore, the user will need to turn on “show hidden files” in order to see these files. This feature can be found in the folder options under “Hidden files and folders.” In Windows 7, you can search “hidden files and folders” in the Windows Search Bar to find the folder options. To bring up the Windows Search Bar, click on the Windows symbol in the bottom left hand part of the screen. In Windows XP, the user will need to go to tools and then go to folder options in the file manager. In folder options, click “View” and scroll down to “Hidden files and folders.”

Remove Windows Restore Registry Keys (Learn How To Do This)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Windows Restore
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Windows Restore
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Windows Restore

Remove Windows Restore Startup Entry (Learn How To Do This)
[random].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 Restore.

Posted in: Malware Removal

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 5th, 2023 at 9:57 pm and is filed under Malware Removal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.