Virus Removal Guru

Windows Tasks Optimizer (WindowsTasksOptimizer) Virus Removal Guide

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

Windows Tasks Optimizer is a fake computer security application. The program was released around May 14, 2023, which is roughly one day after the previous version, Windows Work Catalyst. A security application provides computer security through various tools such as antivirus and antispyware. A version of this virus is generally released daily. Previous versions include Windows Attention Utility and Windows Inspection Utility. These version have the same look but a different name. Windows Tasks Optimizer claims to offer a variety of tools including computer safety, network security, private data protection, hard drive optimization, media components, and memory & devices. The name, Windows Tasks Optimizer, is also confusing generally to the user.

Windows Tasks Optimizer is generally downloaded and installed without user permission through the use of a trojan horse. The trojan horse is generally downloaded while browsing the internet through some type of security flaw. The flaw in generally in any software used to access the web and it enters through malicious code on a website. Windows Tasks Optimizer is similar in functionality to ThinkPoint and CleanThis. Windows Tasks Optimizer main executable is generally a series of random letters.

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

Windows Tasks Optimizer, 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 program will attempt to scare the user with viruses names like Backdoor.Win32.Rbot and Virus.Win32.Sality. Some of these warnings which are created by Windows Tasks Optimizer can be found below.

“Warning!

Enable Protection – Click to activate antivirus and remove all infections.”

“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.”

It is recommended to use safe mode when removing the virus because Windows Tasks Optimizer 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 Tasks Optimizer can be removed by using the

View Windows Tasks Optimizer Files
View Windows Tasks Optimizer Keys

The user comments for ThinkPoint and the user comments for CleanThis may provide insight into removing Windows Tasks Optimizer since the viruses are similar.

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

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

Stop Windows Tasks Optimizer Processes (Learn How To Do This)
[random letters].exe

Remove Windows Tasks Optimizer Files (Learn How To Do This)

Windows XP – C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\[random letters].exe

Windows Vista & Windows 7 – C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\[random letters].exe

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

Remove Windows Tasks Optimizer 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 Tasks Optimizer.

Posted in: Malware Removal

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 14th, 2023 at 2:05 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.