Edge Frozen with Virus Warning Popup

Anonymous

After navigating to a web page, a popup hijacked the Edge browser.

The popup is a false virus warning, with audio, that repeats endlessly.

I used Task Manager to close Edge browser, but after re-opening, it returns to the hijacked page. There is no time to open another tab, or reach settings. How can this be cleared.

First I tried searching for /user/appdata for Edge entries, and only found a couple, deleted them, but no effect.

I launched msconfig, and set to boot to Safe Mode, minimal. I tried launching Edge in Safe, but you get a warning saying Edge will not launch using the built in administrator account. IE still ran, but no network (as you might expect). I cleared history in IE. But then was unable to relaunch msconfig! Pressing Start flashed a start menu but it disappeared. Selecting the search box wound not search. I ended up launching Control Panel using win+x, and finding System Configuration that way.

When I returned to normal Windows, Edge was set back to its home page.

Clearly this is not a good work around. I can't imagine explaining it to my little niece or grandmother.

Please suggest something more rational.

[Moved from Windows]

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous

When this happened to me, I closed Microsoft Edge using the Task Manager.

Then in the search bar next to the Windows 10 logo on the bottom off the screen (I call it the "Cortana Search"), I typed in google.com and hit enter.

Microsoft Edge opened up with a new tab for Google. You can see the offending site still opens in a tab that doesn't have focus. Click the "X" to close Edge. Do not click on the offending site tab or it will get focus again.

When Edge closes nicely, I won't "Restore" the sessions and the offending site tab will be gone.

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Anonymous

This did not work. It closed the offending page, but when I re-opened Edge it popped back up again.

It's a common scam. Click the OK button at the bottom of the popup. You should then see a box Do not allow this site to create new messages. Check it and then close the window.

If that doesn't work, for Edge, follow the instructions by Scott_Ki here:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect_other-protect_scanning/edge-frozen-with-virus-warning-popup/7212a393-90ad-48d0-ab55-4ffe1f21a554?page=2&msgId=7618ae67-bf16-4155-bf90-d8a7405ee199

For all other browsers, use the Task Manager to exit the browser. Reboot and see if the pop-up goes away.

How to Use the New Task Manager.

http://www.wikihow.com/Open-Windows-Task-Manager

If the problem persists, for any browser:

Remove Tech Support Scam pop-up (Call For Support Scam)

http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-tech-support-scam-popups/

Please read:

PSA: Tech Support Scams Pop-Ups on the Rise

https://blog.malwarebytes.org/fraud-scam/2014/11/psa-tech-support-scams-pop-ups-on-the-rise/

Breaking down a notably sophisticated tech support scam M.O.

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/mmpc/2017/03/02/breaking-down-a-notably-sophisticated-tech-support-scam-m-o/

For more information, see this post by GreginMich

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect_other-protect_scanning/1-888-2361-scam/0990122e-61a9-431b-947e-a904c202fa7c?msgId=8d26f1a8-041a-4351-9c24-a222fb305cbd

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195 additional answers

Anonymous

2016-05-07T19:57:57+00:00

Three times now I have had this popup freeze Edge. I was able to get it to stop twice but this third time nothing has worked. A Norton tech told me most antivirus programs will not work with Windows 10 because Microsoft refuses to share info that will allow antivirus software companies to develop fixes for viruses for Windows 10 users. He told me not to use Edge as my browser because of that.

I've run a full scan and no viruses have shown up but I don't know for sure that my computer isn't infected due to this disconnect between Edge and antivirus programs. I will not be using Edge again as I don't want to risk having my computer infected.

You'd think Microsoft would fix this but, as with other problems I've had with Windows 10, they won't fix anything or give you advice on how to fix it.
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Anonymous

2016-05-08T14:35:52+00:00

I use a third party anti virus now...McAfee livesafe and Google chrome as my browser as far as edge goes .....you can't fix what was never completed they go by our rants to try and figure out issues....trial and error so-to-speak....if the popup appears again go to your task manager and kill the process ...it'll be obvious which one it is....then reset your laptop, computer, without losing your files or system restore....
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Anonymous

2016-05-09T19:22:11+00:00
I have had two different formsw of this scam. I called. They want you to download software that gives them complete access to your computer.

Removal is very simple:
1. Close Edge with taks manager.
2. Unpin Edge from the tray at the bottom.
3. Press the Windows Key.
4. Right click on the Edge tile and unpin from the start.
5. Start edge using Cortana.
6. Right click on the Edge symbol in the tray and pin to start.
That's all yuou have to do.

Now if "MPC Safe Search" was so easy...
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