Edge Frozen with Virus Warning Popup

Anonymous
2015-08-10T20:42:30+00:00

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]

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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
2015-08-13T17:59:55+00:00

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
2017-04-25T22:28:31+00:00

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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  1. Anonymous
    2015-09-16T20:41:32+00:00

    Hi.  Try this.  First, right click on your task bar (bottom of the screen) and launch TASK MANAGER.  Click "more details" in the lower left corner of task manager and then right click on the Windows Process "Edge" and click "exit."  Then launch Cortana and either type or say "go to google."  This will launch EDGE but the focus or active window will be GOOGLE.  DO NOT click on the first tab which is the errant tab.  Go into your settings (upper right hand corner; a group of bars) and look at the various options. One of them is "start with" and put a page address in there, like www.msn.com or www.google.com.  Close EDGE and reopen it and the errant window should be gone.  I recommend using an antivirus scanner (if you are experienced use Avast and do a boot scan which will start before Windows executes).  Do NOT do a boot scan if you are not experienced because you could wind up with a computer that will not boot.  Do a regular full scan if you are not a computer expert.  Then, install Malwarebytes (go to Malwarebytes.org) by downloading their premium product which has a 30 day free trial.  Do a comprehensive scan with this.  Caveat:  don't let it automatically delete everything it finds; it might delete an important file for one of your apps.

    As far as apps go, you CAN reinstall Windows 10 an keep your apps and documents.  The first thing you will want to do is create a restore point on an external drive, like a thumb drive.  Then you delete all the restore points on your PC because these could be infected also.  The reason you are doing a restore point on an external drive is it is better to be able to boot with a disk that MIGHT have something funky on it than not at all.  You will then want to refresh Windows and you will be given the option to keep your files and apps.  Select this option.  A couple of your apps may need minor repair but in general it works pretty well.  MAKE SURE THE DRIVE WITH THE RESTORE POINT IS NOT IN A USB PORT when you refresh Windows.

    I have used this tactic a couple times in similar situations and it worked like a charm.  I was an IT person and did small business networks and training.  Hope this helps.  BTW, right now I am at this forum because I am fixing a friend's PC with this same problem so the name on the account is not mine.  Good luck!

    Regards,

    Ed S.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-08-24T18:23:16+00:00

    Yes this worked but had to hold down ctrl+w at the same time when starting it up. Thanks for the help. I never use theses torrent site should have known better

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-22T04:16:49+00:00

    Do not expect any help from MIcrosoft!!!! Just on the phone with them after 6 hours of trying to get through only to be told that i need to pay them $99 for them to fix the problem. They also had the nerve to tell me that there is NO problem with Windows 10 Microsoft edge, that the problem must have been already in my computer but they could fix it for the $99. So if anyone has any idea how to fix it please help. I have tried several malware removals, used my webroot virus protection and the windows + X sfc/scannow with no results.

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