This article has been created in order to explain how to find and fix the error, going by the name of “pleasewait.exe” and how to remove the malware that may be associated with it.
Update September 2019. A new problem for Windows users has been detected to cause a BSOD error on the computers that are affected. The error displays a Windows pop-up, claiming that a vital file, called pleasewait.exe is missing from the user PC. The outcome of this is that the computers showing the error often tend to go into a BSOD (blue screen of death) state and then restart. This error is likely malware-related and this is why it is strongly recommended to read the following article in order to fix it.
Threat Summary
| Name | Pleasewait.exe Error |
| Type | Trojan/Virus |
| Short Description | Causes BSOD errors and pop-up errors and the system cannot function properly. Likely spyware or destructive type of malware. |
| Symptoms | You start seeing pop-ups claiming Windows cannot find “pleasewait.exe” and then you recieve the Blue Screen of Death with error c000021a. |
| Distribution Method | Via spam e-mails or malicious sites. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Pleasewait.exe Error. |
Pleasewait.exe ERROR – How Did I Get It
For the moment, it cannot be said for sure how this malware infects computers. However, one possible scenario could be via Windows activation software. The Pleasewait.exe ERROR is the type of malware, that may be included in hacktools, like activators that legitimize Windows licenses, such as fake versions of KMS activator or Loader by Daz.
Once the user downloads and installs the activator on his computer, the Pleasewait.exe error may start to pop-up. Another variant is for the error to begin to show up after some time has passed by. Either way, software cracks are probably the main reason why you may start to recieve this error.
Pleasewait.exe Virus – More Information
The Pleasewait.exe file is usually located in the following Windows directory:
→ C:\Windows Activation Technologies
C:\Windows Activation Technologies\wait.exe
In this folder, a file wait.exe which is most likely related to pleasewait.exe is located. It triggers the following warning on the victim computers:
Text from Image:
Windows cannot find ‘pleasewait.exe’. Make sure you typed the name correctly and then try again.
When the warning is closed, users may experience a BSOD immediately or after several moments. The BSOD returns the following error:
On newer Windows systems, the error appears like the following:
In addition to this, the error corrupts a multiple Windows System Files, which you can find in the CBS.log file after runnign Windows Command Prompt as an administrator and performing an “sfc /scannow” virus scan. The .log file has the following location:
→ C:\Windows\Logs\CBS.log
It is very likely that the wait.exe file may belong to a wide range of Trojan horses or viruses that may not only cause BSOD’s on the infected computers, but also perform other malicious activities on them, like:
- Take screenshots.
- Steal any saved passwords and login names.
- Obtain personal information.
- Copy and steal files from the victim PC.
- Log the keystrokes you type via a Keylogger component.
- Obtain your browsing history.
How to Fix Pleasewait.exe Error and How to Remove Viruses Infecting Your PC
To make sure that you fix the Pleasewait.exe error, we would strongly reccomend that you perform the following activities:
1. Boot your computer in Safe Mode using the steps below.
2. Remove the C:\Windows Activation Technologies folder.
3. Uninstall your default Antivirus Protection.
4. Run Windows Command Prompt as an administrator and in it type:
→”sfc /scannow”
.
This will check Windows for any error files and fix them.
5. Follow the manual instructions for virus detection (for experienced users) or automatically scan for any malware using the instructions in step “3” below to remove any viruses that may have come on your computer as a result of this malicious hacktool.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove Pleasewait.exe Error from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Pleasewait.exe Error from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Pleasewait.exe Error from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Pleasewait.exe Error from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Pleasewait.exe Error from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Pleasewait.exe Error from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Pleasewait.exe Error from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Pleasewait.exe Error from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Pleasewait.exe Error
Step 2: Uninstall Pleasewait.exe Error and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Pleasewait.exe Error on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Pleasewait.exe Error there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Pleasewait.exe Error from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Pleasewait.exe Error and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Pleasewait.exe Error via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Pleasewait.exe Error files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Pleasewait.exe Error, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Pleasewait.exe Error from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Pleasewait.exe Error from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Pleasewait.exe Error from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Pleasewait.exe Error from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Pleasewait.exe Error will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Pleasewait.exe Error from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
