This article has been created in order to help explain what exactly is the Windows Media Center virus and show how you can remove it from your computer completely.
A new virus for Windows has been detected by security researchers to perform a wide variety of malicious tasks including to completely prevent access of the user to his computer. The malware’s primary purpose is to come on your computer, possibly by pretending to be a useful software, but is most likely a hoax antivirus program or any other similar PUP. Once such program is activated, it may trigger script which changes all of the programs on the affected computer to open Windows Media Center automatically, up to the point where you do not have any control over your computer system and everything you click on opens the software..
Threat Summary
| Name | Windows Media Center Virus |
| Type | Malware |
| Short Description | Sets Windows Media Center as a shortcut to any button or program on your computer and may perform other malicious activities as well. |
| Symptoms | Your computer’s icons all become shortcuts of Windows Media Center and each time you click on any button or try to access software via drop-down or the start menu of Windows, WMC is also opened.. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. Fake antivirus software. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Windows Media Center Virus. |
Windows Media Center Virus – How Did I Get It
The main way which is used for the Windows Media Center virus is to be executed on your computer as a result of having an unwanted program that may currently be residing In it. Such unwanted software aims to get victims to download and and install it, while they are thinking that their computer is compromised. A good example via which such fake antivirus and PC optimizer programs enter on your computer is fake messages, that often claim your computer is at risk, such as the one in the image underneath:
These types of messages often appear on your computer if you have visitied a website or if you have adware programs on your computer that display different types of advertising, such as pop-ups, banners and other form of ad-supported contents.
In addition to this, it is also common for unwanted programs to be spread as a result of being bundled well within the installers of third-party programs. These installers often aim to convince victims that the unwanted programs are advertised as a free extra to help improve your browsing experience, but in most cases that is not the situation. Also, in most cases these programs are well concealed within the “Advanced” or “Custom” installation steps when you install such free software from third-party websites. This is why, every time you download your favorite media player or other free software, we do recommend that you check each installation steps for bundled apps, because some of those are PUPs which effectively lead to viruses, like the Windows Media Center virus.
Windows Media Center Virus – Purpose and Activity
Windows Media Center virus is not actually related in any way to the original Windows Media Center by Microsoft. The malware only uses the software as it set’s it on your computer as a default program to open everything with it, by heavily modifying Windows. This ultimately results in the icons of each of your programs to be appearing as Windows Media Center objects, which appear like the following image shows:
Once clicked on, the apps basically act as shortcut to the original Windows Media Center and open the program:
And what is worse is that nothing on the computer works excep that you can open programs via the Run window, but then again, you still have to start it, using the hotkeys Windows Button + R. After having successfully crippled a computer system, the Windows Media Center virus may start to perform various different types of actvities on the victim’s computer, like most malware does:
- It may download other viruses on your computer.
- Collect your keystrokes.
- Download other adware on your computer.
- Install cryptocurrency miner viruses.
- Take screenshots of your desktop.
- Steal saved passwords and files from your PC.
In addition to all of those activities on your computer, the Windows Media Center virus does other nefarious actions as well. One of those actions is to delete your antivirus program and stop it from functioning. This activity results In the Windows Media Center virus to stay on your PC for longer periods of time.
Remove Windows Media Center Virus from Your Computer
In order to delete this virus from your PC, we do recommend that you isolate it first. One of the ways to do that is to follow the manual or automatic removal instructions underenath. Usually experts do advise to install an advanced anti-malware software for a faster and more effective removal process, but in this situation your computer is not able to open any program what so ever. This is why you will need to boot your computer into Safe Mode with networking, preferably by following the manual removal instructions below and then stop Windows Media Center as a service, after which revert the settings changed by the virus back to normal. To do that, you will need to open System Restore of Windows and get your compuer back to the restore point before this occurred. After this, as many security professionals do advise, you can check for malware, preferrably by installing an advanced anti-malware software. It will not only automatically take care of any nefarious programs installed on your computer, but will also protect your PC in the future as well.
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 Windows Media Center Virus from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Windows Media Center Virus from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Windows Media Center Virus from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Windows Media Center Virus from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Windows Media Center Virus from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Windows Media Center Virus from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Windows Media Center Virus from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Windows Media Center Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Windows Media Center Virus
Step 2: Uninstall Windows Media Center Virus 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 Windows Media Center Virus 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 Windows Media Center Virus 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 Windows Media Center Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Windows Media Center Virus 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 Windows Media Center Virus 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 malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner 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 Windows Media Center Virus 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 Windows Media Center Virus 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 Windows Media Center Virus 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 Windows Media Center Virus 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 Windows Media Center Virus will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Windows Media Center Virus 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.
My labtop cannot connected to the network. And I can’t Download SpyHunter. All my applications in my PC look like a file with Windows Media Center icon.( I didn’t find the reason & solution )… ♂️