Windows Defender Alert fake alert virus – How to remove [Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge]

Moreover, the adware can substitute the legitimate advertisements on misleading or even banners that can offer to visit harmful web-pages. The reason is simple, many advertisers agree on any ways to attract users to their web pages, so the creators of ad-supported software, often forcing users to click on an advertising link. For each click on a link, the authors of the ‘ad supported’ software receive income. It is the so-called ‘Pay-Per-Click’ method.

In addition to that, as was mentioned earlier, certain ad supported software to also change all browsers shortcuts which located on your Desktop or Start menu. So, every infected shortcut will try to redirect your web browser to unwanted ad web-sites like the fake Windows Defender Alert, some of which might be harmful. It can make the whole personal computer more vulnerable to hacker attacks.

It is important, do not use Windows Defender Alert web-page and don’t click on ads placed on it, as they may lead you to a more harmful or misleading web sites. The best option is to use the guidance posted below to free your PC of adware and thereby delete Windows Defender Alert fake pop up error.

Fake Windows Defender Alert popup removal guide

There are a few solutions that can be used to delete Windows Defender Alert fake popup. But, not all PUPs like this adware can be completely removed utilizing only manual methods. Most commonly you’re not able to remove any ‘ad supported’ software utilizing standard Microsoft Windows options. In order to get rid of Windows Defender Alert pop-up scam you need complete a few manual steps and run reliable removal utilities. Most IT security professionals states that Zemana Anti-malware, Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner tools are a right choice. These free programs are able to scan for and get rid of Windows Defender Alert popup scam from your personal computer and return your internet browser settings to defaults.

How to remove Windows Defender Alert fake pop up without any software

The step by step guide will help you delete Windows Defender Alert pop-up. These Windows Defender Alert removal steps work for the Google Chrome, FF, Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer, as well as every version of Windows operating system.

Delete suspicious and potentially unwanted applications using Microsoft Windows Control Panel

Some potentially unwanted applications, browser hijacking software and adware can be uninstalled by uninstalling the free software they came with. If this way does not succeed, then looking them up in the list of installed programs in Windows Control Panel. Use the “Uninstall” command in order to delete them.

Press Windows button , then click Search . Type “Control panel”and press Enter. If you using Windows XP or Windows 7, then click “Start” and select “Control Panel”. It will display the Windows Control Panel as shown below.

Further, click “Uninstall a program”
It will open a list of all applications installed on your system. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall any suspicious and unknown programs.

Fix infected browsers shortcuts to get rid of Windows Defender Alert redirect

After installed, this adware may add an argument like “http://site.address” into the Target property of the desktop shortcut for the Chrome, IE, Firefox and Edge. Due to this, every time you run the browser, it will open an intrusive ad web-page.

Right click on the browser’s shortcut, click Properties option. On the Shortcut tab, locate the Target field. Click inside, you will see a vertical line – arrow pointer, move it (using -> arrow key on your keyboard) to the right as possible. You will see a text “http://site.address” that has been added here. Remove everything after .exe. An example, for Google Chrome you should remove everything after chrome.exe.

To save changes, press OK . You need to clean all internet browser’s shortcuts. So, repeat this step for the FF, Chrome, Internet Explorer and Edge.

Get rid of Windows Defender Alert fake pop-up from Internet Explorer

By resetting Internet Explorer web-browser you restore your internet browser settings to its default state. This is basic when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by adware that causes misleading Windows Defender Alert fake popup on your web browser.

First, run the IE, then press ‘gear’ icon . It will display the Tools drop-down menu on the right part of the web browser, then press the “Internet Options” as shown below.

In the “Internet Options” screen, select the “Advanced” tab, then click the “Reset” button. The Internet Explorer will open the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” dialog box. Further, press the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. Next, click the “Reset” button as shown in the figure below.

After the process is finished, press “Close” button. Close the IE and restart your personal computer for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your browser’s home page, new tab page and search provider by default to default state.

Get rid of Windows Defender Alert pop up scam from FF

Resetting your Firefox is good initial troubleshooting step for any issues with your web browser application, including the redirect to Windows Defender Alert web site.

First, open the Mozilla Firefox. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will display the drop-down menu. Next, click the Help button ().

In the Help menu click the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page click on “Refresh Firefox” button as shown on the image below.

Confirm your action, click the “Refresh Firefox”.

Remove Windows Defender Alert fake pop up error from Google Chrome

Reset Google Chrome settings is a easy way to remove the ad supported software, harmful and adware extensions, as well as to restore the web-browser’s start page, newtab and search engine by default that have been modified by adware that cause misleading Windows Defender Alert pop up to appear.

First run the Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will display the main menu. Further, click the option named “Settings”. Another way to display the Google Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter.

The web browser will display the settings screen. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Show advanced settings” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset settings” section is visible, like below and click the “Reset settings” button.

The Chrome will display the confirmation prompt. You need to confirm your action, press the “Reset” button. The internet browser will start the procedure of cleaning. Once it is done, the internet browser’s settings including newtab, home page and search provider by default back to the values that have been when the Google Chrome was first installed on your personal computer.

Get rid of unwanted Scheduled Tasks

Once installed, the ad supported software can add a task in to the Windows Task Scheduler Library. Due to this, every time when you launch your computer, it will show Windows Defender Alert annoying web-site. So, you need to check the Task Scheduler Library and remove all harmful tasks which have been created by malicious application.

Press Windows and R keys on your keyboard at the same time. It will display a prompt that called Run. In the text field, type “taskschd.msc” (without the quotes) and click OK. Task Scheduler window opens. In the left-hand side, press “Task Scheduler Library”, as shown on the screen below.

In the middle part you will see a list of installed tasks. Select the first task, its properties will be show just below automatically. Next, click the Actions tab. Necessary to look at the text which is written under Details. Found something like “explorer.exe http://site.address” or “chrome.exe http://site.address” or “firefox.exe http://site.address”, then you need remove this task. If you are not sure that executes the task, then google it. If it is a component of the adware, then this task also should be removed.

Further press on it with the right mouse button and select Delete as shown on the image below.

Repeat this step, if you have found a few tasks that have been created by ‘ad-supported’ software. Once is done, close the Task Scheduler window.

How to get rid of Windows Defender Alert fake pop up with free applications

The easiest solution to remove Windows Defender Alert pop up is to use an antimalware program capable of detecting this ‘ad supported’ software which cause misleading Windows Defender Alert fake pop up error to appear. We suggest try Zemana Anti-malware or another free malware remover that listed below. It has excellent detection rate when it comes to adware, browser hijacker infections and other PUPs.

Automatically remove Windows Defender Alert fake pop up error with Zemana Anti-malware

We suggest using the Zemana Anti-malware which are completely clean your machine of the ad-supported software. The tool is an advanced malware removal program developed by (c) Zemana lab. It is able to help you get rid of potentially unwanted programs, hijackers, malicious software, toolbars, ransomware and adware that causes web browsers to display misleading Windows Defender Alert pop-up.

1. Download Zemana antimalware (ZAM) from the link below.
   
   

   Zemana AntiMalware
   164032 downloads
   Author: Zemana Ltd
   Category: Security tools
   Update: July 16, 2019
   
2. When the download is complete, close all software and windows on your personal computer. Open a folder in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.
3. Further, press Next button and follow the prompts.
4. Once installation is done, click the “Scan” button to start checking your computer for the ad-supported software which developed to show misleading Windows Defender Alert fake pop-up within your web-browser. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the application is checking, you may see count of objects it has identified as threat.
5. After the system scan is complete, it will open a scan report. All found items will be marked. You can remove them all by simply click “Next”. Once finished, you can be prompted to reboot your PC.

How to remove Windows Defender Alert with Malwarebytes

We recommend using the Malwarebytes Free which are completely clean your PC system of the adware. The free tool is an advanced malicious software removal program developed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti malware technology. It is able to help you remove annoying Windows Defender Alert fake pop up from your browsers, potentially unwanted software, malware, browser hijacker infections, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your personal computer for free.

1. Download Malwarebytes (MBAM) by clicking on the link below.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware
   326385 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: April 15, 2020
   
2. After the downloading process is complete, close all software and windows on your computer. Open a folder in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named mb3-setup.
3. Further, click Next button and follow the prompts.
4. Once install is finished, press the “Scan Now” button for scanning your computer for the adware which causes misleading Windows Defender Alert pop up scam on your web-browser. This process can take some time, so please be patient. While the tool is scanning, you can see how many objects and files has already scanned.
5. As the scanning ends, a list of all threats detected is produced. All found threats will be marked. You can remove them all by simply click “Quarantine Selected”. When finished, you can be prompted to restart your machine.

The following video offers a guide on how to remove browser hijackers, ad supported software and other malware with Malwarebytes.

Run AdwCleaner to get rid of Windows Defender Alert fake popup error from web browser

If MalwareBytes antimalware or Zemana antimalware cannot delete this adware, then we suggests to run the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal tool for browser hijackers, PUPs, toolbars and ad-supported software that causes misleading Windows Defender Alert pop-up scam on your web browser.

Download AdwCleaner from the link below.

Once the download is finished, open the directory in which you saved it. You will see an icon like below.

Double click the AdwCleaner desktop icon. Once the utility is opened, you will see a screen like below.

Further, click “Scan” button It will scan through the whole computer for the adware that designed to show misleading Windows Defender Alert fake popup within your browser. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the count of files on your computer and the speed of your PC system. After the system scan is done, it will open a screen which contains a list of malicious software that has been detected as shown on the screen below.

Make sure all items have ‘checkmark’ and click “Clean” button. It will open a prompt like below.

You need to click “OK”. Once the cleaning procedure is done, the AdwCleaner may ask you to reboot your PC system. When your computer is started, you will see an AdwCleaner log.

These steps are shown in detail in the following video guide.

Use AdBlocker to block Windows Defender Alert and stay safe online

We recommend to install an ad-blocking program which can block Windows Defender Alert and other unwanted web sites. The ad-blocking tool like AdGuard is a program which basically removes advertising from the Internet and blocks access to malicious web-pages. Moreover, security experts says that using ad-blocking applications is necessary to stay safe when surfing the World Wide Web.

Installing the AdGuard ad-blocker application is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard by clicking on the following link.

Once the download is finished, double-click the downloaded file to run it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen as on the image below.

Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed and an icon will be placed on your desktop. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guidance as shown on the screen below.

Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick guide which will help you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you launch your machine, AdGuard will start automatically and block pop-ups, web sites such Windows Defender Alert, as well as other harmful or misleading web sites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, which can be found on your desktop.

How to Windows Defender Alert pop-up get installed onto machine

The ad supported software come bundled with some free software. So always read carefully the setup screens, disclaimers, ‘Terms of Use’ and ‘Software license’ appearing during the install procedure. Additionally pay attention for optional applications which are being installed along with the main program. Ensure that you unchecked all of them! Also, run an ad-blocking program that will allow to stop malicious, misleading, illegitimate or untrustworthy web-pages.

To sum up

After completing the step by step guidance outlined above, your computer should be clean from malicious software and adware that displays misleading Windows Defender Alert pop up on your system. The Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Edge will no longer redirect you to various undesired web pages. Unfortunately, if the tutorial does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.