Home Spyware Database "WinDefender2008 Removal Guide"

WinDefender2008 Removal Guide

WinDefender2008 Description

WinDefender2008 is a rogue anti-spyware program that may seem like a regular online scanner, when all it does is hijack your browser and redirect you to malicious websites. WinDefender 2008 will also display misleading error messages alleging to detect virus threats to lure you to purchase its full version. WinDefender2008's error messages may read:
"WARNING!!!

Current threats detect by WinDefender 2008 today.
This information is provided based on current threat level and internet user's database. WinDefender is trying to detected and remove all items."

"Computer scan results: 284 items detected
NOTE: Detected objects marked in red are CRITICAL and should be removed from the computer!"

If you click on the fake error messages, you'll be redirected to win-defender.com or to another rogue website where you'll be encouraged to purchase WinDefender2008. WinDefender 2008 sells itself as a software to "DEFEND YOUR COMPUTER!", but truth is, WinDefender2008 is no computer defender. WinDefender2008 may launch on every Windows startup and may be difficult to remove manually.

How can I Detect WinDefender2008?

The most common spyware removal tactic is to uninstall WinDefender2008 by using the "Add/Remove Programs" utility. However, as there may still be hidden WinDefender2008 files, it's possible that WinDefender2008 will reappear after reboot. Follow the WinDefender2008 detection and removal methods below.

WinDefender2008 or WinDefender 2008 Automatic Detection (Recommended)

Is your PC infected with WinDefender2008? To safely & quickly detect WinDefender2008, we highly recommend you...

Download SpyHunter's Malware Scanner.

SpyHunter's free version is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter's malware scanner detects WinDefender2008 on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove WinDefender2008 and other malware threats.

View "How WinDefender2008 Infects Your Computer" Video

Is your PC really infected with WinDefender2008? View "How WinDefender2008 Infects Your Computer" video and learn how WinDefender2008 infects a computer. To fully capture the experience of the video turn your sound ON.

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WinDefender2008 Manual Removal Instructions

Below is a list of WinDefender2008 manual removal instructions and WinDefender2008 components listed to help you remove WinDefender2008 from your PC. Backup Reminder: Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

Note: This manual removal process may be difficult and you run the risk of destroying your computer. We recommend that you use SpyHunter's malware detection tool to check for WinDefender2008.

Step 1 : Use Windows File Search Tool to Find WinDefender2008 Path

1. Go to Start > Search > All Files or Folders.
2. In the "All or part of the the file name" section, type in "WinDefender2008" file name(s).
3. To get better results, select "Look in: Local Hard Drives" or "Look in: My Computer" and then click "Search" button.
4. When Windows finishes your search, hover over the "In Folder" of "WinDefender2008", highlight the file and copy/paste the path into the address bar. Save the file's path on your clipboard because you'll need the file path to delete WinDefender2008 in the following manual removal steps.
5. "WinDefender2008" files can be found in the directory path(s):
6. %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008 %AllUsersProfile%\Start Menu\WinDefender 2008 Unregistered
   Read more about How to Find WinDefender2008 with File Search Tool

Step 2 : Use Windows Task Manager to Remove WinDefender2008 Processes

1. To open the Windows Task Manager, use the combination of CTRL+ALT+DEL or CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.
2. Click on the "Image Name" button to search for "WinDefender2008" process by name.
3. Select the "WinDefender2008" process and click on the "End Process" button to kill it.
4. Remove the "WinDefender2008" processes files:
5. %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\SecCenter.exe SecCenter.exe WDefDemo.exe %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\Uninstall_st_st_.exe %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\Uninstall.exe %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\WDefDemo.exe WinDefender2008Installer.exe
   Read more about How to kill WinDefender2008 Processes

Step 3 : Use Registry Editor to Remove WinDefender2008 Registry Values

1. To open the Registry Editor, go to Start > Run > type regedit and then press the "OK" button.
2. Locate and delete the entry or entries whose data value (in the rightmost column) is the spyware file(s) detected earlier.
3. To delete "WinDefender2008" value, right-click on it and select the "Delete" option.
4. Locate and delete "WinDefender2008" registry entries:
5. WinDefender 2008 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WinDefender2008.com HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WinDefender2008
   Read more about How to Remove WinDefender2008 Registry Entries

Step 4 : Detect and Delete Other WinDefender2008 Files

1. To open the Windows Command Prompt, go to Start > Run > type cmd and then press the "OK" button.
2. Type in "dir /A name_of_the_folder" (for example, C:\Spyware-folder), which will display the folder's content even the hidden files.
3. To change directory, type in "cd name_of_the_folder".
4. Once you have the file you're looking for type in "del name_of_the_file".
5. To delete a file in folder, type in "del name_of_the_file".
6. To delete the entire folder, type in "rmdir /S name_of_the_folder".
7. Select the "WinDefender2008" process and click on the "End Process" button to kill it.
8. Remove the "WinDefender2008" processes files:
9. SecCenter.exe WDefDemo.exe Uninstall WinDefender 2008.lnk Launch WinDefender 2008.lnk WinDefender 2008 %UserProfile%\Desktop\Launch WinDefender 2008.lnk %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp\delwdef2008.bat %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp\[Random Name].tmp %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\rules %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\reserve.dat %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\Rules.txt %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\FwHookDrv.sys %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\temp %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\options.xml %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\Manual.url %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\HOSTS.hst %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\svo.scf %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\Support.url %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\siren.wav %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\data.dat %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\Uninstall_st_st_.exe %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\Uninstall.exe %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\vfile %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\Web.url %ProgramFiles%\WinDefender 2008\WDefDemo.exe WinDefender2008Installer.exe %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\SecCenter.exe
   Read more about How to Delete Harmful Files

WinDefender2008 Recommendation

RECOMMENDED: To avoid the unnecessary risk of damaging your computer, we highly recommend you use a good malware remover to track WinDefender2008 and automatically remove WinDefender2008 as well as other spyware, adware, trojans, and virus threats in your PC.

If you believe you have WinDefender2008 installed on your computer, check for WinDefender2008 with SpyHunter's Malware Scanner.

SpyHunter's free version is only for malware detection. To remove WinDefender2008 and other malware threats, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool. Since new WinDefender2008 files are constantly being released, it is normally advised to run SpyHunter's scanner weekly to get the latest updates on WinDefender2008 and other malware threats.

To learn more on WinDefender2008, see our WinDefender2008 resource section below.

WinDefender2008 Technical Details

The following WinDefender2008 components and their MD5s:

More WinDefender2008 Resources

What is Rogue AntiSpyware Programs?

WinDefender2008 is a type of Rogue AntiSpyware Programs.

Rogue anti-spyware programs are fake applications that are cleverly disguised to behave like legitimate spyware removal programs. Rogue anti-spyware programs are usually created by hackers with the sole purpose of rendering a sale for the rogue application. Many rogue anti-spyware programs use deceiving tactics to entice computer users to purchase the rogue anti-spyware program. In many cases computer users do not realize that they have downloaded or installed a fake anti-spyware program until after the sale has taken place. Rogue Anti-Spyware Programs are bogus applications that usually require an extra effort to completely uninstall or remove from your system. Computer infections such as Trojans are known to install rogue anti-spyware programs which do not remove parasites or justify the abnormally high cost of the full version.

Think you have WinDefender2008? Run SpyHunter's malware scan and automatically detect WinDefender2008 on your PC.

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WinDefender2008 Prevention Rules

Protect your computer from WinDefender2008 and other spyware by following these four easy prevention rules.

Rule #1: Keep your Windows Security up-to-date

Microsoft provides updates weekly and can always be downloaded manually from the Microsoft website.
Tip: Regularly visit Windows Update and set your computer to receive security & critical updates automatically.

To get Microsoft Update, go to IE > Tools > Windows Update > Product Updates, and select "ALL High-Priority Security Updates" from the list.

Then open IE and go to Internet Options > Security > Internet, then press "Default Level", then OK. Now press "Custom Level."

Rule #2: Download and install a reliable anti-spyware software

A good anti-spyware software that recognizes current WinDefender2008 spyware as well as other forms of spyware can can be the answer to all your security issues. Listed below is an anti-spyware program that can effectively reverse the damage of your computer and detect WinDefender2008 automatically.

Download SpyHunter's Malware Scanner

SpyHunter's free version is only for malware detection. To remove WinDefender2008 and other malware threats, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool.

Rule #3: Install and keep your firewall turned on

A firewall is essential for a complete protection of your PC. Make sure that your firewall is always turned on. A firewall can prevent unwanted software like WinDefender2008 from infecting your computer.

Rule #4: Keep your anti-spyware definitions up-to-date

Since new WinDefender2008 files can be created every day, it is important to keep your anti-spyware program up-to-date. Your anti-spyware scanner should have an update feature where with a click of a button you can get new spyware definitions instantly. Often, an anti-spyware software will open an update window reminding you that there are new updates available.

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WinDefender2008 Screenshots

View WinDefender2008 screenshots below and see for yourself how WinDefender2008 looks like. Learn how to recognize WinDefender2008 when it infects your machine.

(click on WinDefender2008 image to enlarge)

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