How to Delete Harmful Files
Every program is made of individual files, whether or not it’s a regular application or a parasite. Spyware programs use harmful files to install themselves and secretly collect personal information about you. Many spyware programs use your Internet connection to access your PC and hijack your browser, monitor your Web surfing habits, change your settings, and annoy you with pop-up ads.
You can delete spyware files two ways: manually, or with an anti-spyware program. To remove harmful files manually you must be familiar with computer technology. When you manually remove any computer file, there’s a risk that the smallest mistake may destroy your PC, so choosing to use an anti-spyware program is by far the safest and quickest way you can delete harmful files. An anti-spyware program scans your computer, displays the suspected files, and allows you to decide what should be removed.
Learn how to remove unwanted harmful files and folders from your computer, even when they’re hidden.
Delete Harmful Files Manually
Warning: Manually deleting malicious files is a difficult and risky. If you delete the wrong file, your computer may crash and important data may be lost. As a precautionary measure, please back up important files and set a System Restore point (click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore, and follow the on-screen instructions) or run a spyware check with a trusted anti-spyware program to automatically detect spyware.
Locate the harmful file
If you know the name of the parasite you want to remove or at least part of it, you should use Windows search tool to the exact file path of the parasite. To launch the Windows search tool, click the “Start” > “Search” > “All Files or Folders”. Type the file name or its part to the field and locate where you want to search for it. Click on the drive, folder, or disk you wish to perform a search. It is recommended that you select “Look in: Local Hard Drives” or “Look in: My Computer” to get better results. Click on the “Search” button to start the search.
Make hidden files visible
If you don’t know the exact spelling of a filename, but you have an idea where it can be located, you should try to find the file manually. Parasites tend to hide themselves so you will need to enable the functions that lets to display hidden and system protected files.
- First, you should start Windows Explorer. If the version of OS that you use is Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, click on the “Tools” menu and select “Internet Options”. In the “Advanced Settings” list find the title “Show hidden files and folders” and select it. It is recommended to remove a checkmark next to the line “Hide protected operating system files”, in order not to affect the files from your OS.
- There are cases that some files may still remain invisible. To see them, load the “Command Prompt”, press the “Start” button on your taskbar and select “Run”. In the emerged dialog, type in “cmd” and press enter or click “OK” button.
- In the emerged window type “dir /A name_of_the_folder” in order to display all the files, including those that are hidden.
Delete the harmful file
You can delete the harmful file by using Windows Explorer or any other similar program that locates files and folders in your machine. You should also note that the Recycle Bin should be emptied before starting the removal procedure. The message may appear that the file is in use and is impossible to be removed. In this case, you should terminate the process which is associated with the file and then delete it.
In order to delete it, you should open the Windows Task Manager by pressing “CTRL + ALT + DEL” or “CTRL + SHIFT + ESCAPE”. Look at the Processes tab and select the process that corresponds with the file and click on the “End Process” button.
It is possible that some processes will start just after you terminate them. To avoid that, you will need to reboot your machine into the Windows Safe Mode. When this mode is launched, the programs do not start automatically on startup, so it means that many system services can be easily terminated and harmful files can be removed.
The harmful file can also be located and removed by using the “Command Prompt”. To find the location of the harmful file, type “cd name_of_the_folder” and invoke the command by typing “del name_of_the_file”.
If you want to delete entire folder, use the command “rmdir /S name_of_the_folder”.
If you feel that the listed removal procedures are too complicated and you still want to remove the harmful file, we recommend to download SpyHunter’s spyware scanner.
January 2nd, 2008 at 2:10 am
Hello!
The instruction is clear but when I followed it to delete TkBellEXe somewhere
in C:\Program Files\Common Files\ Real\Update_OB … , I was not able to
do it.
It is a Real Player spyware trying to install itself in my computer and being
blocked by SpyBoat.
I hate to be forced to use Real Player because of some audio I downloaded
and could not play with alternatives!
Is there any other way to take TkBellExe out?
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:43 am
Jopi,
TkBellEXe is a process which belongs to Real Player. It may be that your anti-spyware program is not 100% reliable. If you want to be sure, you can try other free anti-spyware programs or scanners to make sure, that your computer isn’t infected with spyware.
January 19th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
i cannot delete a .dll file, the computer says that access is denied and i cannot find anything in the task manager to stop it from running. i use avg antivirus and everytime i click “heal” my comp restarts and the virus is still there. apperently i have trojan hores generic9.AKBO i need to know how to kill it! thanks
January 28th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Josh,
First of all I suggest you to scan your computer with our free SpyHunter scanner. The scanner won’t remove, but will find the infected files and show their locations. Afterwards, boot your computer in Safe Mode and remove the files manually. Safe Mode should help you to remove .dll file too. Also, spyware is not the same like viruses. In addition to your antivirus software, I advice you to get a reliable antispyware program too, because not all antivirus programs catches spyware, malware and other parasites.
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:36 am
i failed to delete smss coz of this other various called odinga
May 13th, 2008 at 5:52 am
very detailed with pixs. thanks a lot
July 14th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I am trying to delete “wininet.dll” and “shlwapi.dll” from the System32 folder (as they are part of Vista Antivirus 2008 worm/trojan/{four-letter-obscene word!}) and I get “Access denied” returned. I have checked the process list and there are no processes associated with these files running; Also the PC is running in Safe Mode. I have also attempted to unregister the DLL’s and recieved the message “shlwapi.dll was loaded, but the DllUnregisterServer entry point was not found. This file can not be registered”.
Confused….
July 18th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
got vista antivirus 2008 I hope the instruction you published will help.
July 27th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I am experiencing the same problems as Nelboy. I’ve tried unregistering the DLL’s, but my only response was that “shlwapi.dll was loaded, but the DllUnregisterServer entry point was not found.”
Any help would be much appreciated.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Hi, I understand the instructions, however, Advanced Antivirus is located in the Control Panel and it says “invalid parameters” when I try to enter that into the cmd. Thanks for your help!
August 14th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I am experiencing the same problems as Nelboy. I’ve tried unregistering the DLL’s, but my only response was that “shlwapi.dll was loaded, but the DllUnregisterServer entry point was not found.”
Any help would be much appreciated.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I am trying to delete “wininet.dll” and “shlwapi.dll” from the System32 folder (as they are part of Vista Antivirus 2008 worm/trojan/{four-letter-obscene word!}) and I get “Access denied” returned. I have checked the process list and there are no processes associated with these files running; Also the PC is running in Safe Mode. I have also attempted to unregister the DLL’s and recieved the message “shlwapi.dll was loaded, but the DllUnregisterServer entry point was not found. This file can not be registered”.
Confused….
September 5th, 2008 at 1:39 am
this total secure 2009 anti spy ware is some bu****it. I’m not the most computer savvey person but it’s giving me the flux. I’ve deleted it in the task manager and registry but it keeps coming back. and to make things worse, every time i try get on line or even attempt to go to a site to “remove” it manually it kicks me off. Even to the point where I can’t get into my control panel or to search my computer’s c drive. If i find the a** *ole who created this bogus site I’ll kick his a** for all of us. In the mean time what can i do?
September 6th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
m not able to remove my virus named autorun.inf..through this process..at the end after i hav typed in rmdir/s name f the file..it says like the process cannot access the file because it is being used by anotheer process..
help me plz..!!!
September 20th, 2008 at 10:02 am
i am not able to understand what is anti spam word
October 18th, 2008 at 9:53 am
my anti-virus can’t remove virus from my computer named Trojan-GameThief.Win32.MultiFirst.h, it’s located in C:\WINDOWS\System32\system.exe can anyone help?
October 31st, 2008 at 3:20 am
I downloaded the “Internet Antivirus Pro” and it turned out that it was a spyware or a virus. I followed the directions above and still it can’t be deleted.. I tried the Command Prompt but it always says that “The system cannot find the file specified”.. Can anyone help me?
November 5th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Thank you! I was having problems with a DLL file getting held up while booting Windows Vista. The information here helped a bunch!
November 30th, 2008 at 2:26 am
how can i delete smss.exe file ! its in the folder system32 i cant delete the folder and the task manager is not allowin to end the process ?????plz suggest
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
try going into your system tools and do a “system restore”…I had m.exe…tried deleting it manually after I couldn’t stop it in task manager….then I got the “blue screen of death” that I hadn’t seen since Win95.
I did a System Restore…went back 3 days…that fixed my problem completely!
December 11th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I wish I understood all that stuff but i’m not a computer whiz > All I want to do is get rid of that annoying Antivirus 360 Please help me? Thanks Bob
December 11th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Please help me remove Antivirus 360. Bob Thanks
December 26th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I’m with Bob Chay (December 11th, 2008 @ 7:13pm), please help me remove Antivirus 360. Out of nowhere it appeared and is claiming that I have a threat. I only installed Free AVG Anti-virus for protection and don’t understand where this came from & am worried it is a virus. I should remove this correct? If so, how? Thank you.
January 3rd, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I’m trying to remove the system security from my computer. I cant find it under my task manager. when I look for it in the cmd it’s says that it has no label but gives me a serial number. I’m confused…please help me
January 26th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Bob Chay did you get rid of Antivirus 360 yet, I have it on mine now and it shows up on webpages at the top of the screen. I used smitfraudfix.com, its free, and it found many trogans and other shit which it removed. MY pc is faster now but that 360 pop up is still there.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
i need help in removing “Spyware Protect 2009″
January 28th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
please help me to remove the spyware and adware on my pc
January 30th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I agree with ALL of the above…somehow the Antivirus 360 has been downloaded to my computer…and I thought I finally got it all off, but when i try to search the net, it blocks certain sites…saying that this site might contain harmful stuff and i should ACTIVATE Antivirus 360 (HELL NO!!)..Please tell me what to do, or where I have gone wrong….
Frustrated!!!!
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I too have the Anti-virus 360 and how do I get rid of it and protect my computer from this happening again.
Thanks
March 25th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Hi. I have a problem about this virus i hope you can help me about this.
6jgup0b.cmd with scripted code of HEUR-DBLEXT
everytime i open my c:/ it execute a open with.. program.
i hope you will help me.. thanks a lot and more power.
March 29th, 2009 at 2:44 am
i have new problem in my own computer, all my word file has changed into exe file then not opened in ms word…
if you have any solution please help me………..
madhu
nepal
April 11th, 2009 at 11:35 am
i cant delete a mswinsck.ocx file cause it says the process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process so how do i delete this
April 12th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Everything I do to remove Spyware Protect 2009 doesn’t work!! Help me please I’m going crazy!!
May 9th, 2009 at 8:19 am
how can i activate system security i dnt have any visa or master card??
May 9th, 2009 at 8:20 am
help me..
May 10th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Tried deleting iehelper.dll from the command prompt (c:\windows\system32>del iehelper.dll) The command prompt then tells me access is denied. What the heck do I do now?
May 12th, 2009 at 2:01 am
Dear Sir,
I found virus in my PC virus name database.exe how to delete it please sent instruction in my above mentioned email-id.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I followed your instructions exactly, but when I try to delete entire folder it said it is being used by another process and will not delete.
June 29th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Dear Friend Sanjeev,
I also have this virus Database.exe in my PC. It is situated in a folder named system32 in C:\Program files. I suspect the folder is created by the virus itself. If you got to know its removal technique, kindly inform me at rkmr121@rediffmail.com
August 14th, 2009 at 8:44 am
total security problems….
cant do anything
cant run any .exe
cant download programs quits in the middle
cant access task manager or cmd promt.
cant restart in safe mode…
cant get into add remove
cant set the computer back a few days
im totally screwed…
i can run searched look through my files..
someone please help me
September 8th, 2009 at 8:11 am
I have XRaila Odinga in my system drive files, how I located it; opened my computer, double clicked hard drive C: opened Windows folder, double clicked system32 then opened drivers and I found there a MS file which prompted me to suspect that it was a virus but un fortunately I have failed to delete it, because the error message I get is that it is being used by another program so kindly help me if you know how I can delete that file from drivers.
thank you.
September 19th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Most of these problems can be fixed if you will use system restore.
If you do not know where that is, click on “start” and then click on “search”.
Type “system restore” in the space or block.
This will show you where “system restore is at”.
Go there and click on it.
Then go back about 1 week and start the restore process. Let the computer reboot and do its thing.
Be patient, as this will take some time.
September 21st, 2009 at 9:03 pm
hi GUYs quick question ever heard of a file .0art ?
i dont have the time to be searching for this file can anyone give me a hand i own a business who ever can help me ill let them try my new softwares for free thank you
pidgin-2.6.2.exe.0art
September 24th, 2009 at 9:01 am
hi guys
i have a virus called win.exe and i cant remove it help
September 24th, 2009 at 9:02 am
hi guys
i have a virus called win.exe i cant remove it can anyone help
September 25th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
please help someone get rid of alpha antivirus off my pc please help
September 25th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
please help remove alpha antivirus
October 14th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Hello:
when I turn off my pc using windows vista I get an error from a conime.exe program
that has not loaded or initialized and while I try to delete that file on the windows-system32
directory i get a message that it cannot be deleted because access is denied.
How do I remove thhat thing?.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
i dont want cyber security again
November 15th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Can anyone help me get rid of security tools? I can’t find the Application.Maybe_RogueAV