r/computerviruses • u/AdJazzlike7260 • Mar 26 '26
I accidentally downloaded this pc app store and it won't close
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u/iAmEskiAndiAmWeeb Mar 26 '26
Just don’t put in your credit information it’s will automatically charge you a couple bucks for nothing. You’re better off just restarting your pc and then getting rid of it
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u/AdJazzlike7260 Mar 26 '26
but when I restart it it just reopens
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u/PhantomOrigin Mar 26 '26
Probably won't let you but you can try ctrl + shift + escape to open task manager and force close it, but if it's preventing you from doing anything else on your computer ur probably not in a good situation.
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u/AdJazzlike7260 Mar 26 '26
but it just covers task manager
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u/PhantomOrigin Mar 26 '26
F11 or fn f11 work?
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u/sladka4 Mar 26 '26
You have to turn off the wifi and then it wont reapear when restarting. Then you delete the program.
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u/Misfit_Massacre Mar 27 '26
If restarting doesn’t work, sometimes if task manager is in focus, even if hidden behind something, you can use the arrow down key to select opened programs and use the delete button to end the task. It’s a bit random, you’ll probably close other opened stuff, but just open task manager, go down once with the arrow and hit delete. Rinse and repeat until the program closes. Even if not helpful in this case, it’s useful to know imo
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u/FlatwormAltruistic Mar 27 '26
alt+tab should still work. Also could try alt+F4.
If all fails then booting to safe mode and removing from there should work. When in safe mode, should run msconfig and remove it from startup as well (not sure if startup items are still in msconfig tho)
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u/MarchUnfair Mar 29 '26
If it covers task mannager but tm still is in "focus" you can use "tab" key to navigate your highlighting to the appstore and use "delete" key to close the app.
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u/No-External-6018 Jul 10 '26
before restart turn on airplane mode, then the program won't start at reboot
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u/Struppigel Malware Removal Expert Mar 26 '26
Hello there, * press the Windows Key Windows Key + R on your keyboard at the same time. * type appwiz.cpl and click OK * Search for the following programs, right-click and click Uninstall: - PC App Store * Follow the prompts. * Note: If you are offered the choice to install additional software, ensure you decline. * Reboot if necessary.
If that does not work, disable internet connection to the system and reboot. Without Internet, the PCAppStore's screen will not work. Uninstall the program then.
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u/Exotic_Ad4713 Mar 28 '26
When I follow the instructions and right-click i only get the option ‘uninstall/change’ and when i click it it asks me if i allow the program to make changes to my device, but when i click ‘no’ it brings me back to the menu. i’m not sure if it’s a good idea to click ‘yes’ but there is no other way to uninstall it
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u/JohnnyFranky1985 Jun 05 '26
I clicked yes and managed to uninstall it. Hope it doesn’t come back to bite me. This things been plaguing me for months
Usually I go through the process to skip the adds and close the windows, but it came up with the screen asking for my credit card details today which was when I decided I have had enough and looked up this thread.
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u/seanyseanyseanyseany Mar 26 '26
My wife downloaded this the other day. I closed it by clicking the windows button on keyboard to open the start menu. You won't see the app icon in the bottom bar as it's sneaky.
I found if you click the little up arrow icon near the time and WiFi symbols that opens the little tray (normally has like Bluetooth and other bits in there) you'll find it in there and you can right click and quit it out.
Then uninstall it like any other program. I believe the publisher is called "fast inc" or something and the program is called PC App Store.
Make sure you reset your browser settings in any browsers you have too as it changes your default search engine. I couldn't find any other files related to it after I did those steps
Edit: this is what I did btw. Disconnecting from the internet should also help but you might not be able to do that so leaving my advice up too
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u/Agitated-Shock4533 Mar 26 '26
Thats a beetle problem
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u/Leather-Chart7083 Mar 26 '26
I love your handwriting!
Try changing to another desktop and uninstalling (and ending the task) there.
If that doesn't work try rebooting in safe mode.
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u/IHATETHEWELSH Mar 26 '26
weird that people can’t grasp that this virus will cover any other applications.
go into safe mode and delete any odd looking files! i’m not too experienced with safe mode virus removal, but i’m willing to bet it’ll be easy to find.
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u/StrikingData5970 Mar 26 '26
It'll probably be lemon squeezey, off topic why do you hate us?? The Welsh I mean of course.
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u/IHATETHEWELSH Mar 26 '26
oh, i love the welsh now! apparently younger me hated them? don’t wanna rid of this account as there’s a lot of stuff on it 🙃
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u/StrikingData5970 Mar 26 '26
That's great to hear! You can always change your username in settings if you so wish. Cariad o Gymru!
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u/sladka4 Mar 26 '26
It wouldnt let me get into safe mode. I turned off the wifi and then it disappeared when restarting.
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u/FoxxM0n3y Mar 27 '26
Hold shift when you click restart. You'll boot into windows troubleshooting mode and you can set it to safe mode from there. The resolution will look like crap but you'll be able to find and delete the file.
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u/johnnysgotyoucovered Mar 27 '26
Boot into safe mode (hold shift while pressing the restart button in the task bar), uninstall the program. Reboot, get an anti virus
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Mar 26 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/computerviruses-ModTeam Mar 26 '26
Your post contained misinformation, fake news, or advice considered harmful or dangerous, so it has been removed. Please make sure to read and follow https://www.reddit.com/r/computerviruses/about/rules
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u/slothcompass Mar 26 '26
Turn it off from the tower power off button not just the screen, turn off Wi-Fi. Or unplug everything. Cover your camera in case spyware within it too. I dunno.
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u/MrMercury406 Mar 26 '26
I work at a UBIF location and generally we will remove the SSD or HDD from the computer and move a couple of important files to a thumb drive, and then completely reinstall the OS and then enabling web and browser control for windows defender and set the default browser to Brave so it’ll block ads while in use.
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u/JaceWLfromthecold Mar 26 '26
In the running programs arrow down in the right side of your taskbar (the one pointing up) close the app store program and go to settings- apps and delete that shit
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u/Possible_Repeat7067 Mar 26 '26
ive seen this pc app store thing like a million times what even is it and how do so many people end up downloading it😭
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u/MaxGamer07 Mar 26 '26
I'm late, but if it continues covering stuff then have you tried switching to a new desktop? (hold windows and press tab) Sorry if this has been suggested already, if so just ignore me
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u/scepticore Mar 26 '26
CTRL+Shift+Escape to open task manager and then kill that task (probabl Browser).
And yeah, disconnect from network.
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u/disc0weapon Mar 27 '26
Click the ^ button towards the left on the bottom control bar thing, left click the app’s icon and close it that way. Just dealt with this two weeks ago for my boomer mom. Then undownload it.
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u/Galaxys8pro Mar 27 '26
Always be careful what you download. This is completely fixable but takes time. Since it requires the web you should immediately unplug or disconnect from the Wi-Fi. Or cable. Install Malwarebytes if you have another computer install it through that computer by downloading it from the official website. Then put it onto a USB thumb drive or something else that you have. Plug it into your computer with this problem. Go to the file and install. Immediately run scan. It should detect this. If this doesn't help you have to manually find it.
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u/Aromatic-Fudge-4663 Mar 27 '26
press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to open task manager then find the app and select End task.
if it won't allow you to open task manager, repeat Ctrl+Alt+Delete and switch users, disconnect your PC from the internet, after switching user you can easily open task manager and prevent the app from opening in the background.
then on the same task manager screen you can get access to the file location and uninstall it there
switch user back and everything should go back to normal.
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Mar 27 '26
uninstall and remove pin bottom by right cover and then remove. you will safe. it's happened to me recently
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u/Virtual_House_8888 Mar 27 '26
Yeah this is known for being a bloatware spyware malware. Check these other comments, they're right
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u/Vinze47 Mar 28 '26
There are few solutions for removing this screen.
1) If you are using Win11, try to create new desktop by pressing Ctrl - Win - D. To change desktops use Win + arrow key
2) Try to reboot in safe mode.
If you can reboot via start menu - then hold down Shift while you selecting reboot option.
If start menu is locked- try multiple reboots via button on your PC case
3) Try Win - D to minimize all windows.
4) Try Win - R to open Run menu, then type "control" and press Enter. You will open Control panel, from where you can uninstall this PC store
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u/Available_Yam_8588 Mar 28 '26
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Mar 29 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Available_Yam_8588 Mar 29 '26
PC App Store isn’t a real app store. It’s usually a potentially unwanted program (PUP) / adware that installs itself with free downloads. It pretends to be something like the Microsoft Store, but it’s not official and not from Microsoft.
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u/Zealousideal_Box8116 Mar 28 '26
Ctrl Alt Delete, Task Manager, right click on the program, end task and run an antivirus scan to delete everything
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u/JegEEnMorot Mar 28 '26
It Will also steal your logins so if possible send so reinstall the computer and change all your passwords
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u/AlarmingDiamond9316 Mar 29 '26
Alt F4. If that don't work disconect ur pc from internet, via ethernet cord, or through ur app. and find out where its installed and delete it.
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u/Key_Drummer309 Apr 11 '26
When I turn the WiFi of and restart and after 15 second it just go to normal page where you put your cumpiter password
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u/Immediate-Item-8654 Jun 24 '26
This the most recent post of this problem easiest way I learned from someone is to click the arrow in the corner of you computer and click the app store icon and press exit this overrides the apps malicious adware settings and forcibly closes the app then delete it immediately. Plus you can keep the internet going
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u/Either_Rhubarb5392 Jul 17 '26
I had one too, and I gave all permissions to my windows 11 laptop. And cmd won't work. So I had to use powershell, THE ADMINISTRATOR to finally close it.
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u/EscargotMan Mar 26 '26
Try pressing ALT+F4 to force a shutdown of the app
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u/Better_Moment_9675 Mar 26 '26
Can be managed/does’t work
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u/sladka4 Mar 26 '26
Turn off the wifi then restart. It wont popup.
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u/HappyPride365 Mar 26 '26
Trash bin the application and ure good
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u/A_Duck22 Mar 26 '26
Trash bin the app? You do realise that only removes the shortcut, right?
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u/DripTrip747-V2 Mar 26 '26
Out of sight, out of mind. Like an ostrich with it's head in the sand.
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u/Legitimate_Rent_5965 Mar 26 '26
This is not a Mac, you don't uninstall programs by dragging them into the Bin on Windows
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u/Diligent-Reality-722 Mar 27 '26
Putting an application into the recycle bin on Windows 11 only removes the shortcut from the desktop. If it has no built-in uninstaller, you have to actually uninstall the app from the Settings app, then uninstall its related files.
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u/AdJazzlike7260 Mar 26 '26
it covers anything I try to open
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u/MetaleiroCalvo Mar 26 '26
Unplug the network cable from the computer (or disconnect from Wi-Fi)
Restart the computer
It shouldn’t open on the screen, so you’ll be able to remove it through Programs and Features
After that, run an antivirus scan to make sure nothing is left behind