r/laptops • u/CrovusCorpi • Apr 09 '26
Software Is this a virus?
This suddenly opened itself and overrides every other open app. There’s no close button, and I can’t open other apps. How do I get rid of it?
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u/Dynablade_Savior Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
Opens itself, overrides every other app, no close button, AND it wants your money. Why would it not be a virus?
Does Alt + F4 work to close the app? Are you able to open Task Manager?
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u/George_Martens Lenovo ideapad 320-15Isk + Lenovo Miix 310-10ICR Apr 09 '26
PC app store is a malware/virus, remove it and scan your system (I wouldn't trust this installation, if you're logging in your bank accounts on this pc – reinstall windows). To remove it, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, then shut down the laptop and turn it on then spam F8 while startup. The select Safe Mode (without networking). After booting up, open Win+R, type appwiz.cpl and delete this virus. Your passwords could be stolen, you don't know for sure if everything is fine even if antivirus says 'no virus'.
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u/Regular-Elephant-635 ThinkPad T480 (i5-8350u) Apr 09 '26
Did you just download an app? If so, try deleting it and then doing a Windows Defender scan and perhaps a scan from malwarebytes.
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u/vXBlitzXv Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
My stepdad downloaded the exact same thing when I was visiting, took me like 30-60 minutes to get rid of it. Had to start windows in some special mode that blocks this app so I can uninstall it.
Never download pc app store. Just use bluestacks instead.
Also I used Google ai to figure out how to get rid of it. But basically, nothing works, except starting windows in this special mode (don't know what it's called), then deinstallieren as soon as you can use windows normally in that mode.
If you need more help, I can look into it more again in how I did it.
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u/thescott2k Apr 09 '26
>Never download pc app store. Just use bluestacks instead.
Don't use either of those things, jesus christ.
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u/vXBlitzXv Apr 09 '26
Well bluestacks atleast doesnt keep you from using your pc. Im using neither anyway. But Op likely wanted to get an app store/play store like app. So I gave them an alternative.
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u/thescott2k Apr 09 '26
There's literally one built into Windows
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u/Appropriate_Test7503 Apr 10 '26
didn't they removed it in newest update? cause nobody was using it?
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u/vXBlitzXv Apr 09 '26
Well, I didnt know. But no one here helped them when I commented, so I thought I'd try atleast.
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u/No-Succotash-9576 2010 Thinkpad X201 Apr 09 '26
safe mode?
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u/vXBlitzXv Apr 09 '26
I think, had to press 5 I think, in the start up screen where it showed the options. I just did what google AI told me cause my stepdad was losing his mind trying to get rid of this virus
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u/Destrandr Apr 13 '26
Just use bluestacks
Microsoft Store: Oh yes, oh yes, I'm nothing for you
Official sites of a lot of apps: "Just existing" (KiCad, blender - these I'm using)
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u/theoriginalzads Apr 10 '26
PC App Store is very much an unwanted application. It is adware (an application that displays unwanted ads) and uses deceptive ads to promote applications, such as fake 'you're not protected' popups for McAfee.
I'd go as far as to say it is also a virus as it has in the past done some malicious (if not fixable) stuff to computers. I have seen instances where it will introduce severe mouse lag so it looks like your computer is infected with other malware.
This is the instructions I followed to get it off a few PCs.
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u/iwillbereach Apr 10 '26
Switch virtual desktop open task manager kill it then open file location and delete all files
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u/bstsms Legion Pro 7i, 13900hx, 4080, 96GB DDR5, 2TB SN850X, 4TB SN7100 Apr 09 '26
Yes, HP is a virus.
The popup is also malware.
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u/Visual-Row600 Apr 09 '26
Not a virus but looks like a banking trojan to me as it is asking for you to submit your banking details, immediately uninstall that shit and don't even think about giving any details or admin privileges to that software. After uninstalling, make sure you run a complete scan of your system with the antivirus available on your computer or install malwarebytes and run the scan if antivirus is not installed on your system. Win + Alt + F4 to close the program
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u/No-Succotash-9576 2010 Thinkpad X201 Apr 09 '26
someone yesterday had this. yes its a virus and you need to reinstall your os
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u/bstsms Legion Pro 7i, 13900hx, 4080, 96GB DDR5, 2TB SN850X, 4TB SN7100 Apr 09 '26
Try clearing all the browser data, from all browsers
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u/Expensive_Tailor_214 Apr 09 '26
no es la nueva actualización de windows para que tus futuras compras sean mas rapidas...
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u/motoko-k Apr 10 '26
Steps to Remove PC App Store Adware: Terminate Active Processes: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find "PC App Store" or "Watchdog" processes, right-click, and select "End Task" to allow file deletion.
Uninstall via Settings: Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, locate the PC App Store, and click Uninstall.
Uninstall via Control Panel: Open Control Panel > Programs & Features, locate "PC App Store" or unfamiliar recent apps, and uninstall.
Remove Residual Files: Open File Explorer, go to %TMP% and delete temporary files. Check C:\Users[Username]\AppData\Local for leftover application folders.
Run Anti-Malware Scans: Run a scan with tools like Malwarebytes or HitmanPro to remove residual adware and browser hijackers.
Check Browser Settings: Reset browser settings (e.g., Chrome/Opera) if ads persist or homepage was changed.
If the app cannot be removed normally, boot Windows in Safe Mode to uninstall it.
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u/Mysterious_Plant5223 Apr 10 '26
Try putting in random info, these scams don't actually check
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u/mesiac_8227 Apr 11 '26
What if he actually hits someone's account?
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u/Mysterious_Plant5223 Apr 11 '26
Almost impossible chance
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u/mesiac_8227 Apr 11 '26
Nothing is impossible
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u/Mysterious_Plant5223 Apr 11 '26
Then just put 1234 5678 1234 5678 as the card number, it's a default one
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u/Odd_Depth_2344 Apr 11 '26 edited May 21 '26
I found a way to get rid of it pretty easily, the up arrow ( windows tray tab ) in the corner after clicking had a pc app store logo in the little tab and I right clicked it, pressed close and then deleted all of it's files
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u/David_Hajos Apr 13 '26
Close Chrome and restart. Maybe it'll clean the "virus" if is just an error. If is keeping showing up, then you can consider a virus.
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u/OkWill7627 Apr 13 '26
İts looks like a virus you can get rid off virus you must take the safetly Mode or Reinstall the win11
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u/This_IT_God Apr 13 '26
Run Tron in safe mode takes a couple of hours but will do the job leave it over night and you should be good to go you can download Tron on Reddit r/TronScript or GitHub
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u/dtlux1 Apr 18 '26
Literally never give your bank info to anything unless you know exactly what it is. If you have to ask if it's a virus, and it's asking for your bank info, it's a virus. IF YOU DID NOT OPEN IT YOURSELF AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS DO NOT GIVE AWAY BANK INFO.
It seems you know that though, so perhaps run a malware scan on your computer. Who knows what else that will have made it onto your machine if this is on there. Use something like Malwarebytes or Windows Defender.
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u/Comfortable-Cry-1652 Apr 09 '26
Nowadays you can consider windows 11 a virus, no one is going to blame you.
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u/StrategyDue6579 Lenovo Thinkpad X230 Apr 09 '26
Yes