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msedge.exe.exe firewall request from Windows Defender still not resolved: action needed from Microsoft

Anonymous
2023-06-11T10:28:24+00:00

Title says it all. Long running problem reported by many users that Windows Defender asks for permission to allow the very suspicious sounding "msedge.exe.exe" access through the firewall (after every relaunch of the app). Some people report similar double .exe.exe extensions for other browsers. In short, despite extensive scanning, no one seems to have found overt malware, nor any explicit substitute "msedge.exe".exe application. Some people have deleted in safe mode and reinstalled a fresh Edge. But the problem recurs. For me, on both home and work computers. Best guess (including by my IT department at a large institution) is that it is a Microsoft bug, not actual malware. However, it has persisted for at least two years, but remains even after my latest Win 10 update (work is up to date Win 11, so it does not seem to be system specific).

Please can someone from Microsoft comment / confirm that it is not malware - and actually address the problem.

Note that Microsoft Community has unhelpfully locked all the threads reporting the same issue, so that there is no coherent account, although plenty of "I have the same issue reports". Some examples are the following:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftedge/forum/all/windows-defender-blocking-ms-edge/0b7fa065-6948-40cc-9075-fca49d7e86f3

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftedge/forum/all/msedgeexeexe/1f36f6c9-2617-4d51-bdc7-0367590efadf

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftedge/forum/all/windows-defender-still-blocking-ms-edge/4fd36a3e-6602-433a-8349-e098e327ec31

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftedge/forum/all/how-to-resolve-msedgeexeexe/d79265a1-cd10-4ab4-b55a-d2facc55cd98

Microsoft Edge | Other | Windows 10

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-11-11T17:27:03+00:00

    The strange thing is that the file mentioned in the Windows Defender Firewall request does not exist on the system.

    I cancel the request each time, rather than click OK on the "Allow" (there is no "disallow" option available from Windows Defender).

    I've had this happen for both Chrome and Edge.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-07-20T12:36:28+00:00

    22H2 makes no difference - the problem remains

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  3. Virginia M 40,995 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-06-12T10:14:58+00:00

    Thank you. The latest build is 22H2 so I would upgrade to this to see if the problem is fixed.

    If the file is in the correct folder for Edge then it should be ok. If it is anywhere else then it is suspicious.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-06-12T08:04:52+00:00

    Thanks for the useful suggestions - I will try some of the other scans when I have time (though think I did use malawarebytes options way back) - and will report back here if I find anything.

    Agreed, it looks like Malware (hence my post), but I can't find anyone evidencing that it is. Only (obviously) that it might be / looks suspicious. I tried the strategies in your other answer (https://appuals.com/msedge-exe-exe-error-in-windows/) - and didn't find anything suspicious. Just the "old file" reminder that I had in fact tried the "rename in safe mode" and reinstall strategy, without any improvement.

    Win 10 is 21H2, sorry can't check the others just now.

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  5. Virginia M 40,995 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-06-11T14:10:43+00:00

    Hello, I’m Virginia, a fellow user like yourself.

    Sorry to hear you’re experiencing problems. May I ask which Windows 10/11 build are you running - 21H2 or 22H2?

    As we’re fellow users here Microsoft will not see your complaint/request for confirmation of a bug so you can send them feedback via windows key + F key & let them know. If it is a bug then they should check it out.

    To be on the safe side I would try running these programs:

    MBAM free: https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/ ensure scan for rootkits is enabled.

    Eset online scanner: http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner/

    Adwcleaner: https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/

    Also check the router to see if there are any unknown connections:

    https://www.f-secure.com/gb-en/home/free-tools/...

    If these find one or more infections but do not fully remove them it will be wise to register with a malware removal site to receive dedicated malware removal instructions, an expert will remain with you throughout the process until confirmation that your PC is 100% clean.

    Malwarebytes virus/malware removal forum:

    https://forums.malwarebytes.com/forum/7-windows...

    Bleeping computer malware/virus removal forum:

    https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22...

    Disclaimer - This post contains reference to non-Microsoft websites and there may be ads on the page for products & services including products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Product). Please thoroughly research any product / service advertised on the page before you decide to use them. Your discretion is very much advised.

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