How do I prevent Microsoft from installing Compattelrunner.exe malware on my comptuer?

Question

This is the fourth time I have found this malware running on my computer after removing three previous updates responsible for it.

I have accordingly written all Windows products lousy recommendations in every possible venue (e.g. Amazon.com) and filed a complaint with the FTC. The bottom line is, in fact, that it is illegal to install unwanted software on somebody's computer, and Microsoft is ignoring the permission settings for automatic updates. Please tell me if I need to act on this, or if the problem is going to stop.

Here is the review I just posted for you on Amazon.

Based on my experience with Windows 7.

Installs malware (compattelrunner.exe, an executable that can take over more than 70% of your CPU) while disregarding your update settings ("download updates, but ask me which to install"). Reinstalls this malware after you remove it; this review was prompted by finding it on my computer for the fourth time after I removed it three previous times.

http://searchmidmarketsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/malware

"Malware (for "malicious software") is any program or file that is harmful to a computer user." which includes Compattelrunner.exe due to its effect on computer performance even though it obviously does not damage files, hold the computer for ransom, and so on.

Answer 1

There is no problem with the KB descriptions, but rather with what Windows Update tells you; that is, you have to go to the KB page to check every update (unless it says security or Windows Defender). They actually sent out a Windows Defender or other security update a day after I installed another update.

Answer 2

Complaint to FTC:

Microsoft updates install a program called compattelrunner.exe on my computer without my authorization even though my update settings say, "Download important updates but let me choose whether to install them." Compattelrunner.exe serves no legitimate or beneficial purpose, and causes serious performance problems (applications running slowly or freezing up); I caught it on my computer this afternoon consuming 71% of my computer's CPU (central processing unit) capacity. I have previously, with considerable effort on my part to identify the problem's source, deleted this program but now, and this is no less than the third time, found it on my computer again. I have posted complaints to Microsoft about this but no corrective action has been taken to prevent the problem from recurring. Isn't there, in the long run, a law against installing unwanted software on somebody else's computer?

Answer 3

To disable compattelrunner.exe, just execute:

Task Scheduler  - Microsoft - Windows - Application Experience - right click on each task for: DISABLE

Et voilà !

No more problem on my Dell Inspiron 7520.

Answer 4

Hi Bill,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

CompatTelRunner.exe is a type of EXE file associated with Windows Operating System developed by Microsoft Corporation for the Windows Operating System. The latest known version of CompatTelRunner.exe is 10.0.10240.16384, which was produced for Windows. This EXE file carries a popularity rating of 1 stars and a security rating of "UNKNOWN".

The most common CompatTelRunner.exe errors that can appear on a Windows-based computer are:

- "CompatTelRunner.exe Application Error."- "CompatTelRunner.exe is not a valid Win32 application."- "CompatTelRunner.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."- "Cannot find CompatTelRunner.exe."- "CompatTelRunner.exe not found."- "Error starting program: CompatTelRunner.exe."- "CompatTelRunner.exe is not running."- "CompatTelRunner.exe failed."- "Faulting Application Path: CompatTelRunner.exe."

These EXE error messages can appear during program installation, while a CompatTelRunner.exe-related software program (eg. Windows 10 Operating System) is running, during Windows startup or shutdown, or even during the installation of the Windows operating system. Keeping track of when and where your CompatTelRunner.exe error occurs is a critical piece of information in troubleshooting the problem.

You can try a few steps as below to fix such errors:

Step 1: Conduct a full malware scan of your PC

Note: Infected files may be removed/deleted.

Step 2: Clean out Temporary files and folder with Disk Cleanup

Press Windows key + R

Type cleanmgr and click OK

System will calculate Temporary files and folders that require action

Step 3: Update your PC device drivers

You may refer to: Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly

Step 4: You can run System File Checker tool

System File Checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files.

To do this, click Start, type Command Prompt or cmd in the Search box, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.

At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

sfc /scannow

Note: Do not close this Command Prompt window until the verification is 100% complete. The scan results will be shown after this process is finished.

Step 5: Install Windows updates to keep your Windows up-to-date

Please refer to: Install Windows updates in Windows 7

KB2952664 - This update performs diagnostics on the Windows systems that participate in the Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program. These diagnostics help determine whether compatibility issues may be encountered when the latest Windows operating system is installed. This update will help Microsoft and its partners ensure compatibility for customers who want to install the latest Windows operating system.

• What exactly do you mean when you say, "How do I keep it from reinstalling"?
• Has the update being uninstalled?
• Do you want to keep it from NOT re-installing?
• Are you using multiple security software or 3rd party virus scanners in the PC?

As those programs that do not work with Windows 7, you may want to install those program keeping the system (hardware) specifications required for those programs, in mind. If the system meets those requirements, you may want to install them in compatibility mode (in both Windows 7 and Windows 10).

It is recommended that you use a security software at a time. Using multiple security software or 3rd party virus/malware scanners may create conflict and that is the time the PC gets affected.

You can refer to: Optimize Windows for better performance

Hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to reply in case you face any other issues with Windows in future.

Answer 5

I definitely recall deleting it, and even changing the security settings of the folder in which it was installed to deny access to TrustedInstaller. Tonight I found it eating up a lot of my CPU again and causing my computer to hang. I am tempted to ask Malwarebytes how to add it to the list of actual malware to be blocked or quarantined.

I found that KB2952664 was installed on March 10. How do I keep it from reinstalling?

I have already given Windows 7 a lousy recommendation on Amazon because some of my software didn't work (Corel PhotoPaint, rather expensive, and also trouble with MathCAD). I should probably give Windows 10 a poor rating on the same basis, and also because the system installs unwanted malware.