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An obvious malicious "PC APP STORE" program is running and it has blocked my main screen, and I have not been able to get rid of it. Please help.
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This must be the new and improved "PC App Store". I can open programs, but the overlay covers the program. So I couldn't complete any of the recommend fixes.
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The information here is old, because this adware now will not allow the use of any other software including Task Manager. You are 100% hijacked unless you enter a credit card number, which absolutely DO NOT GIVE. I had to reboot in safe mode, and I found instructions at an HP forum that also worked on my ASUS (so far). See: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-System-and-Recovery/I-need-to-delete-this-PC-APP-STORE-virus/td-p/9653757 . Make sure you do all the steps without being online (turn off WIFI or unplug internet cable) in case this software tries to re-upload.
As a final step, you should run Windows Defender to check for bad files, but it can't be done in safe mode. Bad stuff, Microsoft. But, if you're lucky, it will then find everything is okay. I'm open to suggestions on other antivirus software.
I also read online your default search engine may be redirected to a weird yahoo link which is also harmful. Do not go to that link. I recommend Microsoft update the information like HP did at this link. If I have more problems, I'll provide a followup.
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I am so frustrated...but it's not your fault. I can not complete the steps because all the screens are behind the "Create Your Account" screen which I believe is the main problem because I can't get it to go away. Bout to chunk my new computer- I've already yelled at it and that didn't work either.
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I had this today!
To fix I had to restart in safe mode by holding down the Shift key while clicking on Restart on the Power button. I then used the Windows recovery to go back to before the PCAppastore was installed (yesterday)
Once I was able to get in I deleted the shortcut from the desktop and removed the install program from the downloads folder.
I then used the command line to the Program Files directory and used "rmdir PCAppStore /s" . Then run the virus checker to scan the pc.
A pain in the proverbial but .....keep smiling
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(243.2, 59%, 33%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EHO%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Thank you so much Mike, your a lifesaver
