Removal instructions for WindowsLicenseUpdate

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is WindowsLicenseUpdate?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that WindowsLicenseUpdate is a Tech Support Scam. These so-called "Tech Support Scammers" try to trick you into calling their phone number for various reasons, all of which turn out to be fraudulent in the end.
For more information on this particular type of Windows Shell hijackers please read this blogpost.

How do I know if my computer is affected by WindowsLicenseUpdate?

You may see this warning during install:

and this entry in your list of installed programs:

How did WindowsLicenseUpdate get on my computer?

Tech Support Scammers use different methods for distributing themselves.
This one makes it appear the system hangs after logging in, while displaying the Tech Support Scammers number.

How do I remove WindowsLicenseUpdate?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted application.
But due to the way this TechSupportScam installs itself we will need a way to bypass it.
If you already have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware installed, you can use Chameleon to get rid of this infection.

In the TechSupportScam screen use the keycombination Ctrl-Alt-Del.
From the resulting list of options choose "Start Task Manager".
In the list of processes find every process called "error(.exe)", select them one by one and click on the "End Process" button. Confirm that you want to end the process.
Then in the Taskmanager menu click "File" > "New Task (Run...)" > "Browse..."
In the resulting explorer window navigate to the Chameleon folder, usually "C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware\Chameleon\Windows" and doubleclick on "iexplore(.exe)".
and follow the instructions ("Press any key to continue"). Chameleon will kill the process and start Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to finish it up.
Reboot when prompted to do so and everything should be fine.

If you do not have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware installed, please proceed as follows.

In the TechSupportScam screen use the keycombination Ctrl-Alt-Del.
From the resulting list of options choose "Start Task Manager".
In the list of processes find every process called "error(.exe)", select them one by one and click on the "End Process" button. Confirm that you want to end the process.
Then in the Taskmanager menu click "File" > "New Task (Run...)" and type "explorer" and then press "Enter".
You should see your Desktop again. If not, navigate to "C:\Program Files (x86)" and find a folder that has the same name as your computer. In that folder find the file "error(.exe)" and delete the file. Reboot when it is gone and your system should boot normal again.
Next, download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
Double-click mbam-setup-version.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
- Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
- Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Then click Finish.
If an update is found, you will be prompted to download and install the latest version.
Once the program has loaded, select Scan Now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
Restart your computer when prompted to do so.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of WindowsLicenseUpdate?

No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes WindowsLicenseUpdate completely.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the Tech Supprt Scam.

Technical details for experts

You may see these entries in FRST logs:

 HKLM-x32\...\Run: [LicenceError] => C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe [308736 2016-04-11] ()
 HKLM-x32\...\Winlogon: [Shell] C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe [308736 ] () <=== ATTENTION
 HKCU\...\Run: [LicenceError] => C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe [308736 2016-04-11] ()
 HKCU\...\Winlogon: [Shell] C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe [308736 2016-04-11] () <==== ATTENTION
 C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate

WindowsLicenseUpdate (HKLM-x32\...\WindowsLicenseUpdate) (Version:  - )

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate
       Adds the file error.exe"="4/11/2016 7:31 PM, 308736 bytes, A
       Adds the file rst30.bat"="3/31/2016 9:47 PM, 197 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="6/27/2016 11:15 AM, 75323 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.ini"="6/27/2016 11:15 AM, 1618 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
       "LicenceError"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WindowsLicenseUpdate]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\Uninstall.exe"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "WindowsLicenseUpdate"
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\Uninstall.exe"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
       "Shell" = REG_SZ, "C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
       "LicenceError"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
       "Shell"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 6/27/2016
Scan Time: 11:02 AM
Logfile: mbamWLU.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.2.1.1043
Malware Database: v2016.06.27.02
Rootkit Database: v2016.05.27.01
License: Premium
Malware Protection: Enabled
Malicious Website Protection: Enabled
Self-protection: Enabled

OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {username}

Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 313891
Time Elapsed: 8 min, 58 sec

Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled

Processes: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 1
Rogue.TechSupportScam, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\WindowsLicenseUpdate, Quarantined, [bb33c53c108ad95de2dce714f1125ea2], 

Registry Values: 2
Rogue.TechSupportScam, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN|LicenceError, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe, Quarantined, [25c96d94faa0d75fb1e22631e91744bc]
Rogue.TechSupportScam, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN|LicenceError, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe, Quarantined, [25c96d94faa0d75fb1e22631e91744bc]

Registry Data: 2
Hijack.Shell, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\WINLOGON|Shell, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe, Good: (Explorer.exe), Bad: (C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe),Replaced,[b33b29d8c9d1d85e8c346611b54fe61a]
Hijack.Shell, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\WINLOGON|Shell, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe, Good: (Explorer.exe), Bad: (C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe),Replaced,[8c627f826c2e83b36d5b1661768e51af]

Folders: 1
Rogue.TechSupportScam, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate, Quarantined, [bb33c53c108ad95de2dce714f1125ea2], 

Files: 5
Rogue.TechSupportScam, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\error.exe, Quarantined, [25c96d94faa0d75fb1e22631e91744bc], 
Rogue.TechSupportScam, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\c138.exe, Quarantined, [ea041ae73c5ec571ea475880d62b22de], 
Rogue.TechSupportScam, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\rst30.bat, Quarantined, [bb33c53c108ad95de2dce714f1125ea2], 
Rogue.TechSupportScam, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [bb33c53c108ad95de2dce714f1125ea2], 
Rogue.TechSupportScam, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsLicenseUpdate\Uninstall.ini, Quarantined, [bb33c53c108ad95de2dce714f1125ea2], 

Physical Sectors: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)

As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):

Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
Malware Execution Prevention

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.

#1
Metallica

Posted 27 June 2016 - 03:53 AM

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