File Recovery is a malicious program that will display fake alerts, claiming that several hard drive errors and computer issues were detected on your machine.
In reality, none of the reported issues are real, and are only used to scare you into purchasing File Recovery and stealing your personal financial information.
Apart from the bogus alerts and warning,this rogue software has changed your desktop background to a solid black color,has hidden your files and folders and it’s causing browser redirects.
As part of its self-defense mechanism,File Recovery has disabled the Windows system utilities, including Task Manager and Windows Registry and is block you from running certain programs that could lead to its removal.
If your computer is infected with File Recovery virus,then you are seeing this images:
We strongly advise you to follow our File Recovery virus removal guide and ignore any alerts that this malicious software might generate.
Under no circumstance should you buy this rogue security software as this could lead to identity theft,and if you have, you should contact your credit card company and dispute the charge stating that the program is a scam and a computer virus.
Registration codes for File Recovery
As an optional step,you can use the following license key to register File Recovery virus and stop the fake alerts.
File Recovery activation code: 56723489134092874867245789235982
Please keep in mind that entering the above registration code will NOT remove File Recovery from your computer , instead it will just stop the fake alerts so that you’ll be able to complete our removal guide more easily.
File Recovery Removal Instructions
STEP 1 : Start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking
- Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
- Press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts.Please keep in mind that you need to press the F8 key before the Windows start-up logo appears.
Note: With some computers, if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of pressing and holding the “F8 key”, tap the “F8 key” continuously until you get the Advanced Boot Options screen. - On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Networking , and then press ENTER.
![Safe Mode with Networking screen [Image: Safemode.jpg]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/safemode.jpg)
STEP 2: Remove File Recovery malicious proxy server
File Recovery may add a proxy server which prevents the user from accessing the internet,follow the below instructions to remove the proxy.
- Start the Internet Explorer browser and if you are using Internet Explorer 9 ,click on the gear icon
(Tools for Internet Explorer 8 users) ,then select Internet Options.
![Internet Options in IE [Image: Internet-options-IE.png]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/ie1.png)
- Go to the tab Connections.At the bottom, click on LAN settings.
![Connections tab in Internet Explorer [Image: Remove-proxy-server2.png]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/ie2.png)
- Uncheck the option Use a proxy server for your LAN. This should remove the malicious proxy server and allow you to use the internet again.
![Uncheck the option Use a proxy server for your LAN [Image: Remove-proxy-server3.png]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/ie3.png)
If you are a Firefox users, go to Firefox(upper left corner) → Options → Advanced tab → Network → Settings → Select No Proxy
STEP 3: Run RKill to terminate known malware processes associated with File Recovery.
RKill is a program that will attempt to terminate all malicious processes associated with File Recovery virus,so that we will be able to perform the next step without being interrupted by this malicious software.
Because this utility will only stop File Recovery running process, and does not delete any files, after running it you should not reboot your computer as any malware processes that are configured to start automatically will just be started again.
- While your computer is in Safe Mode with Networking ,please download the latest official version of RKill.Please note that we will use a renamed version of RKILL so that File Recovery won’t block this utility from running.
RKILL DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download RKILL renamed as iExplore.exe) - Double-click on the iExplore.exe icon in order to automatically attempt to stop any processes associated with File Recovery.
![RKILL ICON [Image: run-rkill-1.png]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/rkill1.png)
- RKill will now start working in the background, please be patient while the program looks for various malware programs and tries to terminate them.
![RKILL Command prompt [Image: run-rkill-2.png]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/rkill2.png)
IF you are having problems starting or running RKill, you can download any other renamed versions of RKill from here. - When Rkill has completed its task, it will generate a log. You can then proceed with the rest of the guide.
![RKILL LOG [Image: File Recovery virus rkill3.jpg]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/rkill3.png)
WARNING: Do not reboot your computer after running RKill as the malware process will start again , preventing you from properly performing the next step.
STEP 4: Remove File Recovery malicious files with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware FREE
- Download the latest official version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware FREE.
MALWAREBYTES ANTI-MALWARE DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a download page in a new window from where you can download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free) - Start the Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware installation process by double clicking on mbam-setup file.
![Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Installer [Image: Malwarebytes Installer]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/malwarebytes-setup.png)
- When the installation begins, keep following the prompts in order to continue with the setup process. Do not make any changes to default settings and when the program has finished installing, make sure you leave both the Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware checked. Then click on the Finish button. If Malwarebytes’ prompts you to reboot, please do not do so.
![Malwarebytes last setup screen [Image: Finishing Malwarebytes installation]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/update-malwarebytes.png)
- Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start and you’ll be prompted to start a trial period , please select ‘Decline‘ as we just want to use the on-demand scanner.
![Decline trial period in Malwarebytes Anti-Malware [Image: Decline Malwarebytes trial]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/malwarebytes-trial.png)
- On the Scanner tab,select Perform full scan and then click on the Scanbutton to start scanning your computer.
![Perform a Full System Scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware [Image: Starting a full system sca]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/start-scan-malwarebytes.png)
- Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer for File Recovery malicious files as shown below.
![Malwarebytes Anti-Malware scanning for File Recovery virus [Image: Malwarebytes scanning for malicious files]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/scan-malwarebytes.png)
- When the scan is finished a message box will appear, click OK to continue.
![Malwarebytes when the system scan has finished [Image: Malwarebytes scan results]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/results-malwarebytes.png)
- You will now be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware has detected.Please note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image.Make sure that everything is Checked (ticked) and click on the Remove Selected button.
![Removing the infections found by Malwarebytes [Image: Infections found by Malwarebytes]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/detection-malwarebytes.png)
- Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start removing the malicious files.After completing this task it will display a message stating that it needs to reboot,please allow this request and then let your PC boot in Normal mode.
STEP 5: Double check your system for any left over infections with HitmanPro
- This step can be performed in Normal Mode ,so please download the latest official version of HitmanPro.
HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a download page in a new window from where you can download HitmanPro) - Double click on the previously downloaded fileto start the HitmanPro installation.
![HitmanPro Installer [Image: HitmanPro Icon]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hpro1.png)
IF you are experiencing problems while trying to starting HitmanPro, you can use the “Force Breach” mode.To start this program in Force Breach mode, hold down the left CTRL-key when you start HitmanPro and all non-essential processes are terminated, including the malware process. (How to start HitmanPro in Force Breach mode – Video) - Click on Next to install HitmanPro on your system.
![HitmanPro installation process [Image: Starting HitmanPro]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-start.png)
- The setup screen is displayed, from which you can decide whether you wish to install HitmanPro on your machine or just perform a one-time scan, select a option then click on Next to start a system scan.
![HitmanPro setup options [Image: HitmanPro installation screen]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-installation.png)
- HitmanPro will start scanning your system for malicious files as seen in the image below.
![HitmanPro while scanning for File Recovery virus virus [Image: HitmanPron scanning for File Recovery virus]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-scan.png)
- Once the scan is complete,you’ll see a screen which will display all the malicious files that the program has found.Click on Next to remove this malicious files.
![HitmanPro displaying scan results [Image: HitmanPro scan results]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-results.png)
- Click Activate free license to start the free 30 days trial and remove the malicious files.
![Activate the HitmanPro free 30 days trial to remove any detected infections [Image: Activate HitmanPro license]](//malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-activation.png)
- HitmanPro will now start removing the infected objects.If this program will ask you to restart your computer,please allow this request.
STEP 6 : Restore your shortcuts and remove any left over malicious registry keys
File Recovery has moved your shortcuts files in the Temporary Internet folder and added some malicious registry keys to your Windows installation , to restore your files we will need to perform a scan with RogueKiller.
- Please download the latest official version of RogueKiller.
ROGUEKILLER DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download RogueKiller on your computer) - Double click on RogueKiller.exe to start this utility and then wait for the Prescan to complete.This should take only a few seconds and then you can click the Start button to perform a system scan.

- After the scan has completed, press the Delete button to remove any malicious registry keys.

- Next we will need to restore your shortcuts, so click on the ShortcutsFix button and allow the program to run.

STEP 7: Unhide your files and folders
File Recovery modifies your file system in such a way that all files and folders become hidden, to restore the default settings , you’ll need to run the below program.
- Download the Unhide utility, to unhide your files and folders.
UNHIDE.EXE DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download the Unhide utility on your computer) - Double-click on the Unhide.exe icon on your desktop and allow the program to run.The whole process should not take more than 10 minutes to complete,and at the end this utility will generate a report.

STEP 8: Get your desktop look back!
File Recovery changes your desktop background to a solid black color,to change it back to default one follow the below instruction.
- Windows XP : Click on the Start button and then select Control Panel. When the Control Panel opens, please click on the Display icon. From this screen you can now change your Theme and desktop background.
- Windows 7 and Vista : Click on the Start button and then select Control Panel. When the Control Panel opens, please click on the Appearance and Personalization category. Then select Change the Theme or Change Desktop Background to revert back to your original Theme and colors.



![Safe Mode with Networking screen [Image: Safemode.jpg]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/safemode.jpg)
![Internet Options in IE [Image: Internet-options-IE.png]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/ie1.png)
![Connections tab in Internet Explorer [Image: Remove-proxy-server2.png]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/ie2.png)
![Uncheck the option Use a proxy server for your LAN [Image: Remove-proxy-server3.png]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/ie3.png)
![RKILL ICON [Image: run-rkill-1.png]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/rkill1.png)
![RKILL Command prompt [Image: run-rkill-2.png]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/rkill2.png)
![RKILL LOG [Image: File Recovery virus rkill3.jpg]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/rkill3.png)
![Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Installer [Image: Malwarebytes Installer]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/malwarebytes-setup.png)
![Malwarebytes last setup screen [Image: Finishing Malwarebytes installation]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/update-malwarebytes.png)
![Decline trial period in Malwarebytes Anti-Malware [Image: Decline Malwarebytes trial]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/malwarebytes-trial.png)
![Perform a Full System Scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware [Image: Starting a full system sca]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/start-scan-malwarebytes.png)
![Malwarebytes Anti-Malware scanning for File Recovery virus [Image: Malwarebytes scanning for malicious files]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/scan-malwarebytes.png)
![Malwarebytes when the system scan has finished [Image: Malwarebytes scan results]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/results-malwarebytes.png)
![Removing the infections found by Malwarebytes [Image: Infections found by Malwarebytes]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/detection-malwarebytes.png)
![HitmanPro Installer [Image: HitmanPro Icon]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hpro1.png)
![HitmanPro installation process [Image: Starting HitmanPro]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-start.png)
![HitmanPro setup options [Image: HitmanPro installation screen]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-installation.png)
![HitmanPro while scanning for File Recovery virus virus [Image: HitmanPron scanning for File Recovery virus]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-scan.png)
![HitmanPro displaying scan results [Image: HitmanPro scan results]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-results.png)
![Activate the HitmanPro free 30 days trial to remove any detected infections [Image: Activate HitmanPro license]](http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-activation.png)




thank you
omg i actually love you. thanks so much!
You are a life saver!!! Thank you so much!!
Hi Thanks for all tips , although its not working for me at the moment :(
I do STEP 3: Run RKill , but as soon as I do it it come s up with a message.
“This system is shutting down. Please save all work in porgress and log off. Any unsaved changes will be lost. This shutdown was initiated by NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
Time before shutdown 00.00.59
This then counts down to zero and reboots , and Im back to square one.
Also below this is says
The system process
C:\\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe terminated unexpectedly with status code 0. The system will shut down and restart.
HELP , its doing my head in :(
Hello,
Lets work in Normal mode to get around this:
Please run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware in Chameleon Mode in Norman mode:
2.Please perform a scan with HitmanPro,RogueKiller and Unhide utility as seen on the guide.
3.Run a scan with ESET Online Scanner:
ESET Online Scanner Download Link (This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)
Waiting for your reply to tell me how everything is running!
Good luck…
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU…….easy to follow and WORKED! You guys are AWESOME!
Hi, it’s after I paid this damn virus then I found this website. So since I already paid for this virus so do I start from step 2 to clean it up? (another weird thing here, on their website they offer full refund on your payment, I did that anyways after my computer got normal again, and if I don’t get it back I will go see my credit card company.)
Im sorry I mean step 3
Hello Eric,
You should contact your bank and dispute the charge stating that the program is a scam and a computer virus.they should know what to do from there.
NEXT,you still need to remove this virus…so please follow this steps:
Please run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware in Chameleon Mode in Norman mode:
2.Please perform a scan with HitmanPro,RogueKiller and Unhide utility as seen on the guide.
3.Run a scan with ESET Online Scanner:
ESET Online Scanner Download Link (This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)
Thank you so much! I think my computer is back in normal and I will definitely go to dispute that damn payment. A small question here, after I ran the unhindered utility folders and files shows up, and there is a folder called administrator on my desktop, is this folder originally being there? Can I hide it or remove it?
Glad to see everything is ok now!Yes you can remove that folder if you don’t need it… :)
Dear Stelian, I got another problem right now. After I done every steps, my background still change to a black back ground every one or two hours. I ran roguekiller each time, and the program detect a key type call WallPP every time I scan it. And then I delete it but one or two hours later, it happens again. Do you have any idea why is it?
Oh sorry I just got it fix. Thank you so much for your help!
replies like that don’t help. for other people experiencing this same issue, what did you do to fix it Eric L?
Hello doubleu,
You can always follow this steps..
STEP 1: Run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware in Chameleon Mode in Norman mode:
STEP 2: Run a scan with RogueKiller
RogueKiller Download Link (This link will automatically download RogueKiller on your computer)
STEP 3 Please perform a scan with HitmanPro as seen on the guide.
If you are having problems starting this program please use the ForceBreach mode as described in the guide.
STEP 4: Run a scan with ESET Online Scanner:
ESET Online Scanner Download Link (This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)
Waiting for your reply to tell me how everything is running!
Good luck…
OK so I Got this comp working now but no antivirus will work,or windows update. what now
Hello Donnie,
Can you please run a scan with Combofix and ESET online scanner and post the logs here :
STEP 1 : Run a scan with Combofix
Download ComboFix from one of the following locations:
COMBOFIX DOWNLOAD LINK #1 (This link will automatically download Combofix on your computer)
COMBOFIX DOWNLOAD LINK #2 (This link will automatically download Combofix on your computer)
VERY IMPORTANT !!! Save as Combo-Fix.exe during the download. ComboFix must be renamed before you download to your Desktop
———————————————————–
———————————————————–
———————————————————–
Notes:
STEP 2: Run a scan with ESET Online Scanner:
ESET Online Scanner Download Link (This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)
Waiting for your reply to tell me if your machine is ok and the logs from this utilities.
What antivirus are you using?
Wow thank you! Your step by step instructions worked perfectly. I’m not a pro by any means but your procedure and the powerful programs downloaded really nailed it. Amazing. Thank you so much!
Thanks Stelian – great instructions and tools.
-Thanks a million – worked like a charm. I just wished I knew how this nasty malware entered my system.
Kudos – Russ
Lot of thanks. You are The BEST!!
Wow.. Thank you so much!!! Easy to follow instructions you are a life saver very greatfull :-)
I need help!! After running Hitman Pro, I restarted my computer (HP Paviliom dm1) and it booted into Win7 Home Premium (i use Home Basic), in english (my PC is in spanish) and with no apparent way to return to the previous partition. Do you have any solutions? It doesn’t even show me the options to select a user account, it’s like its a completely different computer. Please, help!
Hello Javier,
You have a Master Boot Record infection which HitmanPro fixed.. this is the reason why your computer is now booting into the English version.
Do you know any fixes for this? I’ve going crazy over this for the last two days!
I LOVE YOU! (Don’t tell my wife…)
Thanks for this – you saved our day. Superman wears pajamas with YOUR picture on it.
Thank You very much! Appreciate you time and effort explaining in detail and step-by-step. It worked and successfully removed the nasty virus….Keep up the good work.
Thank u man very useful guide…ui saved us :)
Tnx, this save my day!
Great guide that really worked.
Thanks one more time.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!! YOU ARE A GENIUS!!! YOU SAVED ME!!!!!
This virus is popping up when I’m in safe mode too. It wont let me run anything.
Hello ,
Lets work in NORMAL MODE to see if we can get around this :
Please run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware in Chameleon Mode in Norman mode:
2.Please perform a scan with HitmanPro as seen on the guide.
3.Run a scan with ESET Online Scanner:
ESET Online Scanner Download Link (This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU !
Hi! Great writeup, but I’m having trouble using it. I have gone to safemode with networking on my infected laptop but IE is completely hidden and can’t be searched. FireFox is visible but when I try to open it it says FireFox is busy and another application is already open. There are no programs running anywhere, and I can’t browse to follow your tutorial. Help please.
Hello,
Lets try another way around this
1While in Normal Mode,please try to download and run Malwarebytes Chameleon:
iexplore.exe http://downloads.malwarebytes.org/file/chameleon2.Please perform a scan with HitmanPro,RogueKiller and Unhide.exe as seen on the guide.
3.Run a scan with ESET Online Scanner:
ESET Online Scanner Download Link (This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)