Can't remove malware/adware from Steam

S

swfc-dan

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Thread author
Mar 18, 2016
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Hi I've got a problem with malware/adware popups in the Steam client each time I load it up. I've followed your guide here which has removed some infections but hasn't fixed the problem using all the different program scans I've listed above:

How to remove trojans, spyware, rogues and other malware

The latest is a guns and roses ad which when I try and close loads up another popup. I've had it for nearly a week now, it doesn't stop me using Steam but makes it difficult and is very annoying.

I have also just noticed I've lost the Cortana search from my bottom toolbar, so I think Cortana has been disabled by by mal/adware somehow.

I haven't tried a Steam reinstall yet, if there's any way to do this without losing game installations then I'm willing to try that if it will help.
 

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Hello,


51a612a8b27e2-Zoek.png
Scan with ZOEK

Please download ZOEK by Smeenk and save it to your desktop.
Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.

  • Right-click on
    51a612a8b27e2-Zoek.png
    icon and select
    RunAsAdmin.jpg
    Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  • Wait patiently until the main console will appear, it may take a minute or two.
  • In the main box please paste in the following script:
    Code: 
    createsrpoint;
autoclean;
emptyclsid;
emptyalltemp;
ipconfig /flushdns >>"%temp%\log.txt";b
  • Make sure that Scan All Users option is checked.
  • Push Run Script and wait patiently. The scan may take a couple of minutes.
  • When the scan completes, a zoek-results logfile should open in notepad.
  • If a reboot is needed, it will be opened after it. You may also find it at your main drive (usually C:\ drive)

Upload it in your next reply.
 
I know what is the problem here, but wanted to try less painful solution first and it apparently did not help.

Problem is within Steam or more precisely with some cached malware related files. You will most likely need to reinstall Steam completely and wipe all its content from other partitions too if present. Later you can reinstall it and your games again.

But before you do it, you can first try to empty the Steam browser cache. Steam's web browser cache is stored in the following folders:
- appcache\httpcache\
- config\htmlcache\
- config\overlayhtmlcache\
Just delete these folders, but first exit Steam.

If that doesn't help, please follow the procedure below.

Please uninstall Steam completely.

After that, please delete these folders manually if present:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam
%localappdata%\Steam
%appdata%\Steam
%programdata%\Steam
 

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