PUABundler:Win32/Startfenster Virus Removal

The PUABundler:Win32/Startfenster alert, is a sign that your PC has a problem. Allowing it to keep running may end up with some really bad consequences. Unwanted apps are not as dangerous as regular viruses, but still can mischief and lead to system instability.

Startfenster unwanted application can not be named full-fledged malware. Nonetheless, it has plenty of signs to say that you will not love the changes this thing brings to your PC. PUAs like that may be just a pesky thing, as well as lead to a severe influence on your system’s functionality. Additionally, there are several situations when users report that this application collects user information or other sensitive stuff.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

When we talk about the intrusion of unfamiliar programs into your computer’s work, the proverb “Forewarned is forearmed” describes the situation as accurately as possible. Gridinsoft Anti-Malware is exactly the tool that is always useful to have in your armory: fast, efficient, up-to-date. It is appropriate to use it as an emergency help at the slightest suspicion of infection.

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PUABundler Startfenster Detection Overview

The PUABundler:Win32/Startfenster detection you can see in the lower right corner is shown to you by Windows Defender. That anti-malware program is good at scanning, but prone to be generally unreliable. It is prone to malware invasions, it has a glitchy interface and problematic malware-clearing features. For this reason, the pop-up that states concerning the Startfenster is rather just a notification that Defender has identified it. To remove it, you will likely need to make use of a separate anti-malware program.

Microsoft Defender: “PUABundler:Win32/Startfenster”

The Startfenster unwanted program is a case in point of PUA, which is pretty common nowadays. Being free to use, it may offer you “the extended capabilities” for the additional payment. Some examples of this program type can have no useful performance at all – just the shell with the colorful interface. You can see it promoted as a system optimization tool, driver updater, or torrent downloading tracker. This or another way does not grant you any kind of true functionality, exposing you to risk instead.

Unwanted Program Summary:

Is Startfenster dangerous?

I have detailed that PUABundler:Win32/Startfenster PUA is not as safe as it claims to be. The “legit and helpful” tool can suddenly unveil itself as a downloader trojan, spyware, backdoor, or coin miner virus. And you can never figure out what to look for even from separate variants of the unwanted program. That still does not imply that you need to panic – possibly, this nasty thing has not succeeded in doing bad things to your computer.

The exact damage to your system can be created not only as a result of the malware injection. A considerable share of doubtful programs, like the Startfenster application, is just poorly designed. Potentially, their actions are more effective than useless if done on specific system setups, but not on each one. That’s how a basic system optimization tool may trigger chaos with constant BSODs on your system. Any interruptions to the system registry are not very safe, and they are a lot more unsafe if performed with such programs.

How did I get this virus?

It is not easy to line the origins of malware on your computer. Nowadays, things are mixed, and spreading tactics utilized by adware 5 years ago may be utilized by spyware these days. However, if we abstract from the exact distribution tactic and think of why it works, the explanation will be really simple – low level of cybersecurity awareness. Individuals click on advertisements on weird sites, click the pop-ups they receive in their browsers, and call the “Microsoft tech support” believing that the scary banner that says about malware is true. It is very important to know what is legitimate – to avoid misunderstandings when trying to determine a virus.

The example of Microsoft Tech support scam banner

Nowadays, there are two of the most common tactics of malware spreading – bait e-mails and also injection into a hacked program. While the first one is not so easy to avoid – you should know a lot to understand a fake – the second one is very easy to solve: just don’t utilize hacked programs. Torrent trackers and various other sources of “free” applications (which are paid, but with a disabled license checking) are just a giveaway place of malware. And Startfenster is just amongst them.

Remove Startfenster with Gridinsoft Anti-Malware

We have also been using this software on our systems ever since, and it has always been successful in detecting viruses. It has blocked the most common PUAs as shown from our tests with the software, and we assure you that it can remove Startfenster as well as other malware hiding on your computer.

To use Gridinsoft for remove malicious threats, follow the steps below:

1. Begin by downloading Gridinsoft Anti-Malware, accessible via the blue button below or directly from the official website gridinsoft.com.

2.Once the Gridinsoft setup file (setup-gridinsoft-fix.exe) is downloaded, execute it by clicking on the file.

3.Follow the installation setup wizard's instructions diligently.

4. Access the "Scan Tab" on the application's start screen and launch a comprehensive "Full Scan" to examine your entire computer. This inclusive scan encompasses the memory, startup items, the registry, services, drivers, and all files, ensuring that it detects malware hidden in all possible locations.

Be patient, as the scan duration depends on the number of files and your computer's hardware capabilities. Use this time to relax or attend to other tasks.

5. Upon completion, Anti-Malware will present a detailed report containing all the detected malicious items and threats on your PC.

6. Select all the identified items from the report and confidently click the "Clean Now" button. This action will safely remove the malicious files from your computer, transferring them to the secure quarantine zone of the anti-malware program to prevent any further harmful actions.

8. If prompted, restart your computer to finalize the full system scan procedure. This step is crucial to ensure thorough removal of any remaining threats. After the restart, Gridinsoft Anti-Malware will open and display a message confirming the completion of the scan.

Remember Gridinsoft offers a 6-day free trial. This means you can take advantage of the trial period at no cost to experience the full benefits of the software and prevent any future malware infections on your system. Embrace this opportunity to fortify your computer's security without any financial commitment.

Trojan Killer for “Startfenster” removal on locked PC

In situations where it becomes impossible to download antivirus applications directly onto the infected computer due to malware blocking access to websites, an alternative solution is to utilize the Trojan Killer application.

There is a really little number of security tools that are able to be set up on the USB drives, and antiviruses that can do so in most cases require to obtain quite an expensive license. For this instance, I can recommend you to use another solution of GridinSoft - Trojan Killer Portable. It has a 14-days cost-free trial mode that offers the entire features of the paid version. This term will definitely be 100% enough to wipe malware out.

Trojan Killer is a valuable tool in your cybersecurity arsenal, helping you to effectively remove malware from infected computers. Now, we will walk you through the process of using Trojan Killer from a USB flash drive to scan and remove malware on an infected PC. Remember, always obtain permission to scan and remove malware from a computer that you do not own.

Step 1: Download & Install Trojan Killer on a Clean Computer:

1. Go to the official GridinSoft website (gridinsoft.com) and download Trojan Killer to a computer that is not infected.

2. Insert a USB flash drive into this computer.

3. Install Trojan Killer to the "removable drive" following the on-screen instructions.

4. Once the installation is complete, launch Trojan Killer.

Step 2: Update Signature Databases:

5. After launching Trojan Killer, ensure that your computer is connected to the Internet.

6. Click "Update" icon to download the latest signature databases, which will ensure the tool can detect the most recent threats.

Step 3: Scan the Infected PC:

7. Safely eject the USB flash drive from the clean computer.

8. Boot the infected computer to the Safe Mode.

9. Insert the USB flash drive.

10. Run tk.exe

11. Once the program is open, click on "Full Scan" to begin the malware scanning process.

Step 4: Remove Found Threats:

12. After the scan is complete, Trojan Killer will display a list of detected threats.

13. Click on "Cure PC!" to remove the identified malware from the infected PC.

14. Follow any additional on-screen prompts to complete the removal process.

Step 5: Restart Your Computer:

15. Once the threats are removed, click on "Restart PC" to reboot your computer.

16. Remove the USB flash drive from the infected computer.

Congratulations on effectively removing Startfenster and the concealed threats from your computer! You can now have peace of mind, knowing that they won't resurface again. Thanks to Gridinsoft's capabilities and commitment to cybersecurity, your system is now protected.

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