Malware or viruses can attack a computer anywhere and at any time. In this post from MiniTool Software, we will discuss a type of threat called HackTool:Win32/Keygen. How does it affect your computer? How to remove it? Now, let’s get started!
What Is HackTool:Win32/Keygen?
Is HackTool:Win32/Keygen safe? The tool is not harmful itself and is always delivered together with other malware. Therefore, once you install it, your computer is very likely to get infected. HackTool:Win32/Keygen can forge activation key/license files for various software.
What’s worse, the malware or viruses that HackTool:Win32/Keygen carries might result in severe issues, such as stealing your password, hacking your personal accounts, locking your computer, and more. Therefore, you need to remove it in time to prevent further infection.
How to Remove HackTool:Win32/Keygen?
Preparation: Back up Important Data with MiniTool ShadowMaker
Virus or malware infection might cause some severe issues such as data loss, system crash, and so forth. Things will be much better if you have a backup copy of crucial files. With the backup, you can easily restore missing files.
To do so, a piece of PC backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker is worth a try. It supports backing up and restoring data with a few clicks. What’s more, you can enjoy most services for free within 30 days. Now, follow these steps to create a file backup with it:
Step 1. Launch MiniTool ShadowMaker.
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Step 2. In the Backup page, go to Folders and Files and then select the files you want to back up.
Step 3. As for the storage path for the backup image file, go to DESTINATION.
Step 4. Click on Back Up Now to start the process at once.
Solution 1: Delete the Infected File Manually
Most of the time, you can view the threat dialog in Protection History. In this page, you can see the name and the location of infected files. Here’s how to do it:
Move 1: Find the Threat Dialog
Step 1. Type Windows Security in the search bar and hit Enter.
Step 2. Scroll down to find Protection history and find it.
Step 3. Now, you can view the information of HackTool:Win32/Keygen such as Status, Alert level, and more. Note down the location where the affected items were identified.
Move 2: Remove the Infected Files
Step 1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
Step 2. Paste the path you noted down in Move 1 to locate the infected files. Right-click on it and select Delete.
Step 3. After deletion, perform a virus scan to see if HackTool:Win32/Keygen is still there.
Solution 2: Uninstall the Suspicious Programs
If HackTool:Win32/Keygen appears after downloading certain key generator or other software, please remove it in time. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
Step 2. Now, you can see all the apps installed on your computer. Right-click on the key generator you installed just now and hit Uninstall.
Step 3. Click on Uninstall again to confirm this action and wait for the uninstallation to complete.
Solution 3: Reset Your Browser to Default
Since threats like HackTool:Win32/Keygen might modify your browser settings, it is highly recommended to reset your browser to its original settings. By doing so, it will delete temporary browsing data and disable extensions without affecting other contents saved on your browser.
Here, we take resetting Google Chrome to default as an example.
Step 1. Launch Google Chrome and open its settings.
Step 2. In the Reset settings tab, hit Restore settings to their defaults.
Step 3. Then, a warning prompt will appear to tell you what this action will do. Hit Reset settings to start the resetting process.
Solution 4: Scan Your Computer with Third-Party Antivirus Software
If you still cannot get rid of HackTool:Win32/Keygen, it’s time to resort to third-party antivirus software such as Malwarebytes, McAfee, Norton, and so on.
Final Words
This post illustrates how to remove HackTool:Win32/Keygen from your computer in 4 ways. Meanwhile, creating a scheduled backup of your important files with MiniTool ShadowMaker is also of vital importance. Sincerely hope that you can always run a virus-free computer!
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Aurelie is a passionate soul who always enjoys researching & writing articles and solutions to help others. Her posts mainly cover topics related to games, data backup & recovery, file sync and so on. Apart from writing, her primary interests include reading novels and poems, travelling and listening to country music.