In the past several months, there’s been a boom in a particular type of malware apps that come from the same unknown creator and function in very much the same way, but since new iterations are made nearly every day, the malware stays relevant. Today, I came across yet another rogue app of this family – an adware named Tiaow VApp. Like Woiap WApp, Kowi SApp, and other similar apps, it mostly installs through file bundles – it can be found in unofficial or pirated software installers as well as in mods for certain games like Minecraft or Roblox.
If you have this app in your system, you can expect from it generation of random ads, misleading pop-ups, and even fake malware warnings that try to trick you into downloading some fake security tool. Do not trust anything that comes from this malware or you may fall victim to scams or get more malware downloaded onto your PC.
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The obvious solution here is to get rid of Tiaow VApp but doing so manually can be tricky if you aren’t experienced in dealing with such malware. That’s why I’ve prepared a detailed guide that will show you how to handle this malware. Alternatively, you can also opt for the quicker and safer method of deleting Tiaow VApp with the help of SpyHunter 5.
Tiaow VApp Removal Tutorial
We should first begin with the simpler steps. In rare cases, they may be sufficient to delete malware such as Tiaow VApp, but even if the rogue app is still in your system after you perform these steps, they still set the stage for the more advanced methods I’ll show you later:
- Open your Start Menu and search for “Apps & Features.” Once there, you’ll see a list of every program installed on your system.
- To make this process easier, sort the list by installation date. Why? Because new arrivals are often the culprits.
- Now, scan the list carefully. Do you see Tiaow VApp or anything else with a bland name, a generic icon, or a title you don’t remember downloading? These could be your first red flags. If you find something fishy, don’t waste time—uninstall it.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to remove the program.
- Then go one step further: find where it was installed and manually delete any leftover files or folders. Even if you’re not sure it’s malware, this.
Restart your PC when you are done and if you are still noticing signs of Tiaow VApp’s presence, continue with the advanced steps below.
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Important! Read Before Continuing
This guide keeps things as simple as possible, but if you’re not familiar with manually removing malware, some steps might seem a bit daunting. That’s completely normal.
If you’d rather avoid the hassle or are concerned about overlooking something important, there’s a much easier solution. SpyHunter 5 is a powerful tool that can detect, and eliminate Tiaow VApp automatically – along with any other hidden malware that might be lurking on your system.
If you’re looking for a quick, no-stress way to ensure your PC is completely clean, SpyHunter 5 could be your best option.
How to Remove the Tiaow VApp Virus
The first step of this advanced removal tutorial is to fulfill two preparatory requirements, without which you may be unable to find and delete all malware data on your PC. Here’s what to do:
Open your Start Menu, search for “Folder Options,” and navigate to the “View” tab. Here, select the option to “Show hidden files, folders, and drives,” then click Apply. Just like that, you’ve pulled back the curtain.
You’ll also want to install LockHunter, a useful free tool that lets you delete files even when Windows insists they’re “in use.” Malware often locks its files to avoid deletion, but LockHunter gives you the upper hand.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Delete the Tiaow VApp Virus Files
Now comes the detective work. With hidden files visible and LockHunter in your arsenal, it’s time to scour your system for any traces of Tiaow VApp.
Note that if a particular file “refuses” to be deleted, you just need to right-click it, then select the “What’s locking it?” option and click Delete in the LockHunter window that shows up.
Now start by visiting these key directories:
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming
- C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
Look for anything out of place – files with cryptic names, folders you didn’t create, or anything that feels suspicious. If you find something, delete it.
Next, clear out your Temp folder by navigating to C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Temp. Select everything (Ctrl + A) and delete it. Don’t worry – this folder is just a dumping ground for temporary files. Deleting its contents won’t harm your system, but it will clear out any malware lurking there.
Finally, check your Program Files folders (C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86)). Legitimate programs live here, but so do malware impostors. If anything looks odd, investigate further – and if you’re confident it’s malicious, get rid of it.
How to Delete Persistent Files with Lock Hunter
Remove Tiaow VApp Malware Tasks From the Task Scheduler
Many malware creators set their malicious programs to secretly create scheduled tasks in the system. Such tasks could be used to automatically launch the malware or even re-download and reinstall it after it’s been deleted. Here’s how to check your schedule tasks and delete anything suspicious:
Open the Task Scheduler by searching for it in your Start Menu and navigate to the Task Scheduler Library.
Go through the tasks one by one. Open each task’s properties and look at the “Actions” tab. Are any tasks linked to suspicious directories like AppData? Are they trying to connect to unknown websites? If the answer is yes, delete them immediately. Take your time here—overlooking even one task could allow Tiaow VApp to claw its way back.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Get Rid of Tiaow VApp Through the System Registry
The registry cleanup is on of the more difficult steps from this guide. You need to go into your system’s registry, look for malware items, and delete them, but inexperienced users may find it difficult to determine if something is linked to Tiaow VApp or not.
In such cases, it may be best to leave it to SpyHunter 5 to take care of things. But if you are confident you can solve this yourself, here’s what you should do:
Open the Registry Editor by searching for “regedit” in the Start Menu. Run it as an administrator and press Ctrl + F to search for entries related to Tiaow VApp.
If you find something that looks shady, delete it. But tread carefully: the registry is a critical part of your system, and deleting the wrong entry can cause problems. Stick to removing entries you’re certain are tied to malware.
You must also navigate to each of the next directories and check their contents on the left side of the Registry Editor window.
Check the values (right panel) of each key and delete anything that looks related to Tiaow VApp. However, here, it’s important to not delete the keys themselves (the items in the left panel).
Video walkthrough for this step:
Remove Tiaow VApp Browser Policies
Some adware apps might introduce rogue policies to the browser which stop the user from reversing any unwanted changes made to the browser’s settings. If you see the “Managed by your organization” message anywhere in your browser, it means such policy is present and you must take care of it in the following way:
Search for Edit Group Policy in the Start Menu and open the Group Policy Editor.
Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates.
Right-click, select Add/Remove, and clear the list. Just delete everything there.
Chrome users can simplify this step by using a tool like Chrome Policy Remover. Just download it from our link, run it with admin rights, and let it automatically clear all Chrome policies.
If Windows warns you about the tool being from an unknown developer, just click More Info > Run Anyway. The tool is perfectly safe, so no need to worry about it.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Manual Group Policy Removal
Automatic Group Policy Removal
Uninstall Tiaow VApp From Your Browser
With browser policies restored, clean up any lingering changes.
Open your browser’s extensions page and uninstall anything you didn’t personally add.
Then clear your browsing data by heading to the “Privacy and Security” settings. Choose the “All Time” range, and delete everything except your passwords.
Review your Site Settings and revoke permissions for any websites that don’t belong.
Then, check your default search engine and your startup and new tab pages, removing anything suspicious.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Mozilla Firefox
Call in Backup
If Tiaow VApp still refuses to go quietly, it’s time to call in reinforcements. Professional-grade tools like SpyHunter can perform deep scans and remove malware that evades manual deletion. These tools are especially useful for uncovering hidden files or registry entries you might have missed.
Staying Safe: Prevention is Key
Removing malware is hard work, but preventing it is much easier. To protect your system in the future, download software only from trusted sources, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and invest in reliable antivirus software. Regularly update your operating system, perform routine scans, and monitor for unusual activity.
By staying vigilant, you can keep malware like Tiaow VApp at bay. Remember, you’re not just cleaning your system—you’re reclaiming your digital space. Keep your guard up, and you’ll stay one step ahead of the scammers. You’ve got this.
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