If your computer has all of a sudden begun to act up – slowing down, bombarding you with pop-ups, or exhibiting other strange behaviors – it might be infected with a malware app like Etset. This is a Trojan Horse that many users have reported in recent days, so it’s possible that you are dealing with it too, in which case, you are in the right place.
Trojan Horses like Etset and others like Background.js and Winring0 will generally disguise as harmless software so they don’t raise suspicion while secretly performing harmful activities. The virus can drain your system’s resources or expose you to online scams or even steal sensitive information (credit card details are a common target).
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Typically, this malware spreads through bundled software downloads – it is attached to the installer of another program and gets installed alongside it. Once it’s in the system, Etset creates additional files, tampers with the Windows Registry, and sets up scheduled tasks. All this is done to make the inevitable removal attempts ineffective.
However, it’s still perfectly possible to remove this threat even without using specialized tools. Admittedly, the process is a bit complex and can take a while, but the following guide will help you through it. And if you still think that the manual approach is too advanced for you, know you can always trust SpyHunter 5 – the removal tool available on this page – to take care of the Etset problem for you.
Etset Trojan Removal Guide
Many individuals encounter difficulties when attempting to scrub Etset from their systems completely. Begin with the straightforward tactic – a basic uninstallation through standard means. If this proves ineffective, you’ll need to dive into more intricate methods to root it out. Neglecting these deeper strategies might allow Trojan:Win32/Etset!rfn to linger, quietly undermining your system’s security.
Quick Steps to Remove Etset rfn
- 1.1Access Settings, proceed to the Apps section, and activate the Installation Date filter to pinpoint software added recently, helping you spot culprits fast.
- 1.2Examine the list for entries like Etset, or any unfamiliar programs installed concurrently, which might indicate bundled threats.
- 1.3Highlight the suspect application, click Uninstall, and carefully follow the on-screen instructions to ensure the removal process completes successfully.
- 1.4Launch File Explorer, then navigate to C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86) to search for residual traces of the program.
- 1.5Should you discover folders named Etset or Quick Updater, delete them promptly to eliminate potential hiding spots for the malware.
After completing these steps, restart your computer to refresh the system. If Etset still lingers, prepare for more intensive measures.
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Before You Begin: Something to Keep in Mind
The steps ahead include technical actions that might intimidate those new to system management. If any part feels overwhelming or uncertain, consider an automated tool as a safer, simpler way to eradicate the malware efficiently.
How to Fully Get Rid of Etset
If the initial approach didn’t expel Etset, you’re in for a meticulous cleanup effort. This program embeds itself tenaciously, leaving fragments strewn across your device. You must track down every trace to prevent its return. Proper groundwork is essential, or you’ll waste time chasing a persistent foe.
1. Preparing for the Etset Removal
- 1.1
Open File Explorer, select the View tab, and click Options (or Folder Options) to adjust settings. In the View section, enable Show hidden files, folders, and drives, then press Apply and OK to reveal concealed items. - 1.2Download and install LockHunter, a free, powerful tool designed to tackle files that resist standard deletion attempts, ensuring you’re equipped for stubborn remnants later.
We understand if you don’t want to use third-party software and we generally try to keep our guides entirely “hands-on”. However, in this case, you may need this app to eliminate some malware files which is an essential part of the removal process.
But don’t worry, LockHunter won’t ask for money, doesn’t have ads, and doesn’t even require a registration. You can download and install it in about two minutes.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Remove Trojan:Win32/Etset!rfn Processes From the Task Manager
Here’s the key – Etset often runs stealthy background processes that block complete removal if left active. Open Task Manager to identify and stop these culprits. Terminate them before advancing, or the program will keep resurrecting itself relentlessly.
2. How to Delete Etset Processes in the Task Manager
- 2.1Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to summon Task Manager, and click More Details if the full view isn’t displayed, exposing all running activities.
- 2.2In the Processes tab, sort by CPU Usage or Memory to highlight resource-heavy or odd tasks that might signal trouble.
- 2.3
Locate processes linked to Etset, or other anomalies, then right-click and select Open File Location to reveal their directories for further action. - 2.4Keep the folder open, return to Task Manager, select the rogue process, and click End Task to halt its operation immediately.
- 2.5Switch back to the open directory from Open File Location and delete all contents to erase the process’s footprint entirely.
- 2.6If a file resists with a “File/Folder in use by another process” error, use LockHunter: right-click, choose What’s locking this file/process?, and remove it decisively from there.
Video walkthrough for this step:
How to Delete Persistent Files with Lock Hunter
Delete Etset Virus Files
Etset doesn’t confine itself to one area – it scatters files throughout your system sneakily. To banish it for good, you must scour every potential refuge thoroughly. Every linked item must be eradicated, or it could silently regenerate later.
3. How to Get Rid of Etset Files
- 3.1Check these specific paths to uncover Etset hideouts, ensuring no stone is left unturned:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Etset\bar\updater.exe
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Programs
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
C:\Program Files
C:\Program Files (x86)
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup - 3.2If you spot anything tied to Etset or QuickUpdater.exe, delete it, but verify names carefully to avoid harming vital system files unintentionally.
- 3.3Head to C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Temp, select all temporary files, and delete them, clearing out unnecessary clutter that might harbor traces.
- 3.4For any files that defy deletion attempts, rely on LockHunter to unlock and eliminate them, proving its worth as a critical tool.
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3.5
Finally, remember to clear the Temp folder. It’s located atC:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Temp.
It stores only temporary files, which are all okay to delete. So, to save yourself some time spent looking for malware files, just Ctrl + A to select everything, and then press Delete from your keyboard to delete all of the folder’s contents.
Get Rid of Etset Scheduled Tasks
Etset doesn’t just hide – it may schedule tasks to maintain its presence persistently. You’ll need to dive into Task Scheduler and excise anything connected to it. Failing to do so risks it reactivating upon your next system restart.
4. Eliminate Etset Scheduled Tasks
- 4.1
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then switch to the Startup tab to view programs launching at boot. - 4.2Scan for Etset or suspicious entries, disable them to stop automatic startups, and keep your system cleaner.
- 4.3Preserve only the applications you trust and need to run at startup
Video walkthrough for this step:
Uninstall the Etset Malware Through the Windows Registry
Now it gets intricate – Etset digs into the Windows Registry, requiring careful extraction. Removing these entries is crucial to confirm its total elimination, but precision is vital. A misstep here could disrupt your system, so double-check before deleting.
5. Remove Etset Through the Registry
- 5.1Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter to access the Registry Editor for deep system modifications.
- 5.2Press Ctrl + F, search for Etset, and delete each entry found – keep searching until no results remain, then repeat for Quick Updater and clear those too.
- 5.3Inspect these registry locations for Etset traces:
HKEY_USERS\Software\Etset.ai
HKEY_USERS\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall{31F4B209-D4E1-41E0-A34F-35EFF7117AE8} - 5.4Also, explore these common malware haunts for additional threats:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\Setup
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
Check values on the right side, delete suspicious entries, but leave the keys intact to avoid system harm.
Video walkthrough for this step: