Remove "VLC-UPDATER.EXE" virus (Removal Guide)

What is VLC-UPDATER.EXE?

VLC-UPDATER.EXE usually infiltrates your computer while being downloaded in a bundle with a popular hacked programs or while being included in downloaded file with a bunch of other trojans.

VLC-UPDATER.EXE causes the great problems for you, such as replacing your browser starting page with malicious one, browser search redirecting, changing security settings and allowing popup advertisements to show up.

VLC-UPDATER.EXE virus accomplishes this tasks by registering virus process in startup or by automatically launching malicious sites.

You have 2 ways to remove VLC-UPDATER.EXE:

1. Remove Automatically.
2. Remove Manually.

Why I recommend you to use an automatic way?

1. You know only one virus name: "VLC-UPDATER.EXE", but usually you have infected by a bunch of viruses.
   The UnHackMe program detects this threat and all others.
2. UnHackMe is quite fast! You need only 5 minutes to check your PC.
3. UnHackMe uses the special features to remove hard in removal viruses. If you remove a virus manually, it can prevent deleting using a self-protecting module. If you even delete the virus, it may recreate himself by a stealthy module.
4. UnHackMe is small and compatible with any antivirus.
5. UnHackMe is fully free for 30-days!

Here’s how to remove VLC-UPDATER.EXE virus automatically:

STEP 1: Install UnHackMe (1 minute)

STEP 2: Scan for malware using UnHackMe (1 minute)

STEP 3: Remove VLC-UPDATER.EXE virus (3 minutes)

So it was much easier to fix such problem automatically, wasn't it?
That is why I strongly advise you to use UnHackMe for remove VLC-UPDATER.EXE redirect or other unwanted software.

How to remove VLC-UPDATER.EXE manually:

STEP 1: Check all shortcuts of your browsers on your desktop, taskbar and in the Start menu. Right click on your shortcut and change it's properties.

You can see VLC-UPDATER.EXE or another web site at the end of shortcut target (command line). Remove it and save changes.

In addition, check this command line for fake browser's trick.
For example, if a shortcut points to Google Chrome, it must have the path:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe.
Fake browser may be: …\Appdata\Roaming\HPReyos\ReyosStarter3.exe.
Also the file name may be: “chromium.exe” instead of chrome.exe.

STEP 2: Investigate the list of installed programs and uninstall all unknown recently installed programs.

STEP 3: Open Task Manager and close all processes, related to VLC-UPDATER.EXE in their description. Discover the directories where such processes start. Search for random or strange file names.

Remove VLC-UPDATER.EXE virus from running processes

STEP 4: Inspect the Windows services. Press Win+R, type in: services.msc and press OK.

Remove VLC-UPDATER.EXE virus from Windows services

Disable the services with random names or contains VLC-UPDATER.EXE in it's name or description.

STEP 5: After that press Win+R, type in: taskschd.msc and press OK to open Windows Task Scheduler.

Delete any task related to VLC-UPDATER.EXE. Disable unknown tasks with random names.

STEP 6: Clear the Windows registry from VLC-UPDATER.EXE virus.
Press Win+R, type in: regedit.exe and press OK.

Remove VLC-UPDATER.EXE virus from Windows registry

Find and delete all keys/values contains VLC-UPDATER.EXE.

STEP 7: Remove VLC-UPDATER.EXE from Google Chrome.

STEP 8: Remove VLC-UPDATER.EXE from Internet Explorer.

Set Internet Explorer Homepage

STEP 9: Remove VLC-UPDATER.EXE from Mozilla Firefox.

Change Firefox Home Page

STEP 10: And at the end, clear your basket, temporal files, browser's cache.

But if you miss any of these steps and only one part of virus remains – it will come back again immediately or after reboot.