How to Remove a Ransomware Banner in Windows

Ransomware banners are a type of malicious software that blocks access to your computer or displays a message demanding payment to unlock the system. This type of threat can be particularly annoying, especially if it interferes with your ability to use the computer. In this guide, we'll cover effective methods to remove ransomware banners from Windows with minimal system impact.

1. Restart Your Computer in Safe Mode

The first step to resolving the issue is to try booting the system in Safe Mode. This mode allows Windows to start with a minimal set of drivers and services, which may prevent the ransomware from launching.

• Turn off the computer.
• Press the power button, and as soon as the system begins to boot, repeatedly press the F8 key (or another key depending on your system model).
• Select "Safe Mode" from the boot options menu.

If the banner does not appear, proceed with the following steps in Safe Mode to remove the virus.

2. Use Antivirus Software

Most antivirus programs can detect and remove ransomware. It's recommended to use antivirus software with an up-to-date database to increase the chances of identifying the threat.

• Run your antivirus and select a full system scan.
• Once the scan is complete, remove any detected threats.

If you don’t have antivirus software installed, consider downloading a free version of a reputable tool like Malwarebytes or Kaspersky.

3. Disable Malicious Programs from Startup

Some ransomware banners may be set to load at startup. Disabling suspicious items from your startup list can prevent them from appearing each time Windows boots.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Disable any unfamiliar programs or those that were recently added.

4. Use Dedicated Malware Removal Tools

Standard antivirus software may sometimes struggle with ransomware removal. In such cases, specialized malware removal tools can be highly effective.

• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware — one of the most popular tools for removing malicious software.
• HitmanPro — a powerful tool for detecting and eliminating threats.

Download one of these tools, install it, and perform a full system scan.

5. Perform a System Restore

If the banner persists, consider restoring the system to a previous point before the infection occurred. Windows automatically creates restore points, allowing you to revert the system to a cleaner state.

• Open the Control Panel.
• Go to the Recovery section.
• Select Open System Restore and choose a restore point before the appearance of the banner.

6. Manually Remove Entries from the Registry (Advanced Users Only)

If other methods fail, you can attempt to remove the ransomware from the registry manually. This method is for advanced users only, as incorrect changes to the registry can lead to system issues.

• Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
• Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and delete any suspicious entries.