How to Remove the Zupdater.exe Virus?

Zupdater.exe is a malicious process that uses the computing power of your system to mine cryptocurrency. Its original version is associated with System Tools 2003 hardware. Some security experts have categorized it as one of the most absurd device infections you can confront.

Once it is executed, it will secretly install itself and take up most of the system resources to drive the mining process. Generally, this process requires enormous GPU and CPU power, and because of this, you are likely to encounter the Zupdater.exe error. In most cases, a pop-up window will appear stating that an error has occurred, while executing the Zupdater.exe process.

Many users have complained of Zupdater.exe errors and are not able to identify the cause. Probably they clicked on fake links or installed freeware from malicious websites. So, if your PC is corrupted with this software, it may be time to do a full system check to find out any possible harm, and then uninstall it. In this article, we will help you remove the Zupdater.exe virus and teach you how to prevent future occurrences.

Description of the Zupdater.exe Error

As a hijacker, Zupdater.exe usually enters your system uninvited. And once it has taken charge, it will alter your browser settings and the home page without your knowledge. The sad thing is that the search engine may claim it to be legitimate, but in the real sense, it will display irrelevant results that promote sponsoring websites.

What is even worse is that some of the search results could be malicious, too. If you click on any of these sites, you are likely to expose your system to serious threats. You will have no one to blame because the search engine will not take responsibility.

Besides this, the Zupdater.exe virus is also capable of generating irritating pop-up ads, which will disturb your regular browsing session. If you click on any of these ads, you will be directed to potentially harmful websites. What many people may not know is that browsers hijackers, such as Zupdater.exe, may have spyware capabilities. What it means is that it will monitor your browsing habits and record your personal information, then sell it to third parties.

Snapshot of the Zupdater.exe Error

Type: Malware/Trojan

Danger level: It is high and can cause severe system damage relating to money or personal information losses.

Malware location: You can find the malicious version of this file in the C:\Users\(Your Username)\AppData\Local\Temp\IXP000.TMP folder

Original version: It relates to System Tools 2003

Source: Distribution often occurs through third-party networks and email spam.

How Did Zupdater.exe Enter Your System?

If you take extra vigilance to improve your overall virtual security, Zupdater.exe will not have a leeway into your computer. Otherwise, the Trojan will enter your system via trickery. So, get out of your mind any ingenious cyber-attack. This virus usually sneaks into your system through freeware you download from the web. Freeware includes all programs, add-ons, tools out there that you may download for free on the web.

Ultimately, the developers of these programs need money. So, they are motivated to add various software components without caring if they are safe or not. That is why you should be extra careful when downloading or installing free software from the web. These programs are often bundled with potentially unwanted programs. So, if you don’t uncheck the bundling option while installing a program, you have given leeway to viruses like Zupdater.exe. If you are not familiar with any setting, it is safer to disable them.

Many experts believe that the virus may also get into your system through malicious websites and emails you open.

How to Know When Zupdater.exe Has Entered Your System?

While the Zupdater.exe virus might not be recognizable at first, with time, it will reveal itself by showing some obvious signs. The most common one being the increased power of your CPU and GPU.

So, if you have not been running power-hungry programs in your device and your GPU or CPU powers seems to be on the rise, it could be a sign of a malware infection. And if you are suspicious that Zupdater.exe has infected your system, you need to check your device for other symptoms, including:

• Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Internet Explorer display a lot of intrusive advertisements where previously you rarely see.
• Your antivirus program detects an infection.
• Your web browser settings like search provider and homepage are hijacked.
• Your internet connection slows down.

Why is Zupdater.exe Dangerous?

The Zupdater.exe error is a harbinger for the bad news. Your device will no longer remain secure. If you identify any of the above common symptoms of the Zupdater.exe error, it is a good idea to avoid the infected computer. The reason is that you don’t know what things it does. Zupdater.exe can lead to loss of critical files or total system shutdown. Most likely, the virus will collect your valuable information and sell it to their partners. Moreover, they may hijack your accounts if they get hold of your account names and passwords.

Trojan horses are usually a feared cyber-threat and for a good reason. Zupdater.exe knows your system properties, where your files are, what apps you have on your computer, and your IP address. As mentioned earlier, it may have capabilities to install spyware and keylogging parasites to monitor more data points. So, if you suspect it has got into your system, don’t wait to see what it will unfold.

How to Remove Zupdater.exe?

Now that you have found out that your computer has the Zupdater.exe virus, your best option is to follow the steps below. As with deleting any other malicious software, adware or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), you need to try all the steps because if some trace of it remains in your system, it will continue to multiply and wreak havoc.

Initial Preparation

Here is what you should take into account before executing any malware removal process:

• Be sure to back up all your crucial files.
• Make sure to have this guide with you, so that you don’t miss any step.
• Finally, be patient because the removal may take a while.

Step 1: Reboot Your PC in Safe Mode

To resolve the Zupdater.exe error, we recommend that you isolate your PC in Safe Mode, then get rid of the file and rectify your computer entries. To reboot your computer in Safe Mode, follow the steps below:

• Press and hold down the Windows and R keys.
• As soon as the Run dialog box pops up, type msconfig into it and click OK.
• Now, navigate to the Boot tab and check the Safe boot option.
• After that, click Apply, and then OK.
• Alternatively, click on the Power icon if you are using Windows 10/11 computer.
• Choose the Restart option while holding down the Shift key.
• Under the Choose an option window, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
• It will give you a list of options. You should press the F5 button on the keyboard to select the Enable Safe Mode with Networking option.

Step 2: Cut out Zupdater.exe in Task Manager

1. Open the Task Manager by pressing the Control, Shift, and Escape keys at the same time.
2. Navigate to the Details tab and look for all malicious processes like the Zupdater.exe virus.
3. After that, right-click each of them and click End Process.

Step 3: Get Rid of Zupdater.exe Malicious Registries

First, you need to locate the Zupdater.exe startup location. Follow these steps to uncover hidden files:

1. Open any folder in your computer, and then click the Organize button.
2. Now, select Folder and Search Options.
3. Navigate to the View tab, then choose the Show hidden files and folders option.
4. Next, uncheck the Hide protected operating system files option.
5. After that, click Apply, then OK.

Once your Windows load s, clean the virus from the Windows Registry. Here is how:

1. Use the Windows + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog box.
2. Now, type regedit into it and click OK.
3. Next, press and hold down the Control + F keys, then type Zupdater.exe or name of the malicious file, which is usually found in %AppData%, %Local%, %Roaming%, %Temp%, or %SystemDrive%. In most cases, viruses set entries using random names like in the RunOnce and Run sub-keys.

Alternatively, navigate to these paths, depending on your OS version:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

1. After that, delete the display Name: [RANDOM].
2. When you are through with that, launch explore and navigate to the %appdata% folder. Remove all malicious executable files in this folder.

The next step is to clean your host files to prevent browser redirections. To do so:

1. Navigate to this path: %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host.
2. If your system is corrupted, you will see foreign IP addresses at the bottom. What you will is something like this:

Step 4: Delete Zupdater.exe from Your Browsers

Google Chrome

If you are a Chrome user, you can use the Reset Chrome functionality to revert your setting to defaults. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Launch Chrome, then look for the three horizontal dots button () and click on it.
2. Now, click on More Tools > Extensions.
3. Search for all potentially dangerous extensions and remove them.
4. Once again, open the Chrome menu by clicking on the three dots button, and click on Settings.
5. Scroll down to the bottom until you see the Advanced link.
6. Click on it and navigate to the Reset section.
7. Now, choose Reset setting to their original defaults.
8. When asked to confirm your choice, click Reset.

Internet Explorer

If you are using Internet Explorer, you can reset the browser settings through the following process:

1. Launch Internet Explorer, then click on the settings button.
2. Next, choose Internet Options, and then navigate to the Advanced tab.
3. After that, click on the Reset button.
4. IE will display the Reset Internet Explorer settings window.
5. Choose Delete personal settings.
6. Click the Reset button.
7. For the changes to take effect, you need to restart your computer.

Mozilla Firefox

If your Firefox is infected by the Zupdater.exe virus, use the Reset feature to revert to their default state:

1. Open Firebox on your PC, and then click on the three horizontal stripes to expand the drop-down menu.
2. Now, click on the Help button.
3. Navigate to the Troubleshooting Information section.
4. In the upper-right corner of this page, click on the Refresh Firefox button.
5. Confirm your action by clicking Refresh Firefox.

Step 5: Use System Restore

You can also get rid of the virus using the System Restore utility. Here is how:

1. Click on the Start button, then select the Power button.
2. Now, hold the Shift button and choose Restart.
3. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
4. When the Command Prompt window opens, type CD restore and hit Enter.
5. Also, type rstrui.exe and hit Enter.
6. Click Next in the window that appears, and then choose the most appropriate restore point. Most likely, you will want to choose a point before the infection took place.
7. Finally, click Next, then Yes.

Step 6: Reverse the Possible Damage Done by Zupdater.exe

The Zupdater.exe virus may change your DNS settings, which may break your internet connection. If that is the case, note down the current server addresses and follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and type control panel into the search box.
2. From the list of results, choose the Control Panel option.
3. Navigate to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
4. Next, choose Adapter Settings.
5. After that, right-click on your active internet connections, and then choose Properties.
6. Under the Networking tab, look for IPv4, then click on it and choose Properties.
7. Set both options to be automatic. Basically, you should set the first option to Obtain an IP address automatically, while the second one should be Obtain DNS server address automatically. And if you are part of a domain network, you can contact your Domain Administrator to look into these settings.

How to Get Rid of the Zupdater.exe Virus Automatically

Typically, this virus will compromise your whole system, meaning that it lets all doors open for other malicious programs. To ensure that you get rid of it completely, we recommend that you use a reliable Windows security solutions tool like Outbyte PC Repair to complement the manual removal process. There could be a temporary file or virus leftovers, which could cause further damage.

Closing Remarks

Now your computer should be free from the Zupdater.exe virus. We recommend that you run a scan of your system periodically using a quality anti-malware program. On top of this, you need to get rid of unfamiliar third-party applications whenever you spot them. If you want to stop the virus from remerging is to avoid sites that may be distributors of such Trojans.