What is Malware HackTool:Win32/Keygen? How to remove?

Is this a serious threat and can you eliminate it easily? In this article, TipsMake.com will explain this malware in more detail, how it infects your device, and what you can do to remove it.

How does HackTool:Win32/Keygen infect the device?

Recent years have seen a rapid proliferation of software crackers and fake key generators. Using these tools, users can unethically activate licenses for third-party software that will usually cost them a decent amount of money.

Since these tools are freely available on third-party websites and many Internet users are constantly looking for ways to get premium software for free, hackers use them to spread malware.

As a result, scammers combine malware with a key generator. When users download and install those programs on their devices, victims unwittingly allow viruses to enter the system. Sadly, the whole incident happened with the consent of the victim. The HackTool:Win32/Keygen virus also gets inside the victim's device with the help of similar fake key generators.

What makes HackTool:Win32/Keygen a serious threat?

HackTool:Win32/Keygen is classified by Microsoft Defender as a dangerous program with a serious threat level.

This malware poses a serious threat due to its ability to automatically generate executable files in the key generator or software you have activated. Files of this type are difficult to locate and the infection will remain on your device until these files are deleted.

Although Microsoft Defender typically isolates this threat, limiting its ability to spread further, it cannot automatically remove it. Therefore, it can be found on the device every time you scan. The only way to completely remove malware from your device is to do it manually.

How to remove HackTool:Win32/Keygen virus from device

If you want to effectively remove HackTool:Win32/Keygen virus from your device, you should perform the following steps in sequence in the correct order:

1. First, delete the infected files

In most cases, malware infects some files that Windows Defender detects and warns the user about. In the Protection History , where the detected threat appears, we can see the name and location of the infected files. Therefore, you should first delete the infected files. Follow these steps to do that:

1. Search for Windows Security in Windows Search and open the Windows Security application.

2. Next, click Protection history in the left sidebar.

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3. View the HackTool:Win32/Keygen threat dialog.

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4. Record the location where the threat was detected.

5. Paste it into File Explorer.

6. Delete the infected file.

Most of the files infected with HackTool:Win32/Keygen are located in the Windows temporary folder. Therefore, it is recommended to delete all temporary files in Windows, even those that are not infected.

2. Uninstall the culprit software

Next, you should delete any key generator or crack software that you have used to activate the premium features of the software. Follow these steps to do that:

1. In the Windows search box, type "Control Panel".

2. Open the Control Panel application.

3. Navigate to Programs and Features .

4. Find the key generation software you just installed.

5. When found, right click on it and select Uninstall.

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3. Remove suspicious files from the main software

Activating cracked software or a fake key generator will change the software files to make them appear as if the software has been activated. Depending on the crack you are using, it may add some malicious files to the software folder for the premium features to work. So just deleting the key generator software won't help much.

To remove malware, you must delete these additional malicious files from the main software directory. Since most malicious files are hidden in folders, you must unhide them first. To do this, click the View tab , expand the Show menu , and click Hidden items .

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Then, follow these steps to remove malicious files from recently activated software:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Open the installation folder for the crack software or key generator you used.

3. Go through its files and folders to see if you see anything suspicious.

4. If you notice an additional or suspicious file, search the web for the filename to see if it's part of legitimate software or a suspicious file to be removed.

5. Delete the file from your device if it is not part of the main software.

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Delete these files and run the Microsoft Defender scan again. Then check the Protection History to see if the threat still exists. If so, then you should use a third-party malware removal tool to remove the malware.

4. Take advantage of a third-party antivirus engine

When manually removing key generation software and suspicious files from the main software does not remove the virus, you should scan for viruses with a third-party antivirus tool. If you haven't already, download one from TipsMake's best antivirus list.

Then, install the software and allow it to complete the scan on your device and delete any suspicious files it finds. After completing the scan with a dedicated malware removal tool, your device should be free of malware.

What if your anti-virus program can't detect and remove malware and malicious files remain hidden on your device? If so, you should delete the software that you activated with the key generator.

5. Uninstall the software yourself

Anti-virus software will probably delete suspicious files and you won't need to delete the main software that you activated with crack software or malicious key generation tool. It should only be considered a last resort if the problem persists.

The main software can be removed from Control Panel > Programs and Features . Right click on the software and select Uninstall. Next, go to its installation folder on the device, and then delete any remaining files and folders.

Marvin Fry

Update 17 February 2023