ProWSetup Virus

ProWSetup is a Trojan‑horse malware engineered to look like a harmless Windows task or file compressor installer. It infiltrates unprotected systems—often through bundled downloads, cracked software, unsafe freeware, fake updates, or malware‑laden email attachments—and silently loads additional payloads that degrade system performance and compromise security.

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Threat Type Overview

Aspect	Details
Threat Type	Trojan Horse / Malware
Detection Names	Detected by various antimalware suites—including Norton, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender—as “ProWSetup Loader” or “ProWSetup.exe”
Symptoms of Infection	Persistent “ProWSetup.exe” installer pop‑ups even after deletion, high CPU usage, system slowdowns, frequent freezes
Damage	Acts as downloader/backdoor; may install more malware or disable security components
Distribution Methods	Bundled in cracked or pirated apps, fake installers, shady ad clicks, malicious attachments or emails
Danger Level	High – allows silent installation of further malicious payloads
Removal Tool	SpyHunter – download from SpyHunter removal tool

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Detailed Analysis: Threat Behavior

How I Got Infected

Users typically report encountering ProWSetup after installing cracked software, freeware from untrusted sources, or clicking fake update/install prompts bundled within ads or phishing emails. It often emerges uninvited as “ProWSetup.exe” or advertised as “ProW File Compressor” and can suddenly appear in the background, requesting to launch every hour or so ﹘ even when it isn’t installed in Programs list or flagged by antivirus programs.

What It Does

• Disguises itself as legitimate setup software
• Triggers persistent pop‑ups, even after deletion attempts
• Consumes CPU and system resources, causing slowdowns or freezes
• Acts as a Trojan loader, enabling further malware installation
• Evades detection by disguising itself in AppData and hidden folders.

Community reports emphasize its elusive nature:

“Unwanted ‘Prowsetup.exe’ installer keeps popping up … shows up in downloads folder and can’t be uninstalled”
Another noted:
“Malwarebytes does not detect anything … adware cleaner was also unable to permanently remove it”.

Should you be worried? Yes. Its persistence and ability to sideload other threats pose serious system and privacy risks.

Manual Trojan Malware Removal Guide

Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode

1. Restart your computer.
2. Before Windows starts, press the F8 key (or Shift + F8 on some systems).
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the Advanced Boot Options menu.
4. Press Enter to boot.

This prevents the Trojan from running and makes it easier to remove.

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Step 2: Identify and Stop Malicious Processes

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Processes tab (or Details in Windows 10/11).
3. Look for suspicious processes using high CPU or memory, or with unfamiliar names.
4. Right-click on the suspicious process and select Open File Location.
5. If the file is in a temporary or system folder and looks unfamiliar, it is likely malicious.
6. Right-click the process and choose End Task.
7. Delete the associated file in File Explorer.

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Step 3: Remove Trojan-Related Files and Folders

1. Press Win + R, type %temp%, and press Enter.
2. Delete all files in the Temp folder.
3. Also check these directories for unfamiliar or recently created files:
   • C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Local\Temp
   • C:\Windows\Temp
   • C:\Program Files (x86)
   • C:\ProgramData
   • C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Roaming
4. Delete suspicious files or folders.

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Step 4: Clean Trojan Malware from Registry

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the following paths:
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
3. Look for entries launching files from suspicious locations.
4. Right-click and delete any entries you don’t recognize.

Warning: Editing the registry can harm your system if done improperly. Proceed with caution.

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Step 5: Reset Browser Settings

Google Chrome

1. Go to Settings > Reset Settings.
2. Click Restore settings to their original defaults and confirm.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Go to Help > More Troubleshooting Information.
2. Click Refresh Firefox.

Microsoft Edge

1. Go to Settings > Reset settings.
2. Click Restore settings to their default values.

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Step 6: Run a Full Windows Defender Scan

1. Open Windows Security via Settings > Update & Security.
2. Click Virus & threat protection.
3. Choose Scan options, select Full scan, and click Scan now.

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Step 7: Update Windows and Installed Software

1. Press Win + I, go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and install all available updates.

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Automatic Trojan Removal Using SpyHunter

If manually removing the Trojan seems difficult or time-consuming, using SpyHunter is the recommended method. SpyHunter is an advanced anti-malware tool that detects and eliminates Trojan infections effectively.

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

Use the following official link to download SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter

For full instructions on how to install, follow this page: Official SpyHunter Download Instructions

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Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Locate the SpyHunter-Installer.exe file in your Downloads folder.
2. Double-click the installer to begin setup.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

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Step 3: Scan Your System

1. Open SpyHunter.
2. Click Start Scan Now.
3. Let the program detect all threats, including Trojan components.

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Step 4: Remove Detected Malware

1. After the scan, click Fix Threats.
2. SpyHunter will automatically quarantine and remove all identified malicious components.

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Step 5: Restart Your Computer

Restart your system to ensure all changes take effect and the threat is completely removed.

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Tips to Prevent Future Trojan Infections

• Avoid downloading pirated software or opening unknown email attachments.
• Only visit trusted websites and avoid clicking on suspicious ads or pop-ups.
• Use a real-time antivirus solution like SpyHunter for ongoing protection.
• Keep your operating system, browsers, and software up to date.

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Conclusion

ProWSetup is a high‑risk Trojan loader that deceives users and hides deeply within the system. It undermines performance and allows attackers to execute additional malware silently. The best course of action is to use a reputable removal tool like SpyHunter, which is designed to detect hidden or bundled threats effectively.