What is Hxtsr.exe Virus? (A Complete Removal Guide)

Hidden Executable To Sync Remote Servers (HxTsr.exe) is a legal Windows Operating Systems file contained in Microsoft. This file is actually a part of the process of Microsoft Office 2016 associated with Outlook.

But the name may be used to conceal malicious programs by computer criminals. A while with this name, therefore, is classified as a  virus detection engine threat.

What is HxTsr.exe?

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Generally, this file is found in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\windows.communication apps(…). HxTsr.exe. And if you found this elsewhere in OS, then it is possible that you might be dealing with a non-legitimate HxTsr.exe file/process.  

Many cases in which Web criminals are disguising their harmful data/program with the names of the legitimate system files. Sometimes they conceal Trojans who can steal sensitive info, record keystrokes, transfer viruses, etc.

In case, you suspect such files which are not part of OS then remove it. We would advise you to first check its location, name and process in Task Manager, later carry out the process of scanning virus in your pc with the help install anti-virus. 

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Moreover, note that these virus detection programs do not always provide you with accurate results. They often detect legal files as threats, which may lead to the removal of some important files.

However, most developers solved this issue at the point. 

How Did Hxtsr.exe Infiltrate My Computer?

 

In most circumstances, spam programs, unofficial application activation software, trojans, fake app upgrade softwares unreliable software installation platforms spread malware.

Spam programs are used via emails/files linked to malicious applications. The following files might be PDF or Microsoft Office documents, RAR, Zip and other executable files, such as JavaScript Files, .exe, and etc. 

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Such emails will include web links that also enable such files to be downloaded. When it is accessed, computers are infected with numerous high-risk malware through download and activation.

Unofficial software installation tools are said to permit users to avoid licensed system activation, therefore, computers are also corrupted through the downloading and installing malware.

Trojans are also harmful programs sometimes used for the replication of several viruses. They create an infection in a chain form when installed in the system.

They can also be replicated via P2P (Peer-to-Peer) network which includes; torrent client servers, eMULE, free software distribution websites, open websites for file hosting and other similar applications enables further means of replicating or proliferating files. 

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They are used by computer criminals to create legal, harmful, masquerading data. They use these networks to install and activate files that corrupt computers when opened.

Fake software upgrades are used to manipulate errors and flaws in old applications or, rather than upgrading and correcting installed apps, to download and install malware.

How To Avoid Installation Of Malware?

No Web links or attachments should be viewed or clicked on that come in an anonymous email from unidentified, doubtful addresses. 

However, we highly suggest that you do not open their contents without getting them protected, such emails are sometimes posed as formal and significant.

Moreover, you should download or open software/files from official secured websites and avoid unreliable or other websites as mentioned before.

Using functions or tools provided by official developers should be updated to installed programs or operating systems. If such programs are paid, then they should be installed properly.

Because often malware installation is caused by using unofficial software/application ( cracking tools ). Also these files are illegitimate. 

It is therefore important that you should install and allow a trustworthy antivirus or anti-spyware program.  These kinds of programs are ideal for detecting or removing threats that may infect and harm your system. 

Following the above instruction will help you greatly in keeping the malware away from your system and prevent them from installing in your system automatically. 

How to Remove Malware Manually?

Removing malware manually is a very complicated task, it is better that you use antivirus or antispyware software to get this job done.

However, if you still wish to remove malware manually, the first thing you have to do is to know the name of the virus that you want to be removed.   

By using Task Manager, you can check the list of programs running on your system at the moment and you can identify a program that looks suspicious, then you can handle it with the following steps. 

Step #1: Remove Internet Connection

Removal of internet connection will prohibit the further distribution of the data to the malware channels or malware from spreading.

When you find that your system has been corrupted, it is important and better to stay offline as much as you could.

And if you wish to download the removal software, disconnect when the downloading is down and do not connect until you are confident that the malware has been removed. 

Step #2: Enter Safe Mode

Safe mode is a way to start the system in order to make checks and only require minimal applications to load the program you need to launch.

This would discourage the malware if it is scheduled to load automatically and make it easy to delete it.

For MAC:

For Windows:

Step #3: Avoid Logging into Account during Malware Removal Process

Keep in mind that you don’t view the password through the copy-paste function or by clicking on the show password icon, if you find your system being corrupted.

Keylogger viruses are a regular malware element that runs invisibly and catches your keystrokes.

Do not sign in to sensitive accounts when your computer is infected, to prevent sharing any confidential personal details.

Step #4: Check Task Manager

Once you have suspected the malicious update or application then you must close all the applications running at the moment. You can do so by using Task Manager.

It will show you the programs and applications running on your system. This lets you monitor them and check how they affect your system’s performance and activity. 

Malware will take over the computer resources and you can search the CPU tab and figure out the most troublesome applications.

When a suspect application can be detected, you should close it by using your task manager and then delete it from your system settings (Windows) and disable the program from the Finder menu (Mac).

Step: #5: Extract the downloaded archive and run the Autoruns.exe file

Click “Options” at the top of the Autoruns program and uncheck the buttons “Hide empty locations” and “Hide Window entries.” Refresh the system, when the process is done. 

Step #6: Checking the List Provided

Then you will check the list provided by the autorun and find the malware that you want to remove. You should enter its full location and name to find the exact malware.

Keep in mind that many malware disguise process names as legal Windows process names. At this point, you must avoid removing system files.

After you find the suspected malware you wish to remove, right-click over its name and select “DELETE”

When you remove the malware via Autoruns application, it will make sure that malware does not run automatically on the next startup, you should check for the malware name on your PC.

Before proceeding, ensure that you have enabled hidden files and folders. Remover the file when you find it. 

Step #7: Getting Everything Done

Now, restart your computer in Normal Mode. With the above mentioned step, you should be able to remove any malware from your computer.

You should also keep in mind that removing a threat manually requires high computer skills. If you are not a regular computer user and do not possess such skills, we would suggest you to use antivirus or antispyware programs. 

The following steps might not be effective with advanced malware. However, it is better to avoid infection then try to remove malware from the system.

To be on the safest side, you should install the latest system updates and use antivirus programs.

Conclusion! 

Lastly, we would advise you to use the following method if you are aware of all the computer applications because if you are not aware then may delete some important system files and programs, which may lead to Windows failure.

And you don’t need to worry if you are not familiar with such applications, there are many trustworthy antivirus software available on the internet that may help you in solving this issue.

However, we have tried our best to facilitate you with all the basic and important steps that you would need to remove the HxTsr.exe virus manually. 

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