How to Remove the W32 Pinfi Virus

The W32.Pinfi virus is a malicious software program that changes the settings on your Web browser and prevents you from opening certain executable files. If your computer has become infected with the virus, it could spread to all of the other computers attached to your home or office network. The W32.Pinfi virus can be removed by using virus-removal software, but you will need to make a few changes to your system to make sure it stays gone for good.

Instructions

1. Download and install the AVG virus-removal program, which is capable of deleting the W32.Pinfi virus.

2. 

   Click the "Start" button. Right click on the "My Computer" icon, then click on the "Properties" option.

3. 

   Click on the link labeled "System Protection," which will be located at the left side of the window. Navigate to the "System Restore" tab. Click the radio button at the bottom of the window labeled "Turn Off the System Restore Feature."

4. Select the "OK" button, then close down the window. Return to the "Start" menu and choose the "Restart" option. Press the "F8" key on your keyboard when you see the logo of your computer's manufacturer on the screen.

5. 

   Scroll down through the new set of options. Highlight the "Start in Safe Mode" option, then press "Enter" to finish restarting the computer.

6. 

   Open the virus-removal program you downloaded. Update the program's virus definitions by clicking the "Update Now" button. Wait for the update to completely finish downloading, then click on "Computer Scanner."

7. Click on the "Scan Entire Computer" option. Select the "Remove Problems" option once the virus scan has finished running. Close down the anti-virus program, then return to the "Start" menu.

8. 

   Access the "Start" menu's "Search" area. Type "regedit" into the "Search" box, then hit the "Enter" key to start the search. Double click the icon that shows up in the search results.

9. 

   Click on the folder at the top of the registry editor labeled "HKEY_CURRENT_USER." Open the subfolders named "Software," "Microsoft," "Windows," "CurrentVersion" and "Explorer."

10. Look through the list of registry values on the right side of the window. Locate the value named "PINF." Right click on it and select "Delete." Restart your computer to finish removing the W32.Pinf Virus.

Tips & Warnings

• Turning off the "System Restore" point makes it harder for your computer to become infected by the W32.Pinfi virus in the future. If you leave the feature turned on, your computer will create a new restore point as soon as the anti-virus program starts running. If you need to load that restore point in the future, the computer will be infected with the virus.

• You can easily mess up your computer's operating system by deleting the wrong registry entry. It's a good idea to create a backup copy of each of the files or programs you need most before making any changes in the registry.

References

• Removing the W32.Pinfi Virus

Resources

• AVG Virus-Removal Program