KMSPico Virus

Also Known As: KMSPico malware
Type: Trojan
Damage level: Severe

KMSPico virus removal guide

What is KMSPico?

Developed by cyber criminals, KMSPico is a tool that allows users to activate their Windows Operating Systems free of charge. KMS (Key Management System) is essentially technology that allows activation of certain services via a local network. KMS allows activation without connecting to Microsoft servers and is typically used by companies that have many computers connected to a local network/server. KMSPico bypasses the entire process and simply replaces the existing key with a new one. By generating a new key, the KMSPico tool postpones Windows activation (typically for 180 days).

KMSPico malware

KMSPico is not a legitimate tool and is developed by cyber criminals, rather than the Microsoft corporation. Therefore, using this tool violates Windows Operating System terms and conditions. In addition, it is often distributed by dubious websites containing malicious content. These sites present infectious executables as KMSPico. Rather than running KMSPico features, users are often misled into downloading and running malware. In addition, KMSPico's developers encourage users to disable any installed anti-virus applications. Although they claim that the tool is virus-free, this is a dubious claim - requests to disable anti-spyware suites indicate potential distribution of malware. For these reasons, the KMSPico tool should never be used. Windows and MS Office should be activated only with genuine keys provided by Microsoft. 

As mentioned above, malicious websites often proliferate malware. There are many potential infections - cryptocurrency miners, adware, browser hijackers, and other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Malicious cryptcurrency miners essentially misuse system resources to mine cryptocurrencies without users' consent. The presence of such applications significantly reduces system performance. For more information on dubious cryptocurrency miners, click here. Adware-type applications are essentially designed to deliver intrusive advertisements (coupons, banners, pop-ups, and and so on). To achieve this, adware developers employ tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, the ads often conceal visited website content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience. In addition, intrusive advertisements often redirect to malicious websites and/or execute scripts that download/install malware. Therefore, even a single click might result in high-risk computer infections. Browser hijackers infiltrate web browsers (typically, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox) and promote fake search engines. For instance, these hijackers assign the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine browser settings to specific URLs. Furthermore, they reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, users are unable to return browsers to their previous states and are forced to visit rogue sites. Adware, browser hijackers, and other potentially unwanted programs are also likely to gather various sensitive information. The list of collected data typically includes (but is not limited to) keystrokes, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and Internet service providers (ISPs). Collected information often includes private details that criminals sell to third parties. These people generate revenue by misusing personal details. Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Potentially unwanted programs should be uninstalled immediately. Some PUPs are hidden, and users are unable to remove them manually. Therefore, we strongly advise you to scan your system with a legitimate anti-virus/anti-spyware suite to remove all PUPs and any remnants.

Threat Summary:
Name KMSPico malware
Threat Type Trojan, Password stealing virus, Banking malware, Spyware
Detection Names (KMSpico v.10.2.0.zip) Avast (Win32:PUP-gen [PUP]), BitDefender (Application.Hacktool.KMSAuto.N), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/HackTool.IdleKMS.E Potentially Unsafe), Kaspersky (HackTool.MSIL.KMSAuto.dh), Full List (VirusTotal)
Symptoms Trojans are designed to stealthily infiltrate victim's computer and remain silent thus no particular symptoms are clearly visible on an infected machine.
Malware Removal (Windows)

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As with KMSPico, some PUPs offer various useful features, however, they are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Claims to provide 'useful features' are merely attempts to trick users to install or prevent them from uninstalling software. Rather than providing any real value, PUPs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did KMSPico infiltrate my computer?

KMSPico has an official download website, however, it is often distributed via malicious websites. In fact, these third party download websites only proliferate KMSPico - they either name malicious applications as KMSPico or develop unofficial downloaders/installers that "bundle" rogue software. "Bundling" is stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs together with regular software/apps. Developers hide "bundled" programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Many users rush these procedures and skip steps. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections. KMSPico's developers request users to disable anti-virus applications and, thus, KMSPico might also "bundle" dubious programs.

How to avoid installation of malware?

The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, be cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Use only legitimate applications that are not developed by cyber criminals. In addition, download your software from official sources only and, preferably, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers are monetized using the "bundling" method - do not use these tools. Furthermore, cyber criminals invest many resources into intrusive ad design - most appear legitimate, and determining if these ads originate from a visited (legitimate) website is virtually impossible. Once clicked, however, they redirect to dubious sites (gambling, survey, pornography, and so on). Display of these ads indicates a potential computer infection. If you encounter them, immediately remove all suspicious apps/browser plug-ins and scan the entire system with a legitimate anti-virus suite. If you believe that your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Screenshot of a malicious KMSPico installer setup:

Malicious KMSPico installer setup

Screenshot of the malicious KMSPico activator:

Malicious KMSPico activator

Detections of the malicious KMSPico activator in VirusTotal:

Detections of the malicious KMSPico activator in VirusTotal

Screenshot of a website used to promote a variant of KMSPico which injects system with Buer Loader and AsyncRAT:

Website promoting KMSPico which injects Buer Loader and AsyncRAT into the system


Quick menu:

How to remove malware manually?

Manual malware removal is a complicated task, usually it's better to let antivirus or anti-malware programs do it automatically. To remove this malware we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows. If you wish to remove malware manually, the first step is to identify the name of the malware that you are trying to remove. Here's an example of a suspicious program running on user's computer:

malicious process running on user's computer sample

If you checked the list of programs running on your computer, for example using task manager and identified a program that looks suspicious you should continue with these steps:

manual malware removal step 1 Download a program called Autoruns. This program shows auto-start applications, Registry and file system locations:

screenshot of autoruns application

manual malware removal step 2Restart your computer into Safe Mode:


Safe Mode with Networking



Windows 8 Safe Mode with networking



windows 10 safe mode with networking



manual malware removal step 3Extract the downloaded archive and run Autoruns.exe file.

extract autoruns.zip and run autoruns.exe

manual malware removal step 4In the Autoruns application click "Options" at the top and uncheck "Hide Empty Locations" and "Hide Windows Entries" options. After this procedure click the "Refresh" icon.


manual malware removal step 5Check the list provided by Autoruns application and locate the malware file that you want to eliminate.

You should write down it full path and name. Note that some malware hides their process names under legitimate Windows process names. At this stage it's very important to avoid removing system files. After you locate he suspicious program you want to remove right click your mouse over it's name and choose "Delete"

locate the malware file you want to remove

After removing the malware through Autoruns application (this ensures that the malware won't run automatically on the next system startup) you should search for the malware name on your computer. Be sure to enable hidden files and folders before proceeding. If you find the file of the malware be sure to remove it.

searching for malware file on your computer

Reboot your computer in normal mode. Following these steps should help remove any malware from your computer. Note that manual threat removal requires advanced computer skills, it's recommended to leave malware removal to antivirus and anti-malware programs. These steps might not work with advanced malware infections. As always it's better to avoid getting infected that try to remove malware afterwards. To keep your computer safe be sure to install latest operating system updates and use antivirus software.

To be sure your computer is free of malware infections we recommend scanning it with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.




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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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KMSPico malware QR code
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