What is Autohotkey.exe? | Guide to Remove Autohotkey Virus

AutoHotKey Virus Injects Malign Code To Boot Section

If your Windows computer is trapped due to AutoHotkey virus and you are looking for a removal guide, then you reached the right place. With the solutions given in this guide, your computer will become free from the annoying troubles caused by this virus.

But, for this, you have to follow all the given instructions carefully after reading this article.

AutoHotkey is a free, open-source scripting language for Microsoft Windows that provides easy shortcut keys that allow users to automate the repetitive task.

Unfortunately, AutoHotkey now is a trending technology that helps in building malware! And AutoHotkey virus is a highly infectious virus that secretly gets inside the computer to cause annoyance.

What is Autohotkey.exe?

Autohotkey.exe is an executable file developed for the Windows Operating System. The most common AutoHotkey executable file errors that appear on a Windows computer are:

• "Autohotkey.exe Application Error."
• "Autohotkey.exe is not a valid Win32 application."
• "Autohotkey.exe has encountered a problem and needed to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."
• "Cannot find autohotkey.exe."
• "Autohotkey.exe not found."
• "Error starting program: autohotkey.exe."
• "Autohotkey.exe is not running."
• "Autohotkey.exe failed."
• "Faulting Application Path: autohotkey.exe.

These error messages appear during program installation and running of an AutoHotkey.exe-related software program. If you can keep track of errors, then it could be the most critical piece of information in troubleshooting the problems.

However, if you can’t understand the errors related to Autohotkey virus, you should remove the virus with Malware Crusher.

Is AutoHotkey Safe To Download?

Being a simple syntax of scripting language, it acts as a powerful system that interacts with local system files. The genuine source of downloading AutoHotkey is from the windows original sites.

But, if you download it from some other website or it gets installed unknowingly with some other software or program, then the computer is at risk because of AutoHotkey that came into the system via Bundling.

As the threat activates, it alters DNS configuration, HOST file and finally makes your computer unresponsive. Since AutoHotkey is used to build malware, some consider this threat as AutoHotkey malware.

Also, Read: Remove and Uninstall Ground.exe [Virus] Windows Process

Is AutoHotkey a Virus?

• AutoHotkey is used to launch programs and cyberattackers use it to inject malicious codes into our computers.
• It imitates keystrokes and mouse inputs to manipulate windows, files and folders.
• It creates unwanted shortcuts, duplicate files and consumes a lot of space on the hard disk.
• It corrupts the entries to the registry editors and also hampers the vital components of the hardware.
• It is capable of disabling firewall settings and dropping other malware, trojans and viruses into the system.
• It causes BSOD errors that affect the normal functioning of the computer.

The annoyances are putting your computer at great risk. Even more, the greater number of Autohotkey based malware is distributing cryptocurrency miners and hijackers. It is getting more massive day by day in terms of complexity and has quickly established itself as a tool to develop malware.

If this infection remains for a longer duration, then the issues in your computer will increase more. Thus, it is advised to remove AutoHotkey virus as early as possible.

To remove AutoHotkey virus, you can follow our removal guides;

• Automatic Removal Method
• Manual Removal Method

In the manual guide, our first focus is on eliminating and uninstalling malicious extensions, files and programs from your system.

Since the manual guide is a stepwise removal process, it could go longer and take much time. Additionally, doesn’t create an automatic firewall against the trojan.

On the other hand, the automatic method is much more comfortable. For this, we will learn about an anti-malware tool named Malware Crusher, download it and let it work alone to save your computer.

Automatically Prevent AutoHotkey Virus From Entering into Your System

An automatic scan of anti-malware tool find out the presence of AutoHotkey virus and related corrupted files. Malware Crusher is one such tool that has different threat removal capabilities like;

• It’s real-time protection feature, performs a deep scan, detects malicious software and infected files within your system.
• The Quarantine feature of the tool removes all infected files from your computer in addition to keeping a record of all deleted malicious program.
• Malware Crusher becomes fiercer in detecting keylogging, remote connections and saving your session data from being recorded.
• Malware Crusher also creates a shield against Ransomware, Adware, Malware, Browser Hijackers, Viruses, Extensions and Trojans from entering into your system.
• Malware Crusher tirelessly visits all domains, URLs and web pages to secure your online presence from fraudulent entities.
• The 24X7 online protective shield works as an anti-exploit technology and blocks the ransomware component before they hold files as a hostage.

The automatic method Malware Crusher is the best option to easily remove (uninstall) AutoHotkey and other installed malicious codes, programs from your computer.

However, for the ease, you can also follow the below manual removal guide for general purposes like uninstalling programs, ending task manager process, clearing browsing history etc. before you use the antimalware removal tool.

Also, Read: How To Remove Epicnet Virus From Your Computer Easily?

Manually Remove Malicious AutoHotkey.exe Files

• Press Ctrl + Shift + ESC together to open Task Manager. Look for suspicious files, right click on it and click End Task.
• Now, press Windows key + R to open RUN box window. Type appwiz.cpl on it, this opens Programs and Features window.
• Select each suspicious program and uninstall it one by one. Once the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer and again redirect yourself to Programs and Features window to check whether the application is present or not.
• When convinced, press Windows key + R to open RUN box window. Type regedit on it, hit OK and then click Yes.
• Go through HKEY, HKLM, etc. files and find all suspicious files and delete them.
• You can also delete malicious extensions from your browsers.
  
  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox

  1. Click on the Customize and control menu icon at the top right corner of Google Chrome.

  

  2. Select "More tools" from the menu.

  

  3. Select "Extensions" from the side menu.

  

  4. Click the remove button next to the extension you wish to remove.

  

  5. It will confirm again, click “remove” and the extension is finally out of the system.

  

  Now that we have successfully eliminated the malicious browser extension, we need to create a robust firewall to avoid any such thing that makes our system and privacy vulnerable to various online threats.

  1. Click on the “menu” button at the top right corner.

  

  2. Select “Add-ons” from the menu.

  

  3. Click the “Remove” button next to the extension you wish to get rid of.

  

  Now that we have successfully eliminated the malicious browser extension, we need to create a robust firewall to avoid any such thing that makes our system and privacy vulnerable to various online threats.

FAQs on AutoHotkey Virus

Why use AutoHotkey?

Being a scripting language, it is used in software automation to automate repetitive tasks in the Windows application. Many users use AutoHotkey for text expansion, remapping, scripting and shortcuts to mouse clicks.

Where is AutoHotkey.ahk located?

.AHK files is a file extension of AutoHotkey script file. The file is located in C:ProgramFiles/AutoHotkey. The file is portable and a user can change the location of a .ahk file. Since it is a code, you can also open the file in Notepad to see the code.

Can AutoHotkey run in the background?

If you want to run AutoHotkey scripts in the background, then you will have to run the code purposely for automating the task.

What is AutoHotkey.Exe files?

It is a compiled script which is used to download AutoHotkey in computers. It is a setup file that installs AHK(AutoHotkey). On the other hand, cyber attackers are using another file named AutoHotkey.exe that installs virus and malware into the computer.

Can I get banned for AutoHotkey?

No, Autohokey is the shortcut key that easily triggers the action and is aimed at providing easy and fast macro creation. However, if you use HotKeys to create malware, then there are high chances of legal actions against you.

Should I download AutoHotkey?

It gives you the freedom to automate any desktop task. It is friendly, fast and free with open source code and thus you once should give a try to it.

Tips to Prevent virus and malware from Infecting Your System: