Fake Windows Virus Notification in Chrome or Edge – What It Is & How to Stop It

Have you had a fake Windows virus notification pop up while using Chrome or Edge? It probably looked serious – red text, flashing alerts, even a loud alarm – warning you that your PC is “infected”.

Don’t panic. These alerts are fake, and they’re designed to scare you into calling fake support numbers or downloading malware. In this guide, we’ll show you how to spot them, remove them, and avoid them in future.

What Is a Fake Windows Virus Notification?

A fake Windows virus notification is a scam message that appears in your web browser. It’s made to look like a real alert from Microsoft or Windows Defender, but it’s not genuine.

These scams often say:

• “Your PC is infected with 5 viruses!”
• “Immediate action required!”
• “Call Microsoft now!”

The goal is to trick you into calling a fake number, paying for useless ‘support’, or installing harmful software.

Why Am I Seeing This Fake Virus Warning?

These fake alerts can appear when:

• You click a malicious ad or suspicious website
• You have a bad browser extension installed
• Your browser redirects to a scam site

They’re common and can happen to anyone — even careful users.

What to Do When You See a Fake Virus Notification

1. Don’t click anything.
2. Don’t call any phone numbers. Microsoft will never ask you to call them like this.
3. Close the tab or browser. If it won’t close:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
   • End the browser task

When you reopen your browser, don’t restore the previous session.

How to Stop Fake Windows Virus Notifications

1. Clear Browser Data

In Chrome or Edge, go to:

Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data

Clear cookies, cache, and browsing history.

2. Remove Dodgy Extensions

Visit:

• chrome://extensions/
• edge://extensions/

Remove anything unfamiliar or suspicious.

3. Install an Ad Blocker

Use a trusted one like uBlock Origin to prevent scam ads.

4. Run a Malware Scan

We recommend:

• Windows Security (built into Windows 10/11)
• Malwarebytes Free

How to Tell if It’s a Real or Fake Virus Warning

Here’s how to spot a scam:

Still unsure? Read Microsoft’s guide on tech support scams.

How to Protect Yourself from Future Fake Virus Alerts

• Keep your browser and extensions up to date
• Don’t click suspicious links or pop-ups
• Use antivirus software
• Block pop-ups and ads using trusted tools
• Be cautious of websites that don’t look trustworthy

Final Thoughts

If you see a fake Windows virus notification, don’t panic. Just close the tab, avoid clicking anything, and clean up your browser. It’s a scam — not a real virus. Follow the steps above to prevent it happening again.

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