Click No whenever bunnie.exe asks to make changes, then disable its startup entry, uninstall the associated program, and run Microsoft Defender Offline to remove any persistent components.
1. Do not approve the prompt
The message is a User Account Control (UAC) request for administrator-level access. Select No each time. Do not disable UAC; Microsoft does not recommend the Never notify setting because it reduces security protection.^1^
2. Stop it from opening at startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Select Startup apps.
- Look for Bunnie,
bunnie.exe, or another unfamiliar entry installed around the time this started. - Select it, then choose Disable.
- Restart the laptop and continue denying any prompt from it.
Also check the Startup folder:
- Right-click Start and select Run.
- Enter
shell:startup, then press Enter. - Delete only a shortcut clearly associated with Bunnie.
- Repeat with
shell:common startup.
Windows documents both Task Manager and these Startup folders as locations from which applications can launch automatically.^2^
3. Uninstall the program
Removing the parent program is safer than deleting only the .exe, which may leave startup components behind.
- Open Start → Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Search for Bunnie.
- Also inspect unfamiliar programs installed shortly before the problem began.
- Select More (…) → Uninstall, then follow the prompts.
- If it is absent there, open Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features and check again.^3^
Do not manually delete unfamiliar files from Windows, System32, or other system folders, and do not change TrustedInstaller permissions.
4. Run an offline malware scan
Save all open work because this scan restarts the laptop.
- Open Windows Security.
- Select Virus & threat protection.
- Select Scan options.
- Choose Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
- Select Scan now.
- After Windows restarts and finishes scanning, open Windows Security → Protection history to review what was removed or quarantined.
The offline scan runs without loading normal Windows, making persistent malware more difficult to hide or defend itself.^4^
If it still returns
Run the offline scan again only if the same threat is being redetected. A recurring component may be reinstalling it after startup.^5^
If the laptop remains controlled, files are encrypted, or Windows Security cannot run:
- Disconnect the laptop from Wi-Fi.
- From another trusted device, change passwords for important accounts used on the laptop.
- Back up personal documents, but avoid backing up unknown
.exe, installer, or script files. - Use Windows recovery/reset or obtain hands-on help from a trusted computer technician.
References