How do I get rid of adware pc store prevent me from using my laptop

Howard Schwartz 5 Reputation points
2026-04-11T20:28:02.01+00:00

Somehow malware considered the worst possible has activated at start up and taken over the start screen. I have tried everything to get rid of it but no success. The malware is captioned PC APP STORE.

It looks legitimate, but having not been born yesterday, It smells of corruption since it wants my credit card data. AI listed steps to take to get rid of it but the screen goes blank or a loop is activated.

This is a revolting mess. H

Surface | Surface Laptop | Display and screen

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  1. AI answer

    2026-04-11T20:28:15.99+00:00

    Follow these steps in order to remove the “PC APP STORE” adware and regain control of the laptop.

    1. Force-close the fake screen
    • Press Ctrl + Alt + Del.
    • Select Task Manager.
    • In Processes, select the web browser or suspicious app that is filling the screen and choose End task.
    • If that fails, hold the power button until the device turns off, then turn it back on.
    1. Uninstall the adware or deceptive program
    • Sign in normally if possible.
    • Go to Start > Settings > Apps.
    • In Installed apps (or Apps & features), look for:
      • “PC APP STORE” or anything recently installed that is unfamiliar or related.
    • Select it and choose Uninstall.
    • Restart the device after uninstalling. If it does not appear in the list:
      • Open File Explorer.
      • Go to C:\Program Files and (if present) C:\Program Files (x86).
      • Look for a folder with the same name as the unwanted program.
      • Open that folder and run the uninstall file if present (for example Uninst.exe, Uninstall, or Uninstall <ProgramName>), then follow the prompts.
      • Do not delete the folder manually if there is no uninstall file, as this can damage Windows.
    1. Run a full malware scan
    • Open Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security.
    • Select Virus & threat protection.
    • Choose Scan options and run a Full scan.
    • Follow any recommendations to quarantine or remove threats.
    1. If scammers had remote access or asked for card details If any remote-control tool was installed or card details were entered:
    • Uninstall any remote-access apps scammers asked to install (for example, anything you do not recognize) via Settings > Apps.
    • Consider resetting the device if problems persist or if the adware keeps returning. See Recovery options in Windows for reset/restore guidance.
    • Run another full scan with Windows Security after reset/cleanup.
    • Apply all Windows Updates: Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
    • Change passwords for important accounts and contact the card provider to contest any fraudulent charges and replace the card.
    1. If malware has deeply damaged the system If the adware keeps coming back or Windows behaves abnormally even after removal and scans:
    • Back up important files to an external drive or cloud storage.
    • Use Windows Reset/Restore/Reinstall options to return the system to a clean state, then reinstall apps from trusted sources only.
    1. Prevent this in future
    • Do not call phone numbers or enter payment details shown in pop‑ups.
    • Keep Tamper Protection and Microsoft Defender Antivirus enabled.
    • Keep Windows and apps updated.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. S.Sengupta 33,091 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-04-12T02:06:45.86+00:00

    Reset Windows (Keep Your Files). This is the cleanest and fastest guaranteed fix for stubborn malware like “PC App Store,” especially when:

    • It hijacks startup
    • Causes blank screens / loops
    • Blocks normal removal

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  3. Elijah Rhodes 0 Reputation points
    2026-06-09T13:04:11.31+00:00

    I know it's probably too late for this answer to be useful for OP, but I just had to walk my uncle through getting rid of this over facetime and it was a doozie. So the app takes over the window completely and won't let anything sit in front of it. So it allows you to open task manager, but task manager opens in a window behind the "PC Store". However, it does allow keyboard controls to go to task manager. So, using the search in windows, or via Ctr+Alt+Delet open task manager. You will see it has opened in the taskbar. Click on the task manager app icon in the taskbar as if to bring it up to the front (this won't work because of the "pc store", but it makes sure your keystrokes go to task manager and not another window). Once you've got it open, hover over the task manager app icon in the taskbar, then move your mouse up slightly to hover over its window preview. This will look like you've managed to bring it to the front, but if you stop hovering, it will go away. SO, while hovering over the window preview, use the arrow keys to scroll through the list of running apps, and when you find and highlight the "pc store" task, click delete. This should end the process and it should let you have some control back. Now, you can go to settings, search for "remove apps or programs" and find the "pc app store" and uninstall it. This seems to have worked for my uncle so far. You should definitely do a malware scan like is mentioned in the other answers to double check. This method should also work for any other addware similar to this that takes over the window.

    Hope this helps someone!

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