Uninst.exe in taskbar windows 8.1

Nutzhanglow

Reputable
Sep 15, 2014
13
0
4,510
Hello, just did a Refresh of windows (wipe everything) on my pc, Now in the task bar under customize there is an icon named "uninst.exe" anyone have an idea if this could be a threat? or what it maybe? also when selecting show icon and notifications it says " this notification icon is not currently active"
 
If you right click on it, a menu with different options (depending on the software's function) will come up, and among them there will be another "uninst.exe". Right click that option too, then select "Properties" and see what that executable is linked to.
You can find info about that into:
- the "General" tab, under the "Path" field.
- the "Link" tab, under "Destination", "From" and "Comment" fields.
- the "Details" tab, under the "Folder path" field.
If it's something you're sure you or the system don't use anymore, you can safely follow the path up to the file and delete it, otherwise just un-pin it from the Taskbar.

I honestly don't know what Win8.1 does to format drives and wipe the previous OS, but it might be something that was not fully removed during that "wipe".
Substantially, it's got two options: either overwrite all content with dummy content (low level format, rarely used, HDD/SSD killer), or tell itself that space is empty by cleaning HDD content index records, overwriting anything only when strictly needed (high level format, mostly used, barely noticeable effect), which can VERY RARELY leave directly visible traces of the old system.
 
Im actually not able to right click the icon, also if it helps its not in the task bar itself it in the customizable menu of the task bar. For example if you wanted to check your anti virus you would click the little up arrow then a small box with say the six icons would appear. Underneath of those icons is a button or link that says customize, thats where the Icon appears.
 
Oh, it's in the tray bar then...kinda weird...
Could you please download HijackThis and run it?

You just have to perform a scan (takes less than a minute), save a logfile and post it here. Most probably it's just something left behind as an automatic executable, but it could be something...unwanted.
 
it says for some reason denied write access to the host file. if any hijacked domains are in this file Hijackthis may not be able to fix this, if this happens you need to fix the file yourself. to do this click start run and type, notpad C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\ect\host
 
after, i scanned-----Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.5
Scan saved at 10:11:42 PM, on 9/16/2014
Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.02.1008)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v11.0 (11.00.9600.17278)


Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Razer\Synapse\RzSynapse.exe
C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastui.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology\IAStorIcon.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\RADS\system\rads_user_kernel.exe
C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\RADS\projects\lol_launcher\releases\0.0.0.222\deploy\LoLLauncher.exe
C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\RADS\projects\lol_patcher\releases\0.0.0.6\deploy\LoLPatcher.exe
C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\RADS\projects\lol_air_client\releases\0.0.1.109\deploy\LolClient.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\Downloads\HijackThis.exe
C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\RADS\solutions\lol_game_client_sln\releases\0.0.1.55\deploy\League of Legends.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=255141
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=255141
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=255141
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: avast! Online Security - {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Razer Synapse] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Razer\Synapse\RzSynapse.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AvastUI.exe] "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastUI.exe" /nogui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HDAudDeck] C:\Program Files (x86)\VIA\VIAudioi\VDeck\VDeck.exe -r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\amd64\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
O11 - Options group: [ACCELERATED_GRAPHICS] Accelerated graphics
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AMD External Events Utility - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\atiesrxx.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology (IAStorDataMgrSvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology\IAStorDataMgrSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ieetwcollectorres.dll,-1000 (IEEtwCollectorService) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\IEEtwCollector.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: MBAMScheduler - Malwarebytes Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware\mbamscheduler.exe
O23 - Service: MBAMService - Malwarebytes Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Razer Wizard Service (RzWizardService) - Razer Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Razer\RzWizard\RzWizardService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Skype Updater (SkypeUpdate) - Skype Technologies - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Updater\Updater.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @oem30.inf,%ViaKaraokeSrv.SvcDesc%;VIA Karaoke digital mixer Service (VIAKaraokeService) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\viakaraokesrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpAsDesc.dll,-320 (WdNisSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Defender\NisSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpAsDesc.dll,-310 (WinDefend) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 7432 bytes
 
The hosts file is write-protected by default, you need to manually remove the read-only attribute to be able to write there. Usually, no (legit) software requires a line into that file, and no software can create it automatically if the file is left read-only or unless the software owned System-level control over your computer...

The log shows nothing wrong (from what I can notice at least). Either you didn't "just wipe" your system or something really was left behind, however...I've spotted LoL among the lines. There are other softwares as well, but they fall into the installable category (Razer Synapse and other services, Avast, Malwarebytes although you already got Avast, etc), so they're ok. In any case, just exactly when does it say host file write access was denied? What were you doing when it said that?
 
when i first clicked scan on hijackthis, that's when this message popped up--- for some reason denied write access to the host file. if any hijacked domains are in this file Hijackthis may not be able to fix this, if this happens you need to fix the file yourself. to do this click start run and type, notpad C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\ect\host
 
safe mode--------Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.5
Scan saved at 3:32:11 AM, on 9/17/2014
Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.03.1408)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v11.0 (11.00.9600.17278)


Boot mode: Safe mode with network support

Running processes:
C:\Users\Brandon\Downloads\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=255141
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=255141
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=255141
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: avast! Online Security - {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Razer Synapse] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Razer\Synapse\RzSynapse.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AvastUI.exe] "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastUI.exe" /nogui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HDAudDeck] C:\Program Files (x86)\VIA\VIAudioi\VDeck\VDeck.exe -r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\amd64\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
O11 - Options group: [ACCELERATED_GRAPHICS] Accelerated graphics
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AMD External Events Utility - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\atiesrxx.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology (IAStorDataMgrSvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology\IAStorDataMgrSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ieetwcollectorres.dll,-1000 (IEEtwCollectorService) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\IEEtwCollector.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: MBAMScheduler - Malwarebytes Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware\mbamscheduler.exe
O23 - Service: MBAMService - Malwarebytes Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Razer Wizard Service (RzWizardService) - Razer Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Razer\RzWizard\RzWizardService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Skype Updater (SkypeUpdate) - Skype Technologies - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Updater\Updater.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @oem30.inf,%ViaKaraokeSrv.SvcDesc%;VIA Karaoke digital mixer Service (VIAKaraokeService) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\viakaraokesrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpAsDesc.dll,-320 (WdNisSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Defender\NisSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpAsDesc.dll,-310 (WinDefend) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 6440 bytes
 
Well, it should only be write-protected, not read-protected too...you managed to get the logfile anyways, so it could've just been Avast/Malwarebytes locking access to it until identifying HJT as safe.

I probably should've asked this sooner, sorry for that...
When you click on that little up arrow, a menu with a different number of icons will pop up. You should see an option on its bottom part stating "Customize" or something like that (my OS is not using English language).

You already said it's set for an "Inactive" icon and that's OK, but under its name on the left there should be a brief description of it written in a silver-colored italic font. Does it say anything except writing "uninst.exe" again?
 
Can't see it clearly, but the last option vaguely remembers Pando Media Booster...
If I'm right, it's amusing HJT doesn't find it.

I believe there were some news a month ago regarding PMB's removal, which was used to download the client's data up until now and which was substituted by an in-house solution. If I'm right, you can safely ignore it, or let it run and uninstall pmb entirely.
 
also just found this onhttp://www.shouldiremoveit.com/Pando-Media-Booster-6090-program.aspx
Take a look at the last file that pando can install------------------------- Files installed by Pando Media Booster
Program executable: pmb.exe
Name: Pando Media Booster
Path: C:\Program Files\pando networks\media booster\pmb.exe
MD5: 5b3994a919bdef4bfe192c05a5b3d2a1
Additional files:
npPandoWebPlugin.dll - Pando Web Plugin
BugSplatRc.dll (by BugSplat) - BugSplatRc Dynamic Link Library (Crash reporting module, BugSplatRc)
nss3.dll (by Mozilla Foundation) - Network Security Services (NSS Base Library)
nssckbi.dll (by Mozilla Foundation) - NSS Builtin Trusted Root CAs
plds4.dll - Netscape Portable Runtime (PLDS Library)
smime3.dll - NSS S/MIME Library
softokn3.dll - NSS PKCS #11 Library
ssl3.dll - NSS SSL Library
uninst.exe
 
Still too pixelated, you should take a screenshot rather than a phone shot 😛 but yeah, it looks like PMB all right.

In any case, uninst.exe is installed by many softwares, and is just a common file name for the uninstaller executable.
HJT also sees no trace of it, so it's been uninstalled already. You can safely hide the notification IMO.