Is this malware?

[DannyBoii]

I apologize if this isn't the appropriate thread for this but I don't even know how to describe this for google to search for it.

It shows up on boot, but has no X to close it with. I can close it with alt+f4 but comes back on reboot. I don't really want to reformat, but I guess I will if I have to. I just looked into my task manager, but it doesn't show up on the list of apps that are running so I can only assume it's a background process? IDK. Thanks in advance.
 

[Eigenvektor]

Have you checked the startup tab in task manager? 

 

Try also opening msconfig and checking the startup items there.

[DannyBoii]

3 minutes ago, Eigenvektor said:

Have you checked the startup tab in task manager? 

 

Try also opening msconfig and checking the startup items there.

Nothing suspicious in startup. Double checking msconfig now but the startup tab there send me to taskmanager lol I'm on Windows 11

 

[Dedayog]

24 minutes ago, DannyBoii said:

I apologize if this isn't the appropriate thread for this but I don't even know how to describe this for google to search for it.

It shows up on boot, but has no X to close it with. I can close it with alt+f4 but comes back on reboot. I don't really want to reformat, but I guess I will if I have to. I just looked into my task manager, but it doesn't show up on the list of apps that are running so I can only assume it's a background process? IDK. Thanks in advance.
 

What's all the things in your bottom right corner?  Are you loading a launcher or other app?

 

All these things...

 

[Eigenvektor]

15 minutes ago, DannyBoii said:

Nothing suspicious in startup. Double checking msconfig now but the startup tab there send me to taskmanager lol I'm on Windows 11

Ok, not familiar with Windows 11 yet

 

There's other places like the registry, check this post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/yzzzwq/comment/l4z1061/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

 

[DannyBoii]

11 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

What's all the things in your bottom right corner?  Are you loading a launcher or other app?

 

All these things...

 

those are just apps running on my PC, it's not listed in there. this felt more like an edge window, but, i don't use that.

[Pusbucket]

So what have you done lately concerning Half-Life?

I looks like a news feed focused on Half-Life.

could be something from Steam or one of the other game apps you have running?

[DannyBoii]

3 minutes ago, jmwhite33 said:

So what have you done lately concerning Half-Life?

I looks like a news feed focused on Half-Life.

could be something from Steam or one of the other game apps you have running?

I thought it might be too, but, I bought half life like... 10 years ago? Never really played it. I use steam but i've never seen feeds like this from steam. IDK.

[Dedayog]

1 hour ago, DannyBoii said:

those are just apps running on my PC, it's not listed in there. this felt more like an edge window, but, i don't use that.

Right, but those apps control pop ups and other interactions.

 

You must have installed a browser addon, some AI whatever, or one of your apps is responding to a stimulus.... otherwise you have malware but it's an odd one.  Most bring you to a ransomware page or something.

 

Did you run a scan?

[DannyBoii]

8 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

Right, but those apps control pop ups and other interactions.

 

You must have installed a browser addon, some AI whatever, or one of your apps is responding to a stimulus.... otherwise you have malware but it's an odd one.  Most bring you to a ransomware page or something.

 

Did you run a scan?

No, usually I don't have issues with malware. and even if I do, by the time I get any, I may as well have just reformatted anyway. I appreciate your insight, if it gets any worse i'll reformat!