PC App Store has taken over my computer.

Following on from Wessie...Staffordshire Council run course...granted the one below is for beginners but it's a start and should lead to an improvers course or whatever they run?
I really wouldn't start having a go at various ways of 'see if that works' stuff. Get this issue sorted professionally ASAP then look at what you'd need in an emergency that is stored online/emails etc and make sure you have hard copies...again as Wessie suggests.

www.staffordshire.gov.uk

Beginners digital skills

Never used a computer before? Build up your confidence from a complete beginners level exploring switching on, logging in, using a mouse and keyboard and internet searching for shopping, information and everyday use as well as being able to access and read/send emails and safety around these.
www.staffordshire.gov.uk www.staffordshire.gov.uk
 
DrFarkoff said:
@King Rat If you right click on that "firefox button" on the taskbar Can you close it ??

What happens if you press the windows key and X on your keyboard ??

Do you get a menu "pop up" ??
Click to expand...

None of that changes anything. This is the only page that loads.
I have parcelled it up ready to go to the computer geeks workshop. Anna will take it over tomorrow. Until then I am stuck.
It has anti nasties shield on it, that still has everything in the green and 'no action needed'. It is a button under the task list bar, but it might be frozen and showing the situation beforehand. I don't know.

I have put a camping mat and sleeping bag in, just in case. My accommodation will have been emailed. I will ring and tell them the situation in the morning, they do it the old fashioned way of telling me over the phone and I write it down - worked without a hitch for 40 odd years before the age of confusers!
 
King Rat said:
It has anti nasties shield on it
Click to expand...

That PC store software would not be classified (or recognised by antivirus software) as "nasty".

I suspect you didn't speak with the real customer support and you have been guided to install software that doesn't exactly operate as virus or malware, but it has an intentionally deceiving user interface.
Without going too much into unnecessary detail on the software: Wessie's suggestion is golden. Learning a very basic understanding on how to operate the computer would help greatly, and it's not as hard as it sounds.
Good luck.
 
er-minio said:
That PC store software would not be classified (or recognised by antivirus software) as "nasty".

I suspect you didn't speak with the real customer support and you have been guided to install software that doesn't exactly operate as virus or malware, but it has an intentionally deceiving user interface.
Without going too much into unnecessary detail on the software: Wessie's suggestion is golden. Learning a very basic understanding on how to operate the computer would help greatly, and it's not as hard as it sounds.
Good luck.
Click to expand...

I can't work the edit things on my phone, like bold the sentences I want - your italics. I don't really understand what that means.

Computer is turned off and packed away ready to go to someone who knows about this stuff.

I can't work the iplayer on the telly. Literally.
 
Yeah but to install anything King Rat still needs to close the existing pop-up and that seems a persistent bugger.

Good day King Rat, are you online? Thought I might see if I can help you.
 
King Rat said:
I don't really understand what that means.
Click to expand...

It's a software you probably were guided to install. It is nor malicious or harmful to the computer per se, so it does not trigger the alerts of any antivirus or anti-malware software that you might already have on your computer, but it is designed/built in a way to "force" you to give credit card details to close that window. That stuff is really threading the needle.

In real world terms: imagine you willingly decided to join a time-share sales meeting. Same story. Scammy tecniques, but not illegal and you decided to go yourself (or someone pushed you to do it).

Anyway: go for Wessie's suggested route.
 
All good advice. Are you replying using your phone? If so it is easier to work your emails than use the Web. I would ask whoever you are getting to look at your machine for you to get your phone set up too.

Down here in Kent the County Council run a service called Compaid that travel around the county and set up at community hubs or events helping with the sort of problems you are experiencing, have a look to see if your local authority offers a similar service. You have already solved the main problem with personal IT skills in admitting your need for help and education. I often see at the community events I volunteer for, people coming in all sad and worried, but with a bit of coaxing and encouragement, a nice cup of tea and some biscuits, they have their problem solved and leave beaming

One thing not mentioned yet is if someone asks to help you online don't whatever you do let them take control remotely unless you really trust they are who they say they are!


local.kent.gov.uk

Kent County Council - Local Directories | Compaid Digital Skills Training Centre

Compaid's Digital Skills Training Centre in Paddock Wood offers a supportive environment for older, disabled, and vulnerable adults to confidently and safely learn to use computers, other devices, and the internet. Through 1-to-1 sessions with dedicated staff and volunteers, clients can gain...
local.kent.gov.uk local.kent.gov.uk
 
LOLGEOFF said:
All good advice. Are you replying using your phone? If so it is easier to work your emails than use the Web. I would ask whoever you are getting to look at your machine for you to get your phone set up too.

Down here in Kent the County Council run a service called Compaid that travel around the county and set up at community hubs or events helping with the sort of problems you are experiencing, have a look to see if your local authority offers a similar service. You have already solved the main problem with personal IT skills in admitting your need for help and education. I often see at the community events I volunteer for, people coming in all sad and worried, but with a bit of coaxing and encouragement, a nice cup of tea and some biscuits, they have their problem solved and leave beaming

One thing not mentioned yet is if someone asks to help you online don't whatever you do let them take control remotely unless you really trust they are who they say they are!


local.kent.gov.uk

Kent County Council - Local Directories | Compaid Digital Skills Training Centre

Compaid's Digital Skills Training Centre in Paddock Wood offers a supportive environment for older, disabled, and vulnerable adults to confidently and safely learn to use computers, other devices, and the internet. Through 1-to-1 sessions with dedicated staff and volunteers, clients can gain...
local.kent.gov.uk local.kent.gov.uk
Click to expand...

Thank you everyone. I have given up fiddling, shut down and put it in its case for Anna to take to the experts.
 
Just for info, try Ctrl+Shift+Esc, it will open task manager directly without passing by the change user etc page

Maybe that will bypass the spoofed page you’re getting and allow you to stop the process and run bit defender or whatever
 
I fear you searched for "PC App Store" and downloaded something from a 3rd party website.

A quick search brought me this on reddit, seems its quite common.
the best way would be to press start menu and search for Microsoft Store without browsing to a 3rd part website.

Bit late now though.
In my opinion Innovv support have a lot to answer for with their advice which lead to this.

Innovv don't do software, so they were likely asking you to download someone elses software.
Your windows file explorer should read/format SD cards just fine on its own.
 
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Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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