Windows 10: Pre-built PC came with pirated version of Windows cracked with malware, how do i perform a...

I bought a pre-built PC from a store and i decided to run out of paranoia a virus scan when i turned the PC on for the first time, to my surprise it found a SEVERE threat, it was something relating to KMSpico which i had never heard of in my life. After googling i found that it is a program that allows you to crack windows and other Microsoft apps, and it seems thats how my Windows version has been "activated". I scanned with Windows Defender and removed the threat and i scanned again including a full scan and it appeared again and i removed it again. I ran a quick scan and the quick scan reported no new threats. I downloaded MalwareBytes and i scanned my system with the "Scan for rootkits" option on, and no threats were found. I scanned one more time with a full scan using Windows Defender and it concluded that no threats were found. I am scared and if possible i want to completly remove this app, i know that if i do this my copy of Windows will not work but thats fine, i want to do a complete fresh install of Windows and pay for an actual license, i do not trust this app even if 2 trustworthy antiviruses say that there are no threats in my PC. I know how to perform a brand new Windows install but i want to make sure that if i do so KMSpico will be uninstalled without a trace remaining. Do i do a simple full Windows reinstall or do i have to do something else as well? If i did not mention this already, there are still files from KMSpico left over in my PC, they are on Program files/KMSpico, that folder is 26MB and has a "uninstall" button but i obviously did not click it, along with some other files. I even scanned the folder specifically using Windows Defender and Malwarebytes and they didnt find any threats on it. Do i need to manually remove this folder and then perform the fresh Windows install? Can someone help me?

:)

 

pirated version of windows

They don't.

Look up "reduced functionality"

And pirated versions are normally include malware.

 

difference btw cracked and genuine windows

In a nutshell some sites suggest it is illegal while others state it isn’t. It does seem to be a grey area.

There isn’t any differences between a cracked version & a genuine version of Windows when comparing the features as far as I know.

Are you looking for some specific answer as to any differences other than the answers I’ve given?

These are the points from the Vulcan post link:

1. You Could Face Large Fines, Or Even Jail-Time

2. Viruses And Malware Are Just The Start

The name “pirate” itself is a warning bell, because many programmes come with backdoors built in that lets the pirate group responsible for the cracked programme to get up to all sorts of mischief.

For example, ransomware is a form of malware that basically locks your computer system up until you pay a ransom fee.

It’s probably wise for you to back all your work online in case this happens to you. Or better yet, just skip the pirated software altogether.

3. You’re Killing The Industry, And That’s Just Going To Hurt You

4. You Can’t Update Your Software, And You’ll Live With Bugs

5. Software Malfunctions, And You Deal With The Fallout

 

Downgrading from a pirated Windows OS

You've already mangled your existing operating system by upgrading to a pirated version of Windows 10. Use your Windows 8.1 disk to do a new installation of your original Windows 8.1 operating system. If you have saved the product key from your original Windows 8.1 operating system, then use that product key again to install Windows 8.1.

You can downgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 8, by following the instructions in the answers to this question: How can I downgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 8?. Why not downgrade the pirated Windows 10 to Windows 8 instead and then change the product key and upgrade legally back to Windows 10? There are two reasons for not doing it this way:

1. Your new Windows 10 can inherit problems from the pirated version of Windows 10.
   
2. It's a two-step process to install Windows 8.1 and upgrade to Windows 10 instead of a four-step cumulative history: Windows 8.1 -> pirated Windows 10 -> downgrade pirated Windows 10 to Windows 8.1 -> upgrade to Windows 10. Even though the two-step method doesn't save any time, it still eliminates two unnecessary steps.