People are being infected with malware as a result of fake Windows 11 installers.

 

People are being infected with malware as a result of fake Windows 11 installers.

It's strange to have to say this, but if you're going to install Windows 11, you should do so from official sources. According to Kaspersky, people who use alternative methods to obtain Windows 11 are also receiving malware.

86307 windows 11 build 21996.1 x64 + activator.exe is a malicious file. Based on the filename, one might assume that it contains Windows 11 build 21996.1, as well as something that will automatically activate Windows for you. It weighs in at 1.75GB, which may seem reasonable to some. It appears to be a normal installer at first, and then there is a second installer that claims to be a download manager. If you accept the included nonsense agreement, you will receive a slew of malware.

That is just one example; there are many more. It is also not surprising. Windows 11 is malware-free and available for testing to Windows Insiders on the Dev channel. However, Microsoft has significantly increased the system requirements for the new OS; you must have an Intel eighth-generation or AMD Zen 2 processor or newer. As a result, people with older computers are looking for alternative ways to install Windows 11.

It's not impossible if you're a little tech savvy; we even wrote a guide. You can also do it with reliable sources. However, using something like UUP Dump to create your ISO takes time. Some people are looking for pre-made Windows 11 ISOs, and it's obvious that some of them have been tainted with malware.

Malware can range from adware to Trojan viruses. Adware isn't usually dangerous. It's simply malware designed to infiltrate your computer with advertisements. Viruses can be more of a problem, and they can be more difficult to remove if your machine is infected.

Windows Defender does a good job of removing this junk. The only issue is that if you're downloading Windows 11 from a shady source, you're probably already prepared to ignore the dozen or so warnings telling you not to install it.

It's straightforward. If you want Windows 11, simply enroll your PC in the Windows Insider Program. If you truly require an ISO, simply wait a short time and Microsoft will make them available. If you can't wait, you can use UUP Dump. If your PC isn't supported, remember that Windows 10 is still supported until late 2025.