Windows
Black screen with fake Windows Defender virus warning
The computer showed a black screen and a warning that claimed Windows Defender had disabled the machine because of a virus. The technician closed the pop-up, reopened Chrome without restoring the previous pages, and confirmed security software showed no threats.
Killed once by someone from XL.net, on 2026-10-08.
Affects
Apps
- Chrome
What you see
- Screen goes black and a warning claims 'Windows Defender has temporarily disable the computer due to a virus on your computer'.
Why it happens
Suspected Suspected scareware pop-up impersonating Windows Defender; no threats were found when security software was checked.
When it shows up
A computer suddenly shows a black screen with a Windows Defender-style virus warning and the browser session reopens to prior pages.
You are in this case if:
- The message 'Windows Defender has temporarily disable the computer due to a virus on your computer' appears.
- Chrome opens with previously visited pages or the same warning page after restart.
1 fix below
The steps that killed it
The steps are behind a quick check
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Someone from XL.net killed this on a Windows computer on 2026-10-08. It is written up from that one repair, so it cites no outside page.