Help - Windows 7 keeps taking screnshots???

I got this weird problem where windows automatically creates a folder called screenshots and keeps taking screen shots every few seconds. Have no idea how to stop it, the folder can reach sizes of over 5gig before i realise what has happened. Is it a virus, or is there a way of turning it off? Even if i delete the folder it will create a new one an the whole thing starts over again.

just an update did a virus scan, showed up nothing. Couldn't find anything on google about my problem, althou i only searched for 10min as its getting late here.

Thanks

 

What programs do you have installed and where is the directory the screenshots are stored?

Might be easiest to post screenshots of the directory, installed program list, as well as active programs and services (in the task manager).

 

it could be a keylogger, some of them can save screenshots and then email them out at a later date.

 

hmm,

That is scary thinking about it like that!

This Microsoft Virus, spyware and malware scanner is excellent!

I highly recommend it.

 

I am using that anti virus and it doesnt pick up nothing.

 

oh no.

Might be worth seeking some expert advice with Hijack this.

I highly recommend this forum here.

Whilst obviously I am not dismissing anyone here or their level of expertise, I just know that its of major importance to try and stop it before it does anything wrong. I have myself found this forum to be a great help. The link is to the instructions and rules first. They will require you to install particular software first and post the log files they will quickly identify anything out of place.

Of course I am certain someone here can offer more constructive advice but in dire straits sometimes you have to do what you have to do, I just hope you find the solution soon. (hopefully here)

 

have a look at you processes and see if you can see something running that you dont know
also have the folder open and the next time a screen gets saved and see if you can see the cpu % go up on anything
there isnt anything in windows that will be doing it, so its something you have installed or a keylogger

 

This IS scary!!

Scanning with hijack this is a good idea or eventually malwarebytes.

But if I was you, to be 100% sure I am safe with my windows, I would format straight away my laptop...

 

You could always take the drive out and get a friend to use their machine to scan for virus' etc etc.

Its often difficult to detect a virus using the drive in question.

 

Such a software must not be necessarily be tagged as virus or malware.
In some countries, employers install such software on corporate computers.

Michael

 

lol, sounds like an extremely blatant keylogger. Although screenshots really can't do much besides look at the pron you do. Credits card I guess...but passwords no. In order for that keylogger to spy on people he's gonna have to look at trillions of photos he's getting from every customer.

 

I would seriously be considering changing all passwords to any account for anything from a friends computer or somewhere safe.

Prevention is the best solution.

 

If the OP really wants help here, then I think it's time some of the requested details get provided.

What is the exact path of the screenshots folder?
Screenshots of the full list of running processes?

You've got us throwing out random ideas, few of which can truly be productive until we have better detailed information.

 

you can only do so much for them.

 

Ill get some more info tonight sorry for the delay providing more insight on the problem. But from i gather it created a new folder called screenshots in the my picture directory. I have ran 2 anti viruses and both with no virus detection. Ill take a screen shot of the folder and processes tonight. Thx for all the help so far.

 

the best you can do is:

- Hit Windows Flag button + R key, it should open the "run" dialog
- Type MSCONFIG
- In the first panel select "Diagnostic Boot"

Reboot and see if that happens again. If it doesnt, repeat the steps and look into "Boot" tab, enable only trusted services and programs, like microsoft ones.

 

Another question. Do you have UAC disabled?

 

Here are some pics

Any ideas gurus?

 

Yes 10char

 

Shame on you. Bad dog!

I'm willing to bet that if UAC were enabled this would have been considerably less likely to happen.

It's my opinion that you should completely reinstall your OS and programs and keep UAC enabled. There's a way to make it "silent", where you won't have that popup happening every time you do something, but that it's still working for you.

 

Ive never used the UAC, its the first thing I disable after a install.

 

It can be very useful in preventing just such a problem that the OP is experiencing. I've got mine enabled, but it Elevates w/o Prompting, so I don't get the annoying pop-up all the time. It still, however, does not allow things to be written to or edited in Program Files and such w/o consent each time. When I got to make modifications to my Winamp skin, I have to pull the file in question out of program files, make the edit and move it back, since it will not let me edit/save w/in the folder itself. When I move it out and back, I'm prompted for permission.

I really can't see the OP's problem happening had he/she kept it enabled.

 

I see someone suggested microsoft security essentials.

There are 2 other microsoft tools you might want to try.

Microsoft Safety Scanner, doesn't require installing a new program
Microsoft Safety Scanner - Remove Spyware, Malware, Viruses Free

Microsoft System Sweeper
Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta | Microsoft Connect