What is XLSTOTEXT.EXE?

Windows Defender is blocking access to folders containing XLS(X) files. The notification does not give me an exact location of this file, only C:\Window...xlstotext.exe. A Google search does not turn up any specifics on this EXE. Obviously, it sounds like a converter program but I am not actively running any such program and do not know why it would be running in the background. Any ideas?

Running Win 10 Pro, Office 365, Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender. 

Thanks. Bill

Welcome to BC...

Does sound very suspicious. It may be malware attempting to exploit one of your programs. Malware such as

often seen in email attachments and hacked websites or malicious websites.

Use the programs below to clean, remove adware and remove malware.

If you have scanned using Bit Defender you can skip the Eset scan. I suggest you disable Bit Defender while performing

the scans.

Use CCleaner to remove Temporary files, program caches, cookies, logs, etc. Use the Default settings. No need to use the

Registry Cleaning Tool...risky. Pay close attention while installing and UNcheck offers of Google Chrome and Avast.

After install, open CCleaner and run by clicking on the Run Cleaner button in the bottom right corner.

CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

Malwarebytes - Clean Mode

• Download and install the free version of Malwarebytes
  Note: If you have Malwarebytes already installed, you don't need to install it again. Simply start from the next bullet point
• Once Malwarebytes is installed, launch it and let it update its database. You might have to click on the little arrow by Scan Status in the middle right pane for it to do so
• Once the database update is complete, click on the Scan tab, then select the Threat Scan button and click on Start Scan
• Let the scan run, the time required to complete the scan depends of your system and computer specs
• Once the scan is complete, make sure that the first checkbox at the top is checked (which will automatically check every detected item), then click on the Quarantine Selected button
  • If it asks you to restart your computer to complete the removal, do so
• Click on Export Summary after the deletion (in the bottom-left corner) and select Copy to Clipboard. Paste the content in your next reply

If you are unable to run a scan using MBAM:

Follow the instructions in the thread below. Make sure to download the MBAR linked in it. Let me know if you're not able to launch it and run a scan.
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/198907-requested-resource-is-in-use-error-unable-to-start-malwarebytes/

Download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your desktop. (compatible with Windows 7, 8 and 10)

• Close all open programs and internet browsers.
• Double click on adwcleaner.exe to run the tool.
• Click on Scan button.
• When the scan has finished click on Clean button.
• Your computer will be rebooted automatically. A text file will open after the restart.
• Please post the contents of that logfile with your next reply.
• You can find the logfile at C:\AdwCleaner[S1].txt as well.

Download and run the FREE online scanner from Free Virus Scan | Online Virus Scan from ESET | ESET

• Download esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe and save it to your Desktop
• Double click the icon
• Check YES, I accept the Terms of Use
• Click the Start button
• Accept any security warnings from your browser
• Click Advanced settings
• Check the following items

Enable detection of potentially unwanted applications
Remove found threats
Scan archives
Scan for potentially unsafe applications
Enable Anti-Stealth technology

• Click Start
• ESET will then download updates and begin scanning your computer
• If no threats are found simply click Uninstall application on close and hit Finish
• If threats are found click List of found threats
• Click Export to text file
• Save the file on your Desktop as ESET.txt
• Click Back
• Review the list of entries and if there are any you want to keep stop and copy/paste the ESET.txt report in your reply for my review
• If you do not wish to keep any of the entries check Uninstall application on close and Delete quarantined files
• Click Finish
• Close the ESET Online Scanner window
• Copy and paste the contents of ESET.txt in your reply

Edited by buddy215, 31 May 2018 - 03:05 PM.