Many people still trust third-party antivirus software more than the built-in Windows Security app when it comes to Windows security. However, these programs are prone to false positives, where the threat is merely a case of mistaken identity while the file is safe.

One of the typical cases of false positives that third-party antivirus detects is Win:32Bogent. It usually automatically removes the file or moves it into the quarantine folder. But is it not a threat, and should you ignore the alert?

This article will show you how to detect false positive alerts and the real threats concerning Win32:BogEnt in Windows 10.

What Is Win32:BogEnt?

Win32:BogEnt is a heuristic analysis tool of some popular antivirus suites that detects any unusual behavior of specific files found on the host system. Although there's nothing wrong with heuristic analysis performed by antivirus applications, this warning can sometimes appear when launching or updating legitimate applications like the Steam client.

Read more: Is It Safe to Buy Games From Steam?

While the antivirus software may have detected the file incorrectly, it is still best to investigate the issue thoroughly before dismissing the warning.

Is Win32:BogEnt a False Positive or Not?

The Win32:BogEnt is usually detected by third-party antivirus software and can be alarming when opening some apps like the Steam client. However, to determine whether the alert is a false positive or not, you must check your previous actions when the warning happens.

For example, if the alert happens when you're opening the Steam client, it is likely a false positive. You can blame this on how the client behaves and how your third-party antivirus performs the heuristic detection.

But if you aren't opening legitimate apps, your computer might be infected with an actual virus. When this happens, you must perform troubleshooting steps to ensure your system's safety.

Related: Downloaded a Suspicious File? Here's How to Check if It Contains Malware

How to Check and Remove Win:32Bogent in Windows 10

Below are some steps that can help you detect if Win32:BogEnt is a threat or not and how to remove it from your system:

Update Your Antivirus Program

If the Win:32Bogent alert happens whenever you open your Steam client, don't panic. You can try to update your third-party antivirus program and see if it stops sending out false positives. Next, check if your current antivirus software has any pending updates. If there is, install it. Most of the time, the new updates include fixes to resolve this issue.

Once the software is updated, reboot your computer, relaunch the Steam client, and see if you're still getting the alert. If you still do, continue on the next fix.

Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus

If you are still getting alerts after updating your antivirus program, uninstall it and consider replacing it with a better alternative like Malwarebytes. Here's how you can uninstall your current antivirus app:

  1. Press and hold the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Then, type appwiz.cpl and click OK to open the Programs and Features window.
  2. windows-run
    Once you're in the Programs and Features window, look for your antivirus software from the list of installed apps and right-click on it. Click Uninstall from the menu.
  3. uninstall-antivirus
    Follow the on-screen instructions to delete the program entirely. Then, after you've uninstalled your third-party antivirus software, run a full scan using the built-in Windows security program to find any other security issues in your system.

Important note: Removing your third-party antivirus can threaten your computer. When doing so, make sure to switch to Windows's security program immediately to keep your PC safe and protected.

Perform a Full Scan With Microsoft Defender

Now that the third-party software alerting you of Win32:BogEnt false positive is removed from your system, it's time to check for other vulnerabilities. Here's how:

  1. Open Settings by pressing and holding the Windows + I keys.
  2. Click Update & Security.
  3. update-security-settings
    From the left side menu, select Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
  4. windows-security-virus-threat
    Next, click the Scan options link found under the Quick Scan button.
  5. scan-options
    Choose Full Scan from the option and click Scan now. Wait for the scan to finish.
  6. full-scan
    You'll see the results upon completion.

Remember, a full scan will take longer than the usual quick scan, so be patient and wait until it's complete. The more files, folders, processes, and apps you have on your system, the longer the scan will take.

If Microsoft Defender fails to detect Win32:BogEnt after performing a full scan, your system is safe from any viruses and threats. But if it quarantines and removes any file, then it's truly a threat to your computer. You can check C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Quarantine to see the threat and delete it from your system.

Check if Win32:BogEnt File is a Threat

If the alert is triggered by other apps apart from Steam, scan the file for virus issues. You can also upload the quarantined file on a virus database like VirusTotal to check and identify the file for security threats.

  1. Open your antivirus software and go to the Quarantine tab. Look for the Win32:BogEnt file and note its path.
  2. After noting the file's location, go to the VirusTotal website.
  3. On the website, click Choose file and select the file from your system.
  4. Wait for VirusTotal to complete its scan and find information about the suspicious file.
  5. Next, analyze the final score and check if the file is a potential threat or not.

If VirusTotal can't detect any issue with the uploaded file, you're most likely looking at a false positive. But if it finds threats in it, you need to remove the file right away.

Boot Into Safe Mode

If the threat persists and you're finding it difficult to completely remove the infected file from your Windows 10 PC, try booting your system into Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, Windows will only run essential services, and you can remove any Trojan horse malware from the system as these processes will not lock the file. Follow the steps below:

  1. Go to settings by pressing and holding the Windows + I keys.
  2. On the Settings window, choose Update & Security from the menu.
  3. update-security-settings
    Next, click the Recovery option from the left menu. In the Advanced startup section, click the Restart Now button.
  4. recovery-restart
    Then, go to the Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings. Next, click the Restart button.
  5. After your computer restarts again, choose Enable Safe Mode from the list of options by pressing the 4 or F4 key. This will start your PC in Safe Mode.
  6. Once your computer is in Safe Mode, rerun Microsoft Defender to eradicate the virus. Alternatively, you can install Microsoft Safety Scanner. Once installed, you can run a scan to find the malware in your system and reverse any changes made by the threat.
  7. After removing the threat, restart your PC usually to resume its normal functions.

Security Should Always Be a Priority

Remember, never dismiss any alerts from your antivirus software, whether it's Win32:BogEnt or not. While some may be false positives, it is always best to investigate what causes the warning to ensure the safety of your system.

If you keep getting the Win32:BogEnt alert, make sure to follow all the steps provided above so you can determine if it's an actual threat to your computer. In addition, always prioritize your system's security to keep you and your device protected from malicious actors.