Panda usb vaccine not working in 24H2

Hazel123 · Jul 5, 2025

So one of my favourite little programs no longer works in 24H2. It was removed during upgrade. I reinstalled it again and it is installed but doesn't show up or work. Uninstalled it and tried reinstalling it in Windows 8 compatibility mode. That didn't work either. Now I can't even fully uninstall it!

I guess I am OCD about usb stick viruses and probably addicted to this little program, but I've been using it for donkeys years and don't like being without it!

Any suggestions? There doesn't seem to be an alternative. There used to be a bitdefender one (which wasn't as good) and one called Ninja something, but I think they are obsolete.

https://www.pandasecurity.com/en/mediacenter/Panda-USB-and-AutoRun-Vaccine/?ref=mc_research

QuicktellPro · Jul 5, 2025

Malwarebytes protects USB drives. There's a free version and a Premium version. I have the latter, so I am not sure whether the free version includes such protection. Worth looking into though.

Hazel123 · Jul 5, 2025

QuicktellPro said:
Malwarebytes protects USB drives. There's a free version and a Premium version. I have the latter, so I am not sure whether the free version includes such protection. Worth looking into though.

Thanks - just had a look. It says it does detect and quarantine things that launch but doesn't actually block them. You can scan usb's with MWB or antivirus but the panda vaccine stops any virus from launching from a usb in the first place. I started using it after a particularly nasty trojan jumped from a seemingly dead used laptop, onto the usb stick and then jumped straight onto the next computer it was plugged into. My antivirus did detect and quarantine it, but not immediately. And by then it could have done some damage (the particularly trojan could also jump to networks and spread through other computers online). There are still some out there in the wild on old computers! As I tend to buy second-hand ones, I have found it a very reassuring and useful little program!

QuicktellPro · Jul 5, 2025

Have you tried Windows 7 or Windows 10 compatibility modes?

Hazel123 · Jul 5, 2025

Just tried Windows XP compatibility mode and that didn't work. It doesn't give me the option for Windows 10 compatibility mode - it only goes up as far as Windows 8. I could try Windows 7 compatibility mode though.

Hazel123 · Jul 5, 2025

Just checking I'm doing the compatibility mode thing right

So before installing, I've been right clicking on the programme, selecting compatibility mode and ticking the one I want - apply - ok. And then clicking to install and running through the install process - is that right? Once installed I can't find it! Although it is in programs x86 in C drive.

QuicktellPro · Jul 5, 2025

You should be looking in C:\Program Files (x86). The folder is likely to be named Panda software or something similar. If not, look up who owns them on their website or in Wikipedia.

You need to find the executable in order to access its properties because that's where you will change the compatibility settings, and don't forget to check the option to run as administrator. Incidentally, Windows 10 is not offered, probably because it is the same as Windows 7.

Hazel123 · Jul 5, 2025

Thanks. No that didn't work either. I guess I'll just have to keep a spare laptop, disconnected from the internet, with Windows 10 on it. And use that for revaccinating usb sticks (formatting them removes the "vaccination" and normally they are automatically revaccinated as soon as they are inserted in the laptop with the program on - or immediately after formatting them) - which will be very inconvenient.

QuicktellPro · Jul 5, 2025

Or reinstall 23H2 and wait until November for 25H2 to be rolled-out.

Hazel123 · Jul 5, 2025

QuicktellPro said:
Or reinstall 23H2 and wait until November for 25H2 to be rolled-out.

Good idea. I can't see Microsoft making an exception for a little program like that in 25H2 somehow though

But it's possible.

Fabler2 · Jul 5, 2025

Alternative you could try : Download Ninja Pendisk - MajorGeeks

Right click the .exe file and select 'run as administrator'. Expand the sys tray hidden icons and right click ninjapendisk and select 'add to startup, that's it.
Note it doesn't install but runs on startup.

You can always delete the .exe file if you don't like it.

cheaterslick · Jul 5, 2025

I've always made it a point never to plug strange USB sticks into my PC, and that the only USB sticks I use are the ones that I (and only I) use on my own.

Hazel123 · Jul 5, 2025

Fabler2 said:
Alternative you could try : Download Ninja Pendisk - MajorGeeks

Right click the .exe file and select 'run as administrator'. Double click once. Expand the sys tray hidden icons and right click ninjapendisk and select 'add to startup, that's it.
Note it doesn't install but runs on startup.

View attachment 138483

View attachment 138484

You can always delete the .exe file if you don't like it.

Thank you. That was the one I saw mentioned but wasn't sure if that one was still supported either

I'll try it.

Hazel123 · Jul 5, 2025

cheaterslick said:
I've always made it a point never to plug strange USB sticks into my PC, and that the only USB sticks I use are the ones that I (and only I) use on my own.

Mine are my own too

But I have a lot and I sometimes tinker and buy used laptops and use usb's to wipe the drives and install software. Although I used a usb with Linux on (parted magic), on one occasion, a Windows Trojan still jumped onto the usb stick from a used computer (while I was trying to erase the drive) - unbeknown to me until I plugged that same parted magic drive into another computer. I had a lucky escape because it was particularly nasty, and could also jump onto networks once it was on a windows computer, and infect every computer on the network.

I have another "tools" usb with various things on when erasing and upgrading older laptops (although I don't do it as often these days) - which also needs to be used between computers. I guess I could have a drawer full and throw them away after each use, but the little Panda program kept them safe

Fabler2 · Jul 5, 2025

Hazel123 said:
Thank you. That was the one I saw mentioned but wasn't sure if that one was still supported either I'll try it.

It's working fine for me. Just remember to right click,run as admin then go directly to the hidden sys tray icons to set up auto start.

kelper · Jul 5, 2025

Webroot AV will protect you from any malware on a USB. Are you saying Windows Security doesn't? Surely any decent anti-malware would do this?

Hazel123 · Jul 5, 2025

I forgot to do run as adminstrator - just double clicked it. Will that be ok? It's a bit more basic than the panda one and doesn't tell you a lot, but if it does the job!

Hazel123 · Jul 5, 2025

kelper said:
Webroot AV will protect you from any malware on a USB. Are you saying Windows Security doesn't? Surely any decent anti-malware would do this?

Well in the past, my AV detected and quarantined a trojan from a usb drive, but not straight away - and they can spread quickly.

Edit - belt and braces.

Edit - it was a worm, not a trojan. Can't remember the exact name but it's pretty damaging.

Hazel123 · Jul 5, 2025

Googling it brings up this

kelper · Jul 5, 2025

You can always scan the USB manually. Most AVs will intercept malware on a USB only when it executes.

Panda usb vaccine not working in 24H2

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