How to fix
DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LES_OR_EQUAL? (SCAM)
on Windows

I need help fixing the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LES_OR_EQUAL error that my Windows 10 keeps dropping whenever I boot my PC. In the error screen it is said that some of my software might not be installed properly and that I need to contact Microsoft Help Desk. Maybe there is something I can do about it myself?

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL BSoD error in most cases signifies a legitimate Windows system malfunction. Usually, it is defined by an Error code 0x000000D1 and indicates problems related to corrupt or outdated drivers. In particular, the computer may not be able to identify the damaged drivers and run the related software or hardware, causing the blue screen error to occur. In such a case updating or restoring drivers may help solve the problem. Nevertheless, DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LES_OR_EQUAL error that pops up at startup with suggestions to contact technicians by phone is not the same thing. In fact, it is a well-planned Tech Support Scam which only imitates the legitimate system error but, in reality, simply wants the users to purchase questionable services. You can easily tell the real BSoD from the fake one by looking at the content of the error message. The one prepared by online scammers goes like this: 

A problem has been detected and windows has been shutdown to prevent damage to your computer. DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LES_OR_EQUAL
Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further assistance.
for Contact us Toll Free +1-888-496-5150 If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your computer, If this screen appears again,
follow these steps: Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed.
If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any windows updates you might need.
If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software.
Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components,
restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options,
and then select Safe Mode.
Technical information:
*** STOP: 0x00D1 (0x00C,0x002,0x00,0xF86B5A89)
*** gv3.sys - Address F86B5A89 base at F86B5000, DateStamp 3dd9919eb
Beginning dump of physical memory Physical memory dump complete.
Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further assistance.
for Contact us Toll Free +1-888-828-6971

This “Microsoft Help Desk Tech Support” scam not only prevents the user from booting the computer properly but is also poses a serious risk to suffer a financial loss by fraud. Thus, you should not contact the provided number and remove DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LES_OR_EQUAL error-faking program from your computer without delay.

How to remove DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LES_OR_EQUAL Tech Support Scam from your computer?

To remove DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LES_OR_EQUAL scam from your computer, you first have to decide which removal approach to take up. You can either eliminate the virus manually or automatically, using antivirus utilities such as [d1]. If you do not have the opportunity to tackle the virus with the help of specialized software, do not worry, you can do that manually as well. When you get past the “Microsoft Help Desk Tech Support” scam lock screen, you can easily terminate the program on your Task Manager, clean registry entries and remove its malicious files from your hard drive. But first, you have to learn how to bypass it. Since you cannot terminate the lock screen through the Task Manager since the virus disables it, you will have to get back the control of your computer the hard way.

“Microsoft Help Desk Tech Support” might automatically initiate your browser and open Fastsupport.com page in which the scammers will offer you to establish a remote connection with the support technician. Do not quit this page because it is your ticket to eliminating the lock screen. When on the Web browser:

1. Enter "C:/windows/explorer.exe" into the URL tab (file///C:/windows/explorer.exe on Mozilla Firefox)
2. Press Enter. The download should start which you should agree to run.
3. Once the download is complete open the file and you should see your regular Computer catalog
4. Then, go to the C: disk -> Windows -> Explorer.exe
5. In the appeared Windows task bar search for Command Prompt
6. Enter "tasklist" command into the Command Prompt line and press Enter

This command enables the Command Prompt to work as a Task Manager in which you can monitor and control all the running processes. In this list, look for suspicious processes and in the command line below enter "taskkill/ im [Name of the suspicious process]". Then hit Enter, and the lock screen should disappear. All you have to do next is to eliminate the program from your computer by either running anti-malware utility or deleting the malicious components yourself.

This method is helpful in cases malware completely blocks the computer and running in Safe Mode does not help to get rid of the lock screen.