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FIX: The requested resource is in use [Error Solved]
7 expert-tested solutions to get rid of the SmartService Trojan
9 min. read
Updated onApril 3, 2024
updated onApril 3, 2024
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Key notes
This messageThe requested resource is in uselooks harmless when it first pops up on your computer screen. But, if it appears on your PC every time you try to open a program, it should worry you.
Theerror messageis usually a warning for something quite serious – a Trojan horse malware that is calledSmartService.
TheTrojan horse‘s name is, sadly, well earned. The malware behaves in a very smart way, from the multiple ways it can worm itself onto your PC and expose it to threats.
Like other destructive malware, its strain can leave a trail of damage that includes: installing programs that steal your personal information, spying on your online activity, and relaying the data to hackers.
This all sounds scary. But theTrojan‘s reign of terror does not end there. Without a doubt, its most destructive effect is the ability to block theantivirus softwareinstalled on your computer.
By doing this, the malware opens the door for other viruses and malware to infect your computer.
The compound effect is your computer becomes an inlet through which cybercriminals can have free passes over your banking and other personal information.
Because of this ability to infiltrate computers and, at the same time, disabling their malware defenses, SmartService is often the weapon of choice for ransomware attackers.
It also messes with your browser. Your browsing experience will be characterized by constant popups, annoying redirects, and dubious browser extensions.
From the point your PC gets infected, the virus can sit there for a long time before you even notice anything unusual.
During that whole time, theTrojanwill be busy at work, stealing your personal information, spying on you, and installing vicious software on your computer.
It is thus horrifying to imagine the malware may already be done with whatever malicious act it was charged with by the time you detect it.
In this article, we’ll discuss ways of removing theTrojanif you have unfortunately been hit already. First, let’s look at the ways the malware can infect your computer.
How the SmartService malware infects your computer
Seeing how difficult it usually is to detect thisTrojaninfection and how destructive it is, prevention is indeed better than cure, in many ways than one.
The most effective way to avoid infection is to be vigilant in the way you use your own and interact with other computers.
SmartService can infiltrate your PC in any one of the following ways: malicious attachments to emails delivered to your inbox, or ads you click on the websites you visit.
You can also get it from infected files you install as part of the software downloaded from the Internet, content you download from social media, cookies on torrents’ platforms, and other freeware sites.
Quick Tip:
Most often this error can be caused by malware, and we all know that the only effective way to deal with malware is via reliableantivirus software.
That being said, we recommend that you try out an AI-based antivirus, as it will stop all manner of cyber-threats before they even enter your PC, so you never haveerrorsagain.
ESET HOME Security Essential
How to fixThe requested resource is in useerror?
1. Restart your computer in Safe Mode
In the case of SmartService, the error message itself is evidence of system contamination. Rebooting inSafe Modeis a good way of running your antivirus without being blocked.Safe Mode prevents the malware from running as this mode only runs the PC’s basic services.
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Press theWindows keyto open Windows Search.
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Typemsconfigin the search box.
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The System Configuration app will now open.
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Navigate totheBootfolder.You should see theBoot optionslisted at the bottom.
5.Choose theSafe Bootoption. It should have theMinimalsub-option already checked.
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ClickOKafter you make your selection.
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A popup screen will appear. Just chooseRestartand your computer should safely reboot in Safe Mode.
IfWindows 10 Safe Mode is not workingand your computer starts normally, you can use our dedicated guide to fix the issue.
2. Use third-party malware removal software
We have mentioned already how the SmartService trojan can bypass someantivirus softwareas if they are not even there.
This means you can’t just use anyantivirus softwareto scan or remove this rather sophisticated malware. It will simply respond with it is annoyingThe requested resource is in useerror message.
However, there are other quality malware removal software tools you can use. We recommend you to try any of thesebest anti-malware software.
Bear in mind, in order to unlock the malware removal features with some of these tools, you will have to buy the license.
Just as well, you may want to be sure that theantiviruswill itself not be blocked by thetrojanbefore you spend money buying the license.
Still, you can prevent this from happening by first rebooting the PC in Safe Mode. Most malware removal tools come with instructions to guide you through installation to actual malware removal.
3. Uninstall malicious programs
You should be able to tell whichprogramsyou have installed yourself from the ones maliciously installed by the malware.
Uninstall all suspicious-looking programs whose purpose you can’t verify. One of them might be the cause ofThe requested resource is in usemalware. Afterward, proceed to the next step below.
However, many apps can’t be completely removed. Thus, we recommend you to use any of thesebest uninstaller softwareto get rid of residual files left behind.
4. Scan the System Configuration folder for malicious software
You will be able to permanently delete them using the regedit solution we will discuss later.
Most malicious malware strains are so hard to detect, and such a pain to remove because they attach themselves to your PC’s startup folder.
As soon as you start your machine, these apps are up and running. This SmartServicetrojan horsebehaves in the same way.
You thus must make sure to scan the Startup folder and remove all suspicious-looking programs from there. This is an important step, as even the really good antiviruses may still get blocked.
5. Delete all malicious IP addresses
The twoIP addressesyou see at the bottom are for the PC’s, or localhost, and should be kept there. If you have been hacked, there will be other IPs listed below those.
Normally that’s evidence that you have been hacked. Those IPs should be removed. It is also advisable to seek the help of a cybersecurity professional at this stage. You are still not done.
Sometimes, the malware is deployed to carve a gateway for a hack orransomwareattack. Both are scary. And that’s why you should addressThe requested resource is in useimmediately.
6. Remove malicious Windows Registry entries
Again, be careful when making changes to the Registry. Deleting the wrong Registry files can lead to serious PC malfunction.
Now, in cases of serious malware infections like thistrojan horse, there is usually some malicious changes and entries made to the Windows Registry. Your PC won’t be clean until you remove these.
But sometimes you don’t know what thetrojan‘s name is. You will thus need to manually search for all suspicious-looking programs in all folders withRunin their title.
These are programs that run automatically, from the moment you start your PC. There is likely to be malicious entries in those folders.
You will have to navigate to theCurrentVersionfolder to find these auto-run programs. Use this sequence to get there:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
Once you are in theCurrentVersionfolder, look for all folders with Run in the title. It can be Run, RunOnce, or others. Click once on each to reveal all the programs in the folders:
Scan the listed files and look for suspicious names, which you feel could be malware. If you are unsure about any, look them up before deleting them.
7.Prevent malware infection
Trojanslike this SmartService, that leads to theerror messageThe requested resource is in useare difficult to detect, and a pain to remove.
By disabling antiviruses, they make your task more difficult. Because of this, it would seem best to be vigilant about the way you use your PC.
You will want to desist from connecting external devices to your PC without first making sure they are clean.
This includes portable USB drives and external hard drives. There are manyUSB flash drive antivirus solutionsthat you can use. Also, avoid torrents and other freeware sites with questionable security.
Be careful when installing the software you downloaded from the Internet. Many people unknowingly grant malware programs permission to install in this way.
We hope that these solutions will help you to get rid of the error code error 0x800700aa:The requested resource is in use.
Feel free to tell us if our article helped you, and if you have any other suggestions for us, in the comment section bellow.
More about the topics:Cybersecurity,malware
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
