Advanced PC Tuneup virus. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
Why should you get rid of Advanced PC Tuneup?
Advanced PC Tuneup virus is a potentially unwanted application which acts as a handy system optimization tool [1], but its functionality is much closer to an adware-type virus. To be precise, the application mostly appears on the computers without receiving proper permission from the user and continues the hijack by carrying out various unauthorized activities. These activities may include generating intrusive pop-ups, running fake system scans and attempting to trick the victims into thinking that their computers are out of order. The perpetual pop-ups and scan reports urge the user to obtain the full version of the program and fix the detected errors. On top of it all, the program’s influence may also extend to the infected computer’s Web browser and the victim may start noticing Advanced PC Tuneup ads as well as other random pop-ups showing up whenever they browse the Internet. As a product of a shady adware application, these ads and their promoted content should not be trusted. Usually, to collect a more significant amount of advertising revenue, the program developers may even collaborate with poor reputation parties, as long as they promise a decent profit [2]. Due to this functionality, the program becomes highly unpredictable and gives a good reason to remove Advanced PC Tuneup from the computer. Luckily, the program is not malicious enough to obstruct its removal, though it might attempt to prevent the victims from accessing legitimate antivirus websites and obtaining security software. Nevertheless, you can still obtain or run Reimage or similar powerful antivirus software by booting your device in Safe Mode with Networking [3].
Though in most respects, Advanced PC Tuneup bears a close resemblance to adware [4], the program is more complex than that. It may also change your homepage with AdvancedPCTuneup.com official website and even install additional browser extensions and add-ons [5] to track your browsing habits and present you with personally targeted ads. Of course, you also should not expect your computer to work smoothly with so much of additional activity going on. The programs on the infected device may begin running into errors, freeze and the overall system performance may deteriorate to the point where it would be practically impossible to use the computer without it crashing. The symptoms typically tend to intensify and worsen with time, so the sooner you accomplish the Advanced PC Tuneup removal — the better.
How did the program slip into your computer?
There are multiple ways Advanced PC Tuneup malware can enter computers. Though most of them are deceptive, we should not forget that this program has an official website which offers to obtain the program voluntarily. Unfortunately, a number of downloads received this way does not satisfy the program’s authors, so, unfair distribution techniques like “bundling” are employed for this purpose. This essentially means that the program arrives on the computer along with other applications, say photo or video editors, PDF converters, etc., and install in their disguise. This way, even the users who don’t desire any optimization programs at all are deceptively forced to install Advanced PC Tuneup on their computers. If you don’t want to have your computer to be stuffed with unnecessary and even potentially malicious programs, you should always take the time to analyze the full content of your downloaded software packages and opt out unwanted components.
How does Advanced PC Tuneup removal work?
For some users, it may come as a surprise that Advanced PC Tuneup virus can be eliminated from the computer quite easily. In fact, you can even remove it manually if you have the will to spend some time to follow the procedure presented below this article. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a quick and more professional Advanced PC Tuneup removal option, you should definitely make use of the specialized antivirus software and scan your device with it. The automatic malware-detection program will remove Advanced PC Tuneup diligently, without leaving a malicious file behind.
You can remove Advanced PC Tuneup automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareWebroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, Malwarebytes Anti Malware. We recommend these applications because they can easily delete potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Manual Advanced PC Tuneup virus Removal Guide:
Uninstall Advanced PC Tuneup from Windows systems
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
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Uninstall Advanced PC Tuneup and related programs
Here, look for Advanced PC Tuneup or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
Remove Advanced PC Tuneup from Mac OS X system
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Advanced PC Tuneup or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Delete Advanced PC Tuneup from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Advanced PC Tuneup and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Advanced PC Tuneup removal.
Get rid of Advanced PC Tuneup virus from Microsoft Edge
Advanced PC Tuneup is a nasty program because it does not only display fake system scan results but may also install unwanted extensions and applications on the Web browsers. If you find unfamiliar components on your Edge browser too, do not hesitate a minute to remove them and reset the browser afterwards.
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
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Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, Advanced PC Tuneup should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariEliminate Advanced PC Tuneup from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Advanced PC Tuneup and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Advanced PC Tuneup removal.
Erase Advanced PC Tuneup from Google Chrome
If Advanced PC Tuneup has installed some additional components on your Google Chrome browser — remove them unhesitatingly. You can then reset your browser and enjoy uninterrupted browsing experience once again.
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Advanced PC Tuneup and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Advanced PC Tuneup removal.
Uninstall Advanced PC Tuneup from Safari
Unfortunately, Advanced PC Tuneup may install unwanted extensions and add-ons on your Safari browser too. So, you will have to locate, delete them and reset your browser to get rid of the Advanced PC Tuneup for good.
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Advanced PC Tuneup or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Advanced PC Tuneup removal process.
About the author
References
- ^ Why Memory Optimizers and RAM Boosters Are Worse Than Useless. How to geek. For geeks; by geeks.
- ^ Cristina Mailat. How adware works and how to remove it?. ID security suite blog.
- ^ In Windows, what is Safe Mode used for and why?. How Stuff Woks - Learn how everything works!.
- ^ What is Adware?. Liutilities. Free resource libraries.
- ^ BHO (Browser Helper Object). Spyware Guide site.