DownloadProtect ads: what it is and how to remove it
DownloadProtect is a potentially unwanted application that gets installed on the computer when users casually install free programs from the internet. Alternatively, the browser extension for Chrome might be installed via third-party sites.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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DownloadProtect ads: summary
| Distribution | Software bundling, unsafe third-party sites |
|---|---|
| Name | DownloadProtect |
| Category | Adware, PUP |
| Type | Browser extension |
| Activities | Changes Chrome group policies and injects every visited site with JavaScript code that initiates intrusive advertisments |
| Risk factors | Money loss, malware infections |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 10 more facts
| Termination | Use our manual instructions below. In case that does not work, employ reputable security application and scan your computer |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | Redirects to an unknown domain |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Domains | download.com |
| Ads shown as | Redirects through ad pages |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 12 November 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is DownloadProtect ads dangerous?
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on DownloadProtect
- If the PUP damaged the operating system files, a scan is a good way to restore it
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
download.com
How to remove DownloadProtect ads
How to remove the DownloadProtect extension
Do the browser steps in every browser and profile on the PC, then check Windows for the program that installed the extension.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Edgeedge://extensions, and in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially search, new tab, coupon, PDF, weather or video downloader add-ons. Check every browser and every profile, because each keeps its own list.
If an extension has no Remove button or comes back, a browser policy holds it (see "Managed by your organization" in the procedure below). The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
DownloadProtect rarely comes alone: it is usually installed by, or together with, a free program. In Windows 11 open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and sort by install date.
Uninstall every entry from the day the trouble began that you did not install on purpose, for example a download manager, a converter or a browser you never chose.
Keep drivers and entries from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA or your PC's maker unless you are sure.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 3: Reset the browser
A reset removes what the steps above could miss:
- changed start pages
- site permissions
- hidden settings
In Chrome open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; in Edge Settings > Reset settings; in Firefox Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.
Tip: Bookmarks and saved passwords stay, while extensions are turned off and the search engine and start page return to the defaults.
Reset every browser on the PC, including Edge, which Windows 11 and Windows 10 always have.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of DownloadProtect that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
To stop DownloadProtect and its activities, you need to find and uninstall adware application on Windows manually:
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
Remove from Google Chrome
After you terminate all the suspicious applications from the installed list, make sure you reset Google Chrome in order to eliminate the DownloadProtect completely
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Delete from macOS
If you Mac is showing signs of the adware infection, please proceed with the following steps:
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).
Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
DownloadProtect is an adware extension for Chrome that displays intrusive ads and prevents its elimination
DownloadProtect is a potentially unwanted application that gets installed on the computer when users casually install free programs from the internet.
Alternatively, the browser extension for Chrome might be installed via third-party sites. Regardless of its infiltration methods, DownloadProtect is an undesirable application that will only create havoc for users each time they attempt to browse the internet.
Once installed, DownloadProtect virus gives itself a variety of permissions and starts injecting JavaScript into every website that users visit. For that reason, they will see pop-ups, banners, offers, deals, in-text links, flashing windows, pop-unders, and similar intrusive content on every site that they visit. The adware related to the app alters Chrome group policies - this makes DownloadProtect removal particularly difficult.
While most potentially unwanted programs are considered to be minor infections, some of them implement malware-like behavior, and DownloadProtect seems to fall into the latter category. Upon installation, it grants itself the following permissions that allow it to:
Such elevated permissions might allow DownloadProtect virus to install additional browser extensions, toolbars, and other programs without permissions. Besides, users might find a variety of links inserted into their bookmarks. This type of behavior clutter the browser and might lead to malware infections, or even identity fraud, as some malicious apps can spy on users without any permissions.
Additionally, DownloadProtect employs JavaScript (JS), which allows it to inject intrusive advertisement on each site the infected user's visit. This is done to monetize on ad revenue, and it does not matter is the clicks made were intentional or accidental, as pay-per-click revenue is often used.
DownloadProtect also ensures that sponsored parties get plenty of visitors, artificially increasing the rank among the search results. Unfortunately, these websites might be unsafe to use, as they might push bogus software or technical support scams.
All in all, if you discovered that your Google Chrome is spamming your searches and sites that you visit with persistent advertisements, you should check for and remove DownloadProtect malware from your device. Additionally, experts advise using for fast recovery after the infection is terminated.
- Read and change all data on the visited websites;
- Read and change browsing history on all signed-in devices;
- Display notifications;
- Read and change bookmarks;
- Manage downloads;
- Manage apps, extensions, and themes;
- Communicate with cooperating applications, etc.
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
Ways to avoid potentially unwanted applications on your computer
Despite the popular belief, users are often at fault themselves when their computers are suffering from cyber infections.
Reason for that being is the fact that user interaction is almost always mandatory to place the unwanted app on the device.
One of the most popular tactics to spread PUPs is called software bundling. This deceptive marketing technique has been used for a while now and affects both, Mac and Windows users. Therefore, regardless of what operating system you use, it is not immune to adware or other PUP infection.
To make it clear: every third-party site bundles applications for monetization purposes. Therefore, even the most known software hosting sites like Download.com, FileHippo.com or Softpedia can be a source for potentially unwanted programs. Unfortunately, software bundling remains legal practice, although security experts around the world often disagree.
To avoid being a victim of a PUP, you should watch the installation procedure of all software carefully. Those who rush and skip steps, pick Recommended/Quick settings, are at the highest risk of missing the crucial statements, fine print or pre-ticked boxes. Therefore, Always opt for Advanced/Custom settings and read through the installation instructions carefully. Finally, remove all the ticks next to browser extensions, toolbars, system optimizers, etc.
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
To remove DownloadProtect browser extension fully, you have to reset Google Chrome browser
To remove DownloadProtect virus, you will have to terminate the adware app that is installed on your device.
Unfortunately, it is often hard to determine which application is actually related. Nevertheless, you can try checking the installed apps list and uninstall all suspicious entries one by one. We explain in detail how to accomplish that below.
You can also terminate DownloadProtect with the help of reputable anti-virus software that specializes in PUPs. Merely download and install anti-malware tool, and run a full system scan. Some of the AV engines use names like PUA/DownloadProtect.Gen7 or PUP.Optional.DownloadProtect.ChrPRST for this PUP detection.
Very important: to make sure DownloadProtect removal is successful, you need to make sure you reset Google Chrome browser completely! Once again, you will find all the details below.
Questions about DownloadProtect ads
download.com opens when I click links. What causes it?
When every click leads to download.com first, an extension or a script on the page is rewriting the links. If it happens only on one site, that site uses aggressive ads; close it and use another source. If it happens everywhere, open the browser in a private window, where extensions are normally off, and try again.
No redirect in the private window means one of your extensions is responsible: remove the ones you do not know. A redirect in the private window too means the cause is outside the extensions, such as a notification permission, a changed search setting or a program installed on the PC. The removal steps in this guide cover each of those.
Did download.com install a virus on my PC?
Very unlikely, unless you downloaded and opened something from the pages it led to. Redirect domains such as download.com sell your visit to advertisers; they do not need to install anything to make money.
What can be installed is the thing that causes the redirects in the first place, such as an extension or an ad-supported program that came with free software. That is why the checks in this guide look at extensions, notification permissions and Installed apps.
A full scan with Microsoft Defender afterwards gives you a clear answer about the rest of the PC. If the scan is clean and the redirects stop after removing the cause, you are done.
Why does DownloadProtect show me ads?
Because that is its whole purpose. DownloadProtect is an adware extension, and its operators are paid for every ad it displays and every click it gets. In this case the ads take the form of redirects through ad pages.
They are chosen by ad networks that accept almost any advertiser, which is why so many look like warnings or prizes. The ads are not a sign that your PC is broken or infected with something worse; they are a sign that something on it, or in the browser, has permission to advertise. Removing that permission or program stops them.
Do I have to clean every browser?
Yes, if you use more than one. We saw DownloadProtect in Chrome, Edge and Firefox, and each browser keeps its own extensions, notification permissions and settings. Chrome and Edge share the same extension format, so one installer can add the same adware to both, while Firefox has its own add-ons.
Check every browser on the PC, including ones you rarely open. If you sync a browser with an account, clean it while signed in, so that the removal reaches your other computers rather than the adware returning from them.
How do I know the ads come from DownloadProtect?
Look for redirects to download.com. That is the trace DownloadProtect leaves, and it shows up as redirects through ad pages. Ads that appear on every site, including ones that never carried ads before, point to something on your PC or in the browser rather than to the sites themselves.
A quick test is a private window, where extensions are off by default: if the ads disappear there, an extension is responsible. If they appear even with the browser closed, the source is a notification permission or a program in Windows.
Can adware slow down my PC?
Yes. Adware runs in the background, loads ad scripts, opens extra tabs and contacts its servers, all of which use processor time, memory and bandwidth. Ad-heavy extensions also slow down every page, because they inspect and change it before you see it.
The effect is strongest on older PCs and when several adware programs arrived together. After removal, restart the PC and check Task Manager for anything still using a lot of resources that you do not recognise. Speed usually returns to normal once the ads stop.
Does adware steal passwords?
Ordinary adware is built to show ads, not to steal logins, and most of it never touches saved passwords. The line is blurry, though. Extensions that can read every page could capture what you type, and adware ads sometimes lead to phishing pages that ask for passwords directly.
If you entered credentials on a page reached through an ad, change that password from a clean device and turn on two-step verification. Otherwise, removing adware extension and clearing cookies is usually enough.
An ad showed a phone number and I called it. What now?
The number belongs to scammers, not to Microsoft or an antivirus company. If you only talked, hang up and do not call back. If you let them connect to the PC, disconnect it from the internet, uninstall the remote access program they used, such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, ScreenConnect or UltraViewer, and run a full and offline scan.
If you paid or gave bank details, call your bank at once on the number printed on your card. Change any passwords you typed while they were connected, and report the call.
I clicked on one of the ads. Am I infected?
Probably not. Clicking an ad usually only opens a page, and a page cannot install programs on an up-to-date Windows PC without your help.
You are at risk only if you then downloaded and ran a file, allowed notifications, entered card or login details, or called a phone number shown on the page. Delete any download and run a full and offline scan.
Change passwords you typed, from a clean device. Call your bank if you gave card details. If you called a number or allowed remote access, see the next question.
Will Fortect remove DownloadProtect?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For DownloadProtect, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Trend Micro: Potentially Unwanted Application (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: JavaScript (read October 6, 2026)
- Google Chrome Help: Use notifications to get alerts (no longer online) (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)