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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Jun 2021

How to remove Driver Update virus

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Ugnius Kiguolis · The mastermind

DriverUpdate virus – an unwanted program that fails to take care of your drivers

Driver Update

DriverUpdate is a potentially unwanted program that is supposed to detect and complete the necessary updates on your computer. Unfortunately, this PUP[1] which belongs to the Slimware developer tricks people into using its services and doesn't keep the promises of its effectiveness.

There are more utilities coming from this publisher, like Slimcleaner and SlimCleaner plus which have also been tricking users into installing and then acting in a different way than expected. One of the reasons why it deserved such classification of PUP is the shady distribution method which is supported by DriverUpdate.net virus. The program might sneak inside the computer in the software bundle and might initiate undesired system scans. These scan results might be terrifying. Though, people are offered to buy a full version of the program in order to fix these issues.

Name DriverUpdate
Type System tool
Sub-type PUP
Similar to SlimcleanerSlimCleaner plus
Supported by DriverUpdate.net virus
Developer Slimware
Browsers hijacked All popular ones – Chrome, Edge, Firefox, etc.
Deletion process Use FortectIntego to detect rogue content in the PC 

Purchasing the licensed version of the dubious application is not recommended because scan results might unreliable and increased purposely in order to boost sales of the program. The so-called DriverUpdate virus might also deliver an excessive amount of online ads. The program might hijack all most popular web browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer.

It can deliver fake pop-up ads[2] claiming that you need to update Java, Flash Player, Web browser, or any other software. Having in mind that the app promises to clean your computer from outdated programs and files, you may think at first that every notification is reliable. Sadly, it isn't.

Driver Update ads are misleading and might redirect you to shady online places. Therefore, if you would click on “Download,” “Run Update” or “Click to install now” button, instead of installing an update you may agree to install another adware or even a malicious program on your computer.

However, beware that this app mainly seeks to distribute other potentially unwanted programs on your computer with the help of fake update messages. So, if you do not want to encounter more serious problems, you should think about Driver Update removal. The best way to get rid of the PUP is by scanning the system with an anti-malware/anti-spyware program. Professional tools like FortectIntego will find and delete all suspicious components that might be delivering an excessive amount of ads or initiate redirects.

However, if you prefer, you can remove Driver Update from the computer manually. At the end of the article, you will find detailed instructions on how to do it. Although, we kindly as you to carefully follow the given guidelines in order to safely eliminate this PUP. If you find this method too difficult, proceed with the automatic removal.

Freeware functions as a carrier for this PUP. Steps to avoid it

Unfortunately, as most of the potentially unwanted programs, adware finds its way to your system by a popular marketing scheme called bundling. Additionally, people can receive adverts on this system optimization tool via driverupdater.net pop-ups.

Note that software bundling is closely related to various freeware and shareware. To be more precise, experts from LosVirus.es[3] explain that this unreliable application may get inside your computer along with free programs, such as download managers, PDF creators, media players[4], and so on. Later, it will demand DriverUpdate registration key for further services.

In order to avoid this, you should install free programs very carefully. Make sure that you select programs carefully and install them only after reading End-User's License Agreement and Privacy Policy sections. In addition to that, you should select an Advanced or Custom installation option if possible because it allows monitoring the entire process and deselecting checkboxes with “optional downloads” suggested.

If you have already noticed that each of your web browsers delivers questionable messages and ads, you should not wait any longer and fix your computer without any delay.

Driver Update virus

Driver Update FAQ

Question: I got lured into installing a program by Slimware Utilities. At first, it seemed to be trustworthy before it has started delivering intrusive notifications. I wonder, is DriverUpdate legitimate? Or should I uninstall it?

Answer: Slimware Utilities is a company that develops various applications. However, this product has received a lot of critics lately. Some cybersecurity experts assign it to the spyware category, while others tend to rank it as Driver Update software virus or Slimware virus. Although it isn't a real virus, we strongly doubt that it is the software you will want to keep on your computer.

Research shows that it displays many notifications that do not reflect the actual computer's condition; besides, it works as adware that displays various commercial offers. Such functionalities aren't welcome, and therefore we recommend removing this suspicious software for your own good.

Question: I keep receiving Driver Update popup every time I log into Windows. It says that my drivers are outdated and that I must update them ASAP. How to get rid of Driver Update? It is annoying, and I don't feel like I really need this software. My brother is a geek, and he fixes my computer for me, but he's away now. This software just annoys me!

Answer: If you want to remove pop-ups and notifications by DriverUpdate (by Slimware Utilities), we highly recommend following the instructions we have prepared. The tutorial provided below the article explains how to disable this program and uninstall it. After removing it from your system, you won't get any notifications or ads. 

Question: I am confused. I haven't installed any programs lately, except for some free games. Now, my computer keeps displaying pop-ups asking me to update drivers. How to remove Driver Update notification? I am also unsure what is Driver Update and how did it get on my computer although I didn't download it. Can you explain?

Answer: Driver Update is a questionable program that promises to update Windows drivers but delivers annoying ads and repetitious notifications regularly. It is also noticeable that the software attempts to convince the user to buy its license key. However, you can update your drivers without this software quite quickly, so we do not see a reason why you would want to spend money on a program that has received so many negative reviews over the years. Now that you know what is DriverUpdate let us explain how it could get on your computer without your knowledge.

This software is described as a potentially unwanted one, and one of the reasons for such classification is the distribution method used to promote it. It turns out that this system tool spreads with the help of software bundling, a technique that is frequently used in the distribution of spyware-type programs.

We advise choosing Custom/Advanced settings whenever you install programs and deselecting all additional programs suggested to you. If you don't do this, they will be installed thanks to Default/Standard settings that are selected by default.

Uninstall DriverUpdate virus without hesitation

Many people question is DriverUpdate.net safe, yet continue to install this unreliable program. If you are one of them who are struggling and cannot get rid of DriverUpdate, please get professional malware removal software. Since the app may cause infiltration of various potentially unwanted programs, make sure that you remove it as soon as you notice its first ad or receive unexpected system scan results. The longer you let it stay, the more problems it might cause.

For instance, your browser might be flooded with commercial content, and you might be tricked to click on a malicious ad.[5] Sadly, it might lead to a malware attack. Thus, do not hesitate and chose the best option for Driver Update removal. The first method suggests detecting and eliminating the program yourself.

If you want to find out how to uninstall Driver Update, follow the instructions below – they will guide you through the process. Bear in mind that you need to look for other questionable applications that might have been installed without your knowledge as well.

If these guidelines look too complicated, you can remove Driver Update virus automatically using SpyHunterCombo Cleaner. It’s a quick and simple solution to clean your computer from viruses. The leftovers are easy to clean with FortectIntego.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

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