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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • System tools
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Apr 2018

How to remove DriverToolkit

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

Alice Woods · Likes to teach users about virus prevention

DriverToolkit is a doubtful optimization utility classified as PUP

DriverToolkit optimizer

DriverToolkit by Megaify Software Co. is a free software utility that is supposed to clean, repair and optimize PCs. It is said to download or update system’s drivers and perform driver backup. Its database of hardware devices and drivers is supposed to consist of more than 12,000,000 entries. While initially, it may seem useful, AV engines, including Avira, Sophos, and others recognize it as PUP (PUA/DriverToolkit.EL.1).[1] The reason why it has been included in PUP category is related to stealthy installation and doubtful system’s optimization procedure.

Name DriverToolkit
Developer Megaify Software Co.
Related files DriverToolkit.exe
AV detection PUP, PUA/DriverToolkit.EL.1
Danger level Medium. Although it's not malicious, the software it downloads is often unsuitable and may cause hard drive failure and other system's problems
Distribution Bundling
Symptoms System's slowdowns, high CPU usage by DriverToolkit.exe, regular system scans, warning pop-ups reporting driver failure, etc. 
To get rid of this rogue optimizer, download FortectIntego and run a scan

Many people reported that their Windows OS slowed down significantly due to high CPU usage by DriverToolkit.exe. This executable file, a 32-bit process that can be found in C:\Program Files\drivertoolkit\drivertoolkit.exe or \Program Files(x86) is directly related to DriverToolkit software. The file has been revealed spreading stealthily and working as a download/install source for Megaify Software products.

If the user inadvertently installs the DriverToolkit.exe file, it creates a Startup process to start functioning each time the user logs into Windows. Consequently, the corresponding DriverToolkit optimizer launches its scanner and may initiate regular system’s scans. The scan results are subsequently transmitted to a server to identify problematic drivers and other components and download the patches or updates.

However, most of the users who have tried this tool refer to it as DriverToolkit virus. One of the reasons is stealthy installation and severe system’s slowdown. Another reason, according to users, is unsuitable software, which eventually causes hard disk failure and similar Windows problems.

Not to mention, DriverToolkit removal may appear to be a difficult task to perform. If the user attempts to get rid of it manually via Control Panel, he or she faces the absence of an automatic remover, or the elimination process ends up with an error message saying:

Windows is unable to find DriverToolkit.exe to uninstall it.

In a nutshell, even though the DriverToolkit virus and the DriverToolkit.exe file are not malicious (security rating 21%), it’s not the one that you should trust. Instead of optimizing the system, it may display false or predefined scan results and ask you to purchase the license.[2] Besides, the longer you keep it, the higher is the risk to experience various Windows errors, slowdowns due to excessive CPU usage by DriverToolkit.exe, and similar problems.

Virukset.fi[3] cyber researchers recommend people to remove DriverToolkit without delay. For this purpose, take advantage of a reputable security tool, such as FortectIntego or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner. If you cannot launch the scanner, try to restart Windows into Safe Mode with Networking (the guide is given below).

Upon DriverToolkit removal, check your web browser for unknown extensions. At best recover your web browser settings by resetting them to default.

DriverToolkit virus scanner

Do not download freeware recklessly

Programs like this one are frequently spread in a bundle with freeware and shareware. Indicated as recommended tools, they are typically marked by default. Therefore, if the user clicks the Next button during freeware installation all the time, your consent to install the entire bundle is counted automatically.

To prevent this from happening, install free apps using Advanced or Custom installation option. Then carefully read all information disclosed and opt out of each additional component. In fact, it’s better not to install a free program that promotes potentially unwanted apps at all.

Perform DriverToolkit removal for good

DriverToolkit malware is potentially dangerous since it initiated doubtful system’s optimization tasks without being asked for that. Besides, the software it installs is highly suspicious and may not be compatible with The current Windows version.

To remove DriverToolkit, download a professional anti-virus or update the one that is currently running on your PC. Run a full system scan and eliminate all the finding. In case you cannot launch antivirus scanner, restart your PC into Safe Mode with Networking as explained below.

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.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

It's not known whether the DriverToolkit virus installs web browser's extensions. However, if you have installed it unwillingly with freeware, there's a high possibility for other PUPs to be hiding within your browser. To disable all of them, you should reset browser's settings. The following tutorial on how to reset Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and other browsers will help you. 

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