HQual-V1.8 virus. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
HQual-V1.8 software is not a useful program, and you should NOT install it. In fact, it is categorized as an ‘adware’ and a ‘potentially unwanted program’ (PUP). However, sometimes such programs can enter the system without your knowledge. So if “ads by HQual-V1.8” or “HQual-V1.8 ads” have already showed up on your computer screen, you should consider reading this article.
What is the function of HQual-V1.8 adware?
HQual-V1.8 is presented as a useful tool that can assist you while you shop online. It promises to provide good shopping deals, point out e-shops that offer best prices, show price comparisons and similar content. Of course, such proposals seem to be useful. However, in reality, HQual-V1.8 PUP functions in an entirely different way:
- It tracks your browsing activity, collects search terms, reviews browsing history, bookmarks, clicks and downloads.
- Then this questionable software sends this information to its server. Later on, it gathers ads that are related to the content that interests you. What is wrong, you may ask? The fact that this program displays catchy content, but that does not yet mean that the shopping deals or discounts that it displays actually exist.
- The purpose of HQual-V1.8 ads is to make you click on them. That is why this suspicious program makes them look like they were specially tailored to your interests. You should not click on these ads; otherwise, you might be forced to visit predetermined websites.
- An important fact about this program is that its ads can cause redirects to third-party websites. Let us explain why this program does that – it collaborates with its sponsors, and inserts links to websites that belong to them. Please be careful as such sites can be untrustworthy.
Questions about HQual-V1.8 virus
Keep in mind that third-party web sources might offer you to install various content for free, but you should not agree to do so. These web sources might want to promote noxious programs, so that is why we recommend you to refrain from installing suspicious content. What is more, these ads by HQual-V1.8 can show up very frequently in a form of pop-ups or banners. Such activity slows down the computer’s performance. In conclusion, we cannot find a reason why you should keep this program installed on your computer. That is why we recommend removing it. You can use an anti-spyware program, for example, Reimage, to remove it automatically.
How did this program enter my computer?
Wondering how did HQual-V1.8 PUP slither into your PC and why you did not notice that? Well, the discussed adware is commonly distributed with other freeware or shareware. Let us explain how to avoid installing unwanted attachments:
- Whenever you want to download a free program, search for a download link only on safe web sources.
- When you download it, install it attentively. Study the installation setup, and do not rush. Read Terms of Use and Privacy Policy documents.
- Set safe installation mode. You should never install any software using ‘Default/Standard’ installation mode because it hides the agreements to install optional attachments. They are pre-selected; To deselect these agreements to install unwanted programs, you have to opt for ‘Advanced/Custom’ installation mode.
However, if you have made a mistake and installed HQual-V1.8 virus already, do not worry – you can remove it quite easily. We have prepared a removal guide for you – it can be found on page 2.
How to uninstall HQual-V1.8?
Adware programs are annoying, but they are not malicious. However, security experts state that there is no need to keep such applications on the system as they no way they can be useful for you. That is why you should remove HQual-V1.8 virus. You should not waste your time trying to close its ads; they are only going to disappear after a full HQual-V1.8 software removal. To learn how to uninstall this program manually, follow the steps below:
You can remove virus damage automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes. We recommend these applications because they detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove HQual-V1.8 virus, follow these steps:
Erase HQual-V1.8 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 HQual-V1.8 and related programs
Here, look for HQual-V1.8 or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
Get rid of HQual-V1.8 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 HQual-V1.8 or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Eliminate HQual-V1.8 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 HQual-V1.8 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 HQual-V1.8 removal.
Uninstall HQual-V1.8 virus from Microsoft Edge
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, HQual-V1.8 should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariDelete HQual-V1.8 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 HQual-V1.8 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 HQual-V1.8 removal.
Remove HQual-V1.8 from Google Chrome
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select HQual-V1.8 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 HQual-V1.8 removal.
Erase HQual-V1.8 from Safari
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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 HQual-V1.8 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 HQual-V1.8 removal process.