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

How to remove Mac Space Reviver

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

Lucia Danes · Virus researcher

Mac Space Reviver – a questionable Mac utility which is not recommended to use

Mac Space Reviver download website

Mac Space Reviver is a program that is promoted as a tool that allows cleaning duplicate files on Mac computers. Nevertheless, it may seem like a useful tool for those who make their Macs messy; it’s a potentially unwanted program (PUP)[1] that might sneak into the system unnoticed and trigger other unpleasant activities.

Summary
Name Mac Space Reviver
Type Potentially unwanted program (PUP)
Danger level Medium. PUP cannot damage the system but is capable of getting installed unnoticed and performing misleading activities on the machine.
Distribution methods The official website, software bundles, ads, third-party download sites
Symptoms Gets into the system unnoticed, delivers fake positive scan results, promotes paid version of the program
To remove Mac Space Reviver, install FortectIntego and run a full system scan

Mac Space Reviver has an official website where developers offer to download the program for free. However, if you have antivirus installed on your PC, the msr_msite.pkg file will be reported as dangerous as soon as the download is completed.

However, users may not be able to take advantage of all promised features unless they buy a full version for 8.11 EUR. Indeed, it’s not an expensive subscription for 12 months. However, it’s a barely useful program.

Clean duplicate photos, music & a lot more from your Mac & recover valuable drive space.
[Source: the official website]

Due to the program’s ability to get into the system unnoticed, Mac users often refer to it as Mac Space Reviver virus. However, it’s too harsh definition for a potentially unwanted application. It cannot damage the system, but its installation might lead to unpleasant consequences, such as:

  • aggressive promotions to subscribe for a full version;
  • promote other questionable tools for Mac (e.g., MacKeeper, Advanced Mac Cleaner);
  • scan the system for duplicates and show false positive results to trick users into buying the software;
  • bring the potentially unwanted program to the computer.

Furthermore, the privacy policy informs about data tracking. The program uses cookies[2] to collect various browsing-related information for unknown reasons. Additionally, they collect “active information” which consists of:

  • email address when users subscribe to newsletters and updates;
  • site usage information;
  • customer and site feedback;
  • purchase tracking details.

Developers do not clearly state why they need such this information and whether it will be disclosed to third-parties. Hence, it might put your privacy at risk, especially if you decide to make the purchase and reveal credit card details. However, in any case, Mac Space Reviver removal should be completed before something bad happens.

We do not recommend using developer’s suggested uninstaller to remove Mac Space Reviver from the device. You can get rid of this program by following our prepared manual elimination guide at the end of the article. Or you just run a full system scan with FortectIntego and let this security tool clean and fix your Mac.

Mac Space Reviver virus image

Promotion and installation of the shady Mac utility

As you already know, the program has an official website. However, MacSpaceReviver.com is not the only download source. This Mac cleaner is also available on third-party download sources, spread bundled with freeware and is promoted on ads.

The program is most likely to get into the system unnoticed when you download apps from third-party stores. These programs are usually software bundles that contain numerous additional programs that usually PUPs. You agree to install freeware package every time you choose Quick/Recommended settings which do not openly disclose about such promoted apps.

For this reason, you have to stick to Advanced/Custom settings and monitor the procedure. If you see the list of pre-selected “additional downloads,” remove the ticks next to them and stop their installation.

What is more, while browsing the web, you might also discover Mac Space Reviver ads which offer to install software to get more space on your machine. These ads might be displayed on high-risk sites or any other site if you have adware installed on your PC.

Mac Space Reviver ads promote installation

Specialists from avirus.hu[3] remind that it’s dangerous to install programs (or updates) from pop-ups or other ads. Many unwanted apps and malicious programs are spread in this way. Hence, you can get easily infected with malware.

Uninstall Mac Space Reviver from Mac OS X

The official website offers to download uninstaller which is supposed to get rid of the program. However, this Mac Space Reviver removal method is not recommended. It might operate as spyware and collect your passwords which might be used for hacking your PC or committing other crimes.

To remove Mac Space Reviver from the machine, you have to navigate to the Applications folder and move this program to Trash. Additionally, you have to eliminate all program-related files. To do so, you can follow the guide below or use anti-malware software.

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

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