PC Accelerator (Improved Instructions) - Free Guide
PC Accelerator Removal Guide
What is PC Accelerator?
PC Accelerator is a doubtful Windows optimization tool that can display bogus scan results
PC Accelerator is a Windows optimization utility developed by Software Marketing Ltd. It has an active download website PC-Accelerator.com, though it has recently been found spreading bundled with other freeware. Due to this founding and some questionable activities that it performs on the system, cybersecurity experts from viruset.no[1] and other reputable security vendors included PC Accelerator to the list of potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).[2]
Name | PC Accelerator |
Developer | Software Marketing Ltd |
Classification | PUP |
Danger level | Low. It's more irritating and useless than dangerous |
Distribution | Software bundling |
Distinctive features | Regular system scans, pop-up alerts reporting multiple system's problems |
Removal method | The quickest way to eliminate the whole package of PC Accelerator is to run a scan with FortectIntego |
PC Accelerator virus promises to address Windows errors, eliminate junk files, protect the system from crashes, update drivers automatically, and ensure steady performance. The whole pack of functions is not free of charge. People can install only a free trial version for free, which will examine the system but won’t fix or improve anything. The full version of this app costs €39,95, which would be a proper sum of money for a reliable optimization program. However, PC Accelerator’s reliability is highly questionable.
The increasing number of threads where people complain about its performance and ask for help to remove PC Accelerator from Windows 10 and other OS versions prompted experts to test the tool. It has been found that this optimizer performs its tasks as scareware.[3]
If you are not familiar with the term, scareware is a rogue tool, which seeks to trick its users into believing that the system needs serious maintenance and the urge to purchase a license of a tool. PC Accelerator virus is that kind of app. As soon as its free trial version is installed, it launches its scanner and provides a report. Typically, it lists hundreds or even thousands of files, registry entries, and app as problematic and indicates numerous errors.
Keep in mind that most of the content indicated in the report are the names of randomly chosen system’s files. That’s a catch used to foist paid version of the optimizer. It will not improve the system in a significant way. However, it will stop the regular system’s scanners and exaggerated scan results.
Even if you did not install the PC Accelerator purposely, but it started scanning the system out of nowhere, it’s a clear sign that you have recently installed a freeware bundle. This dubious application is currently spreading like a “recommended attachment” or various free apps.
PC Accelerator is a legitimate optimization utility that has been classified as PUP due to misleading distribution and questionable performance
Experts recommend people to remove PC Accelerator virus not because it’s malicious. Naming it a virus is not the right term to use because the tool cannot harm the system. All it can do is to take up free space on your PC and pretend to be optimizing the system.
It is possible to remove PC Accelerator in two ways. You can get rid of it manually by following the manual removal tutorial at the end of this article. However, a much easier way to eliminate PC Accelerator is to run a scan with anti-malware tool, and remove virus damage with FortectIntego.
PC optimizers distributed by Bundling are classified as PUPs
The main reason why legitimate apps fall for the international classification of PUPs is distribution via freeware. Attached as optional downloads and disguised under Quick or Basic installation options, unwanted apps manage to infiltrate the system without being noticed.
This doubtful optimization utility has been revealed spreading by bundling either. Once installed, it initiates the system’s scans and urges people to pay for the license. To prevent such and similar installers, you should be cautious when installing free apps. Here’s a couple of tips you should keep in mind:
- Select freeware download source carefully;
- Initiate research about a freeware before downloading it;
- Select Advanced or Custom installation option;
- Read Privacy Policy and License Terms carefully;
- Check each window disclosed on the installation wizard;
- Opt out of “recommended downloads” that are pre-checked by default.
A guide on how to remove PC Accelerator from Windows
PC Accelerator removal can be initiated in a standard way, i.e., via Control Panel. Usually, it provides an official uninstaller, so launching it should be enough to uninstall the PUP completely.
However, if it was installed by bundling, it might not be the only PUP installed on your PC in a stealthy manner. To check that and eliminate all unwanted programs and their components, we would recommend you to remove PC Accelerator with the help of anti-malware.
If this app has been installed along with a bunch of other apps that corrupted your web browser, you can use the following instructions explaining how to restore the previous browser's settings.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of PC Accelerator. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
This optimizer is compatible with Windows OS only. It can infiltrate to each of its versions, including Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and others. If you did not install this app purposely, but it started scanning the system without authorization, we would recommend removing it without a delay. The guide below will explain how to get rid of PC Accelerator properly:
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- 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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Remove from Google Chrome
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 Safari
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of PC Accelerator registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting system tools
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
- ^ Viruset. Viruset. Virus and Spyware News.
- ^ Chris Hoffman. PUPs Explained: What is a “Potentially Unwanted Program”?. How-To Geek. Online Tech Publisher.
- ^ Paul Gil. What Exactly Is 'Scareware'?. Lifewire. Practical advice on how to live better with technology.