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

How to remove PC Health Aid virus

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

Gabriel E. Hall · Passionate web researcher

PC Health Aid virus – a system optimizer which tries to trick users by displaying fake alerts

PC Health Aid system tool

PC Health Aid, created by Comguard Solutions, is a system optimization tool that is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP)[1]. The official website of the program claims that it is “the best PC health tool on earth” that is supposed to accelerate the system speed, stabilize computer’s performance, backup registry, detect and fix various computer issues, and protect data. However, it truly does alerts about various system issues but such messages appear to be false and are used only to scare victims. For “fixing”, PC Health Aid virus offers to purchase the full version of the program. Be careful and do not fall for such tricks. If you want to re-check your computer system, get a reliable anti-malware tool and perform a scan with that program. You should see that there are barely any results similar to those provided by PC Health Aid tool.

Name PC Health Aid
Type System tool
Sub-type PUP
Purpose To convince users to buy the licensed version of the tool
Symptoms You keep seeing pop-ups and alerts related to this program
Distribution Official website, other programs
Prevention Use the Custom/Advanced installation mode only, stay away from rogue sites, download antivirus protection
What to do Install FortectIntego to scan the system for detecting PUP-related issues

One of the reasons why PC Health Aid system tool has been classified as a PUP is that many antivirus programs detect it as a Trojan[2] or adware.[3] Another reason is related to its distribution method. This tool spreads bundled with other software; thus, it might seem to appear on the computer out of nowhere.

Some good news is that PC Health Aid fake system tool cannot harm the system, but it can certainly cause annoying activities. When installed on the computer, this tool starts scanning the system looking for various errors and issues that need to be fixed. Once it finds, it presents scan results and offers to buy a full version to fix these problems.

Thus, this program has two versions. The free version works as a scanner and is mostly distributed with freeware or shareware. This technique helps to promote the paid version of the program. Finding out about computer-related programs might not be pleasant, and some people might be interested in buying it. Better remove PC Health Aid virus as it will not fix any computer-related problems. We recommend scanning the PC with FortectIntego

However, if the scan results appeared out of the blue and you haven’t installed this program yourself, you should think twice whether you can rely on this program or not. Though, we do not recommend buying a full version. If you think that you need a PC optimization tool, look for more reliable applications or try other methods to speed up your computer[4] after the PC Health Aid removal.

PC Health Aid virus

Before installing new programs, you should always read the Privacy Policy and EULA to learn what you can expect from it.[5] The most important parts of these documents are data collection and partnership with third-parties. When you decide to install PC Health Aid, you agree that developers collect particular information about you and, in some cases, share aggregated data with third-parties.

The program might collect information such as IP address, the type, and version of the browser and operating system, etc. What is more, they may use tracking cookies to get information about downloaded, installed or uninstalled the software. According to the Privacy Policy, this information might be shared with vendors, consultants, and other service providers. This information is supposed to help to improve their services; however, it might also be used for marketing purposes. 

Fake system tools distribute secretly

According to IT specialists from NoVirus.uk[6], fake system optimization tools have an official website where people can purchase, download and install them. However, it’s not the only one way how such programs might end up on the computers. These type of applications might also be added to the software packages[7] and offered to download as an optional component.

The problem is that the majority of computer users rely on Basic or Standard installation settings when installing freeware or shareware. These settings do not reveal whether you install a package or a single program. Thus, if it was a package, you might encounter not only PC Health Aid hijack but allow other potentially unwanted programs to enter the system.

In order to avoid PUPs, you need to install new programs under Advanced or Custom settings. However, do not rush to click the “Next” button. Slowly and attentively follow each step and look for the list of pre-selected entries. Once you find them, deselect all programs offered to you.

Remove PC Health Aid virus

PC Health Aid optimization program

You can remove PC Health Aid virus from the computer easily. The simplest method suggests to go to the Programs folder and search for the program. Then, click “Uninstall PC Health Aid” option and wait for the uninstall guide to launch. Furthermore, you can try using expert-suggested anti-malware programs and getting rid of the potentially unwanted program automatically.

After the PC Health Aid removal, we also recommend scanning the computer with a reputable anti-malware program, such as FortectIntego. This step is extremely important if this program came into your PC bundled with other software. It is possible that other potentially unwanted programs have been installed without your knowledge too. Thus, you need to remove them as well. 

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

Did this guide help?

3 comments

  1. Jare

    Ive installed the free version of PC Health Aid and I was disappointed that I needed to buy a paid version...

  2. Maya

    Ive installed it accidentally. Fortunately, its not hard to remove!

  3. Tucker

    I was tricked to install PC Health Aid virus too. Shady distribution method, shady...

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