PC Health Boost. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
PC Health Boost is a questionable program which does not deliver the promised services
PC Health Boost is a questionable system optimization tool which can swindle money from unsuspecting users without providing the promised services.
PC Health Boost is a fraudulent system optimization software which claims to repair PC registry errors and improve computer's performance. However, experts note that this is a potentially unwanted program (PUP)[1] which does not deliver the promised services. In fact, users are provided with modified and exaggerated system scan results to trick them into paying for the unnecessary computer fix.
| Name | PC Health Boost |
|---|---|
| Type | System tools |
| Sub-type | Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) |
| Danger level | Medium. Doesn't initiate system changes |
| Symptoms | Users are provided with numerous fake notifications about PC errors |
| Distribution | You can install this software from the official website or it can stealthily enter the system in a bundle with freeware |
| Removal | We advise you to use a reliable security tool, like Reimage, to not only uninstall PC Health Boost but also maintain your computer's security |
Either you installed PC Health Boost intentionally, or it sneaked into your system via software-bundles, its trial version starts scanning the system as soon as it is installed on the system and shows a quite informative pop-up[2] notification that identifies various PC problems.
PC Health Boost scan results might display messages which urge you to fix or get rid of the following items:
- Damaged DLLs;
- Expired cache files;
- Potentially dangerous entries;
- Errors related to COM and ActiveX controls.
In order to fix them, people are asked to purchase a PC Health Boost license key. Even though this application is legitimate, users report that it does not improve computer's performance. Likewise, online forums are filled with PC Health Boost review requests as people are wondering whether this application is useful.
One of the most common questions asked is the following — is PC Health Boost safe? Our security researchers note that this potentially unwanted program (PUP) is not malicious itself. Although, professionals find its distribution techniques and tactics to increase profits highly unfair from the standpoint of regular computer users.
Click 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, click on 'Add/Remove Programs').
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'.
Right click on each of suspicious entries and select 'Uninstall'
Cick 'Go' and select 'Applications'
Click on every malicious entry and select 'Move to Trash'
Click on menu icon and select 'Manage add-ons'
Right click on each of malicious entries and select 'Disable'
Delete malicious URL, enter your desired domain name and click 'Apply' to save changes
Go to 'Advanced' tab and click on 'Reset' button. Now select 'Delete personal settings' and click on 'Reset' button again
Go to Settings and select 'Choose what to clear'
Select 'Clear' button
Open the start menu and select 'Task Manager'
Right-click 'Microsoft Edge' and select 'Go to details'
Select 'More details' if 'Go to details' option fails to show up
Find Microsoft Edge entries and select 'End Task'
Go to Microsoft Edge folder on your computer, right-click every entry and click 'Delete'
Find Windows PowerShell, right-click it and select 'Run as administrator'
Copy and paste a required command and press 'Enter'
Click on menu icon and select 'Add-ons'
Select 'Extensions' and look for malicious entries. Click 'Remove' to get rid of each of them
Click on menu icon and then on '?'. Select 'Troubleshooting Information'
Click on 'Reset Firefox' button for a couple of times
Click on menu icon. Select 'Tools' and 'Extensions'
Look for malicious entries and delete each of them by clicking on the Trash bin icon
When in 'Settings', select 'Manage search engines...'
Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
When in 'Settings', scroll down to 'Reset browser settings' button and click on it
Click on 'Reset' button to complete your removal
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Preferences'
Go to 'Extensions' and uninstall malicious add-ons
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Reset Safari...'
Select all options and click on 'Reset' button
Therefore, we advise you to perform PC Health Boost uninstall and search for more reliable tools online. Be aware that if you get another system optimization software which is effective, you will notice the difference between the scan results of PC Health Boost and the other one — there will be a significantly lower number of errors detected.
For all the reasons mentioned above, our researchers suggest you remove PC Health Boost and use more reliable tools to improve your computer's performance. You can install Reimage for both, PC Health Boost removal and your system's security. Additionally, you can find manual PUP elimination guidelines at the end of this article.
You can install PUPs intentionally, or they might sneak into your system
We are aware that not all computer users might be able to identify potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and end up intentionally installing them from their official websites. Usually, developers create attractive pages with compelling descriptions to lure people into believing the effectiveness of the software. However, the contrivers also employ less fair tactics to distribute PUPs, and one of them is known as bundling.
This popular marketing method is developed to spread two applications as one. Thus, in some of the cases, you may download this program in a bundle with freeware and shareware. If you want to avoid unexpected downloads, make sure that you choose Custom or Advanced installation of the free downloads.
Be aware that you will be suggested to complete the installation with Basic, Recommended or Quick mode. However, these settings will skip the steps where you are asked whether you want additional components to be installed together with freeware or not. Therefore, you must reject these parameters.
Once you select the correct installation mode, attentively follow all steps of the procedure. Researchers[3] note that you must search for pre-selected elements and opt them out if you want to avoid potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Additionally, use a professional antivirus to double-check your system.
PC Health Boost uninstall guide
Now that you know what is PC Health Boost, you can decide whether you want it on your system or not. In case you have chosen to remove PC Health Boost, you have two options — manual or automatic elimination of the potentially unwanted program (PUP).
Keep in mind that manual PC Health Boost removal might be time-consuming and require to show specific IT knowledge. Likewise, regular computer users are advised to uninstall PC Health Boost automatically by running a full system scan with a professional malware removal software.
Although, if you believe that you are advanced enough to get rid of PC Health Boost manually, check the instructions at the end of this article. They will guide you through the procedure step-by-step and show how to eliminate all elements which are related to the PUP.
You can remove virus damage automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, Malwarebytes 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 PC Health Boost, follow these steps:
Get rid of PC Health Boost from Windows systems
First, check and delete all suspicious software which has been installed on your Windows computer recently.
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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 PC Health Boost and related programs
Here, look for PC Health Boost or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
Erase PC Health Boost 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 PC Health Boost or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Remove PC Health Boost 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 PC Health Boost and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
-
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.
-
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 PC Health Boost removal.
Delete PC Health Boost 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. -
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, PC Health Boost should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariUninstall PC Health Boost 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 PC Health Boost 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 PC Health Boost removal.
Eliminate PC Health Boost from Google Chrome
If you receive intrusive ads on Chrome which might be related to PC Health Boost, delete all questionable entries and reset your browser.
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select PC Health Boost 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 PC Health Boost removal.
Get rid of PC Health Boost from Safari
PC Health Boost might deliver e-commerce content on Safari. Thus, you should uninstall unknown extensions and plug-ins from your browser right away.
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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 PC Health Boost 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 PC Health Boost removal process.
About the author
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References
- ^ Sabrina Berkenkopf. "Potentially Unwanted Programs": much more than just annoying. G DATA. Best malware protection.
- ^ Pop-up. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.
- ^ BedyNet. BedyNet. Security and Spyware News.
October 11th, 2013 at 10:49 am
Hi Ugnius,
I think that your website is great for the most part, and really appreciate many of the offers that you have affiliate links going to. Even though SpyHunter, MalwareBytes, and StopZilla are our competitors, we like their software and would never defame an honest and hardworking company like them. In fact, weve worked side by side with StopZilla on several occasions and dont know if theyd appreciate us being reported as an “unwanted application”. I hope that having you as an affiliate works out to be a great asset to them. I can tell that you are making an earnest effort.
You might even want to consider becoming one of our affiliates. We offer a $150 bonus for your first 5 sales and up to 90% commissions after you hit a certain level of sales. Email me at erin@boostsoftware.com for more info.
This article claims that our program does a lot of things that it doesnt such as:
* being a fake program
* fake warnings
* being a parasite and installing w/out permission (we never do that)
* bundling (never do that). If you have found it bundled somewhere, please let us know because this is a serious violation of out TOC.
* fake scan, we use scan safe technology(TM)
Please note that you are also violating our trademark agreements by having the photo of our software up here without our explicit permission.
Please take this down immediately. It is false and slanderous to our company.
If you would like to provide removal instructions, that is fine as long as it doesnt violate our Trademarks. However, please refrain from calling our product a parasite or even insinuating that it is.
Sincerely,
Erin Walsh, Director of Public Relations
erin@boostsoftware.com
October 14th, 2013 at 7:39 am
Hello Erin,
We have altered our post about PC Health Boost according to some of your notes. However, we cant agree with another part of your statements. Here are they:
First of all, have never called your program a virus, malware or fake program.
Secondly, we’ve never mentioned about FAKE warnings and FAKE scan. Of course, the frequency of your program’s alerts have initiated some doubts for us that it seeks to push user into purchasing the license.
Thirdly, our users have recently contacted us asking about your product’s appearance on their computers without downloading it there. In fact, there are many discussions on the Internet reporting about this issue. Please, check the link: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-windows_programs/is-pc-healthboost-a-legitimate-microsoft-partner/952afe36-1d46-4c2c-9513-7f62f3eded22
Finally, the screenshot was made by our research team, so we dont have to ask your explicit permission for using it on our site.
Sincerely,
2spyware
December 12th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
Wow i guess boost got a little hot under the collar there but then tried to convince you to come over to the dark side. Admit it Boost, your software is just another piece of junk software that tells the users they have all kinds of problems and scares them into buying it. I guess the properly tag would be scareware. I remove this crap all day long at our shop from clients computers and your software is just another of the thousands that are out there that try to scare customers into buying your software. Total scam.
September 25th, 2014 at 2:30 pm
How do you remove it. Everytime I go to uninstall, instead of uninstalling, it takes me through to setup of the program again. So frustrating and taking up way more time than I ever wanted to spend on it
January 29th, 2014 at 12:23 am
PC HealthBoost will not uninstall from Windows XP Professional SrvPck 3 through control panel or its own uninstall. How do I remove it?
April 5th, 2014 at 7:25 am
Installed PCHealth Boost 4/3/14. Removed it hours later for several reasons; am left with a fragment Startup and I cannot get rid of it. Please instruct me how.
Thank you.
July 6th, 2014 at 3:57 am
So pissed takin hammer to computer after typing this line. PC Health Boost Sucks!!!!! Scam bad business. Owner should hide.
September 14th, 2014 at 12:24 am
I have the same issues these others have It wont go away and I think it is messing up my computer
October 7th, 2014 at 12:21 am
I have the same basic complaints about PC Health Boost. If its as good as they claim then why in the world is it so difficult to uninstall? I have tried several times to uninstall and it puts me in a loop of installing it instead; pretty damn clever of them. If anyone finds an effective way to remove it permanently, please post it for the benefit of all.