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  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Malware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · May 2020

How to remove Pc Optimizer Pro

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

Jake Doevan · Computer technology expert

PC Optimizer Pro is a fake tool that will make many promises to optimize or protect your computer but will fail in all of them

PC Optimizer Pro virus

PC Optimizer Pro is a rogue system optimizer that is often classified as malware[1]. This virus claims to be a legitimate program, which is capable of increasing the security of the system and protecting the computer. Nevertheless, you should not take these words for granted because they are very misleading and may even lead you to the loss of your money.

PC Optimizer Pro is related to another program called Fake Antivirus. These products are FAKE and you should never buy them. Yes, that's what they seek. How do they do that? In most of the cases, they rely on misleading tactics that seek to scare PC users and then to make them purchase their full or licensed versions[2].

That's why this program starts scanning the system as soon as it gets installed on the system. Usually, it spreads via software bundling, so it is likely that you won't remember the moment it got installed. After hijacking the system, the PC Optimizer Pro virus states that some of the legal and essential Windows files are infected. In order to get the ability to remove them, you are supposed to purchase its licensed version.

However, that's what we don't recommend because it's a straight way to the money loss. All these alerts, warnings, and found infections are fake. Please do not purchase this program. Here are the examples of PC Optimizer Pro warnings:

Attention
Suspicious software activity is detected by PC Optimizer Pro on your computer.
Please start system files scanning for details.

Warning!
Name: taskmgr.exe
Name: C:\WINDOWS\taskmgr.exe

If you are still not convinced to remove the described scareware program, we want to suggest reading PC Optimizer Pro reviews online. You will find dozens of forums discussing questionable functionalities of the software. Besides, you can even find some YouTube videos with recorded conversations with the rogue program's “support” team.

We believe that user reviews and these videos will convince you to uninstall PC Optimizer Pro – we are not the only ones who claim that the software is rogue and highly untrustworthy. According to dieviren.de[3], many German-speaking computer users got their computers compromised by this rogue system tool. 

PC Optimizer Pro site

Techniques used to promote rogue system optimizers and ways to protect your PC from them

This described rogue program is mostly distributed through infected websites and through the use of other dangerous computer programs. Below, you can find some tips that will help you to avoid installing it on your system.

  • In order to avoid it, you have to stay away from illegal websites and download updated anti-spyware, which could help you to detect all suspicious programs before their infiltration.
  • Finally, we would like to recommend you avoiding fake alerts that are either trying to check your computer for free or to update some of your programs. You can encounter such pop-ups and ads on certain web pages while browsing the web.

Once this PC optimizer Pro enters the computer, it may try to block other applications on your computer and tell that they are infected. In addition, this program may try to change browser settings, connect itself to the internet, stay resident in the background and block access to legitimate anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.

Unfortunately, the PC Optimizer Pro removal process is quite a difficult task, so if you do not have enough knowledge of the computer system, it is better to remove this virus automatically.

Your questions about the suspicious optimizer answered

Question. I have just found a suspicious system optimizer on my computer and I know that I have never installed it. Could this be that PC Optimizer Pro is a virus that infiltrated my computer behind my back?

PC Optimizer Pro is a seriously deceptive application, which seeks to swindle people's money. It is known that it has been spread similarly to other fake optimizers, which means that there is no surprise that it showed up on your computer without downloading it.

Typically, such programs are spread using fake pop-up ads, software bundles, trojans, and other deceptive methods. If you have just discovered that optimizer on your computer, don't waste your time and scan your computer with updated anti-spyware because it can easily cause additional problems on your computer. We recommend using automatic removal of this shady optimization tool.

Question. As soon as I turn on my computer, the PC Optimizer Pro scanner starts checking my computer. Typically, it finds several hundreds of PC errors and other issues. However, I can't fix them without purchasing this program. Should I do that?

Please, do NOT pay for PC Optimizer Pro malware because it's a fake computer optimization tool! If you really want to check your computer for issues, you should download another reputable anti-spyware because PC OptimizerPro is a fake optimizer that is seeking the only thing – swindle people's money. In order to protect your computer and data that you keep on it, you should eliminate this program from your computer.

Question. Help me, I am infected with a virus! I googled “What is PC Optimizer Pro” and now I know that it's a dangerous program but I don't know how to delete it. Could you give me a detailed guide for the full removal of PCOptimizerPro?

Yes, you are infected with a seriously suspicious program, which should never be purchased. If you want to remove PC Optimizer Pro and each of its file, you should download a trustworthy anti-spyware like FortectIntego. Make sure you update it before running a full system scan and you will remove each of malicious files that are related to the virus.

Question. I was browsing on the Internet when a huge warning message showed up. It offered me to check my computer for errors and I clicked on it. Now I am suffering from PC Optimizer Pro alerts offering me to purchase its license. The main problem is that I can't remove this malware because it fails to appear in the Programs list.

Unfortunately, but you have been tricked by hackers who are using such deceptive techniques for spreading their viruses. In this case, you should run a full system scan with updated anti-spyware and remove malicious files from it. If you want to be sure that PC Optimizer Pro is not hiding in your system's background, you should perform a system scan using a reputable security product.

Question. Could you help me to figure out whether PC Optimizer Pro is malicious or not? I was going to purchase its license for improving my computer's performance.

Please, do NOT pay for PC Optimizer Pro's license because it's a fake system optimization tool! No matter what is promised by its developers, they are promoting a useless program, which can even be used for stealing personal people's information. If you want to protect yourself, you should eliminate PCOptimizerPro from your computer. You can do that with the help of FortectIntego.

Remove PC Optimizer Pro and have no doubts about it

If you think you are infected with the described system optimization “virus” but you do not know how to remove PC Optimizer Pro properly, we suggest you follow the instructions provided below. For a faster and easier removal, run a full system scan with FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes.

These programs will help you to get rid of all malicious files that can be found on your computer. If you decided to go for a manual PC Optimizer Pro removal option, remember that this won't guarantee that all suspicious files and dangerous programs will leave your computer. However, you must follow the steps provided below to obliterate the shady software for good.

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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