Secure PC Cleaner: what it is and how to remove it
Secure PC Cleaner is a system optimizer that is not the right application for speeding up your Windows PC, thus if you are planning to install it, you should not do it. It is regarded as a deceptive app that will try to convince you into purchasing its full version.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Secure PC Cleaner: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Secure PC Cleaner |
| Type | System optimizer |
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 4 more facts
| Evidence | One write-up by a security site; details still limited |
|---|---|
| Program | Secure PC Cleaner |
| First seen | 10 March 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is Secure PC Cleaner safe? Why it is flagged
From our report of Mar 2021 · not reviewed since
Secure PC Cleaner - a fake system optimizer you should not trust
Secure PC Cleaner is a system optimizer that is not the right application for speeding up your Windows PC, thus if you are planning to install it, you should not do it. It is regarded as a deceptive app that will try to convince you into purchasing its full version.
Even if you purchase the license, the application might still show the full list of PC issues that need to be solved. The wisest thing to do is run Secure PC Cleaner removal if the program managed to break into your computer already.
This seemingly useful PC optimizer is just one example of similar deceptive tools. So why is it considered to be useless? Secure PC Cleaner, like other programs of this kind, has a prevalent tendency to terrify you with notifications of a poorly-running computer.
Thus, every scan delivers a list of PC issues that need to be solved. They state that there is no enough free space on the computer or that your device is overfilled with unnecessary temporary files.
However, if you think that Secure PC Cleaner will solve you these issues, you might soon get disillusioned. As soon as the scan is finished, you will see hundreds of alleged issues, with a single button next to them:
Once you click this button, a message emerges suggesting to purchase the full version. Later on, when you do it, you realize that it was a waste of money. After acquiring the full edition, you still see occasional alerts.
After getting irritated by such a hoax, you might call the number provided on the profile of the Secure PC Cleaner virus. The supposed tech support specialist might offer to buy or try beta versions of other programs. Note that the latter applications might become more troublesome than you expect.
They might be supplemented or filled with malignant files, which either cause fake system error messages or stuff your computer with potentially dangerous files. Besides, such conversation might be charged with a highly expensive tariff. To sum up, it would be better to remove Secure PC Cleaner before it causes more troublesome outcomes.
If you need a reliable cleaner for your Windows OS, we highly recommend you try . Along with reliable anti-malware software, you should rarely, if ever, experience any issues while using your device on a regular basis.
How Secure PC Cleaner got installed
From our report of Mar 2021 · not reviewed since
If you were looking for a trustworthy PC optimizer, it is not surprising that you ran into this program.
Alternatively, the program might have slithered into the computer along with legitimate PC cleaners or other OS management tools. In other words, there are two main options how you installed the app:
If you downloaded a new security program from a secondary source, it might have brought Secure PC Cleaner along. Thus, when you chose the "Recommended" installation mode, the attachment containing the program gets installed as well. In order to prevent such infiltration, choose "Custom" mode and then watch out for any unwanted programs hiding in the add-ons.
- Installed it deliberately
- It got on your system within a software bundle without asking for a direct permission.
How to uninstall Secure PC Cleaner
How to remove Secure PC Cleaner
Uninstall it, then remove what keeps it starting with Windows.
Nothing it flagged needs fixing.
Step 1: Uninstall Secure PC Cleaner
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10.
Sort the list by install date and find Secure PC Cleaner, then choose Uninstall from the three-dot menu next to it (in Windows 10, click the entry and then Uninstall).
Remove anything else installed on the same day that you do not recognise, because such programs usually arrive together in one installer. If the uninstaller opens a browser page with an offer or a survey, close it: the program is removed either way.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 2: Remove it from startup
Whatever Secure PC Cleaner installed usually starts with Windows.
Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to Startup apps in Windows 11 or the Startup tab in Windows 10, and disable what you do not know, starting with entries that have an empty Publisher column.
Open file location on the right-click menu shows the file, which helps you decide and tells you what to delete later. Disabling is safe: if something you need stops working, switch it back on.
Full procedure with screenshots: Stop apps from opening at startup On uGetFix
Step 3: Delete the folders left behind
What the uninstaller leaves behind is usually in the user folders. Open File Explorer, switch on View > Show > Hidden items (in Windows 10 View > Hidden items), and go through
%LocalAppData%,%AppData%, %ProgramData% and the two Program Files folders.Sort by Date modified and delete folders that appeared together with the problem and belong to no program you use. Folders with random names that hold
.exe,.dll, .js or .ps1 files are the strongest sign.Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
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 suspicious extensions 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.
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 Remove.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- 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.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
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.
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.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.
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 the unwanted extension and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
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 and Temporary cached files and pages, then click 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.
Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.
Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
From our report of Mar 2021 · not reviewed since
Get rid of Secure PC Cleaner fast
It is easy to remove Secure PC Cleaner manually.
You can find it in the list of Programs and Features or System Apps. However, keep in mind that due to the time when the program resided on your computer, it might have invited other programs.
Thus, it is necessary to eliminate them as well. If you are not used to uninstalling the program daily, and you seem this activity somewhat difficult, use the services of an anti-spyware program to do Secure PC Cleaner removal for you. The latter option is less time-consuming, and the software also deletes all programs which pose a threat to the operating system.
Questions about Secure PC Cleaner
Is Secure PC Cleaner a virus?
Most programs that appear the way Secure PC Cleaner did are not viruses in the strict sense. They are potentially unwanted programs:
- real software that arrives bundled with other downloads and then shows offers
- changes browser settings
- starts with Windows
Some are harmless, some are annoying and a few carry adware. What makes it worth removing is that you did not choose it.
Uninstall it from Installed apps and check the startup list and the browsers for anything added the same day. If it refuses to uninstall or returns after a restart, treat it as more serious and run a Microsoft Defender offline scan.
Secure PC Cleaner came back after I uninstalled it. Why?
Something else is reinstalling it. Common causes are a second program from the same publisher, a scheduled task that downloads it again, or a browser extension that keeps prompting for it. Sort Installed apps by install date and uninstall each entry from the same day that you did not choose.
Then open Task Scheduler and look in the Task Scheduler Library for tasks with updater-style names that you do not recognise. Check Startup apps in Task Manager too. If Secure PC Cleaner still returns, start Windows in Safe Mode, uninstall it there and run a Microsoft Defender offline scan, which looks for loaders that ordinary scans can miss.
Why does my antivirus call Secure PC Cleaner a PUA or PUP?
These labels mean potentially unwanted application or program. They are used for software that is legal but uses deceptive distribution, aggressive ads, misleading claims or a hard removal. Microsoft's PUA categories include advertising software, bundlers, download managers, torrent clients, marketing software and miners.
A PUA detection is a warning, not proof of infection, and you decide whether to keep Secure PC Cleaner. Other vendors use their own labels for the same idea, such as PUP.Optional or not-a-virus. Read more in our guide to potentially unwanted programs.
Can Windows Security remove Secure PC Cleaner?
Often yes, if Potentially unwanted app blocking is on. Microsoft Defender detects many bundled and unwanted programs as PUA, but by default it only blocks them during download in some cases. For a program already installed, uninstall it yourself from Installed apps first, then run a full scan in Windows Security to catch leftovers.
If secure PC Cleaner in the list of installed apps returns after that, run the Microsoft Defender offline scan, which works before Windows starts. Switching on the PUA setting afterwards helps keep similar programs out.
Does Secure PC Cleaner use a lot of resources?
It depends on the program, and no measurements have been published for Secure PC Cleaner. The sign reported is secure PC Cleaner in the list of installed apps. Check for yourself: open Task Manager, find its process and watch the CPU, memory and network columns for a minute while the PC is otherwise idle.
Steady use with nothing open is a strong reason to remove it. Even if it seems light, it may run more processes under other names, so sort Installed apps by date and remove anything else from the same day. Then restart and compare.
The uninstaller for Secure PC Cleaner keeps asking me to stay. Is that normal?
It is a common tactic, not a technical requirement. Uninstallers of unwanted programs often show discounts, warnings that the PC will be at risk, or a choice between "repair" and "remove" designed to confuse. Choose the option that removes the program completely and decline everything else.
If the uninstaller closes without removing anything, end its processes in Task Manager and try again, or use Safe Mode. Check Installed apps afterwards; if Secure PC Cleaner is still listed, the uninstall did not finish.
Can I use Secure PC Cleaner safely?
Yes, if you installed it on purpose and control its settings. Download it only from the publisher's own site, never through a bundle or a portal. After installing, disable automatic start, offers and telemetry, and check that it did not change your search engine or add extensions.
Watch for renewals if you bought a licence, and turn on PUA blocking in Windows Security so that anything it tries to add during updates is stopped. If Secure PC Cleaner keeps pushing payments or offers, it is not worth the trouble.
Is Secure PC Cleaner a virus?
Not in the strict sense. Nothing reported so far shows Secure PC Cleaner copying itself, encrypting files or stealing passwords, which is what security companies mean by a virus.
What people see is secure PC Cleaner in the list of installed apps, which fits an unwanted program: software that arrives bundled with something else and keeps running without being asked for. Many antivirus programs label such software PUP or PUA rather than malware.
That label does not make it harmless. It still uses your PC and connection, may collect data and is often bundled with other programs, so removing it is the right call. Uninstall it from Installed apps, then check startup items and browser settings for its companions.
How do I remove Secure PC Cleaner completely?
Work in three steps. First uninstall it from Settings > Apps > Installed apps, together with anything installed on the same day. Second, remove what restarts it: unknown entries under Settings > Apps > Startup and tasks in Task Scheduler with matching names.
Third, clean the browsers: extensions you did not add and changed search settings. Restart and watch for secure PC Cleaner in the list of installed apps; if it does not come back within a day, the removal is complete.
If it does, run a Microsoft Defender offline scan, which works before Windows starts and finds helpers that hide while the PC runs.
Will Fortect remove Secure PC Cleaner?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Secure PC Cleaner, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)