VirtualDesktopKeeper (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - Virus Removal Instructions
VirtualDesktopKeeper Removal Guide
What is VirtualDesktopKeeper?
VirtualDesktopKeeper can ruin your web browsing experience
VirtualDesktopKeeper is an adware[1] program, which is distributed via free software packages. Its purpose is to generate intrusive advertisements within Chrome, IE, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and other web browsers to make people visit affiliate websites. Unlike other infamous adware programs, the virus is not promoted appealingly and can hardly be found anywhere else except attached to various freeware. If people install it unintentionally, it injects itself into Windows Startup, starts running several processes within task manager, and can even connect to the Internet automatically.
Name | VirtualDesktopKeeper |
---|---|
Type | Adware, PUP |
Danger | The content that this program delivers is related to various third parties, users may be exposed to dangerous online material |
Distribution | Freeware bundling is mainly used to spread around PUPs like this |
Removal | You shouldn't hesitate and run an anti-malware tool for the proper PUP removal procedure |
Repair | Make sure to run FortectIntego and fix any damage that the system already experienced |
All activities held by the VirtualDesktopKeeper virus are potentially malicious, and we will try to explain to you why. In their nature, adware programs are not malicious. Malicious can be the commercial partners that seek to use adware's service to inject ads into web browsers.
Therefore, it's essential to avoid interaction with intrusive ads. Apart from being irritating, these ads can redirect your web browser to malicious web domains[2] with malicious content. The advertisements generated by the adware might include:
- Software updates;
- Shopping deals;
- Price comparisons;
- Coupons;
- Free software trials, etc.
VirtualDesktopKeeper removal should not be postponed due to the risk of information leakage. As we have already pointed out, this potentially unwanted program (PUP) can connect to the Internet automatically. It may do so for one simple reason – to activate cookies and accumulate browsing-related data.
If you are not willing to disclose URLs, search queries, clicks, and other interactions on the web, you should rush to remove the adware. It is not useful or valuable to your machines= since its only purpose is to show ads and cause redirects.
The adware can flood web browsers with intrusive pop-up ads and cause browser's redirects to potentially dangerous websites
Although it's possible to get rid of the app in a usual way, we would highly recommend you to use programs like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. Adware programs are often bundled with other PUPs, so the removal of one component may not solve the problem of advertising, redirects, and similar inconveniences.
Adware sneaks into PCs as an attachment of freeware
Inexperienced PC users end up with adware infection quite easily. All they have to do is to download free programs without checking the terms carefully.
Freeware bundling is a legitimate software distribution method; however, it is often misused for the distribution of adware, browser hijacker, and other malware. Therefore, it's vital to install free programs with extreme carefulness. Security experts urge people to remember these simple freeware installation tips:
- Rely on trusted download sources only;
- Double-check if the program you opt for installing is not malware itself;
- Always select Advanced or Custom installation method;
- Read the terms carefully and unmark pre-checked attachments (add-ons, toolbars, extensions).
- Regularly update your antivirus program and keep it enabled during freeware installation.
The quickest way to uninstall VirtualDesktopKeeper adware
VirtualDesktopKeeper is a useless application, which won't provide any useful features. Contrary, it may diminish web browser performance, increase app launching time, generate intrusive advertisements, and perform other irritating activities.
According to BedyNet.ru experts,[3] a reliable uninstaller hasn't been developed yet and probably won't be. Therefore, it's advisable to eliminate it automatically with the help of a professional anti-malware program. It will remove the adware from Chrome, Firefox, IE, and other web browsers, as well as fully check the system for other PUPs.
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 VirtualDesktopKeeper. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
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 VirtualDesktopKeeper 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 adware
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
- ^ How to remove adware. 2-Spyware. The highest-quality information about malware and general security.
- ^ Dan Goodin. Here’s why the epidemic of malicious ads grew so much worse last year. Ars Technica. Publication devoted to technology.
- ^ Jake Doevan. БЕЗОПАСНОСТЬ И НОВОСТИ О ВИРУСАХ. BedyNet. Cyber security news.