WeatherBug ads: what it is and how to remove it
WeatherBug is an ad-supported weather app spread through software bundling that displays intrusive ads during browsing. Uninstalling removes the unwanted advertisements.
Facts checked October 5, 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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WeatherBug ads: summary
| Distribution | While users can install the app on official sources, it is also spread via software bundling |
|---|---|
| Name | WeatherBug |
| Type | Adware |
| Issues | The app is not malicious, although it can bring unwanted advertisements in various forms |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| 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 5 more facts
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps |
|---|---|
| Evidence | One write-up by a security site; details still limited |
| Program | WeatherBug |
| First seen | 11 January 2021 |
| Facts checked | 5 October 2026 |
Is WeatherBug ads dangerous?
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
WeatherBug - a weather app with unwanted side effects
WeatherBug (can also be found as Weather Bug) is an ad-supported program that has been actively spread with the help of bundling.
Of course, there are hundreds of people who have installed this application as a useful tool that can be used for receiving weather forecasts and similar information.
Nevertheless, you may discover that WeatherBug is typical adware capable of tracking your browsing activity and then displaying commercial advertisements that are usually selected according to it. Regardless of which version of the app you use (phone or desktop), your browsing routine might be interrupted with ads on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or another web browser.
As soon as WeatherBug is installed on the computer, it would change the settings of all the installed web browsers in the background. As a result, users might observe the following types of ads during their browsing sessions:
If you don't like to see commercial pop-up ads that show up in the form of browser ads, in-text links, banner ads, etc., you should avoid WeatherBug adware. Besides, it seems that this program can also cause redirects to its affiliate websites.
That's why these commercial pop-up notifications are displayed for. If you don't want to be rerouted to unknown, questionable, and even unsafe websites, you should avoid WeatherBug ads. In fact, you should remove programs that are causing such ads during your browsing sessions because this is the easiest way to protect yourself from unwanted content.
Beware that this program can be installed either manually or in a bundle with other programs. Also, there are lots of free applications that can be used for promoting it. If you want to avoid them, you need to know about several tips that will be revealed in the next paragraph of this post.
Finally, you should remove WeatherBug from your computer because it may cause lots of unwanted activities on it. For best results, also perform a full system scan with .
- commercial pop-ups
- in-text links
- auto-play
- banners
- video ads, etc.
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on WeatherBug
- If something malicious was found, employ after virus elimination to fix potential damage caused to system files
- If you are about to install such an application, make sure you select the Custom or Advanced installation option and then uncheck pre-checked check marks that are stating that you want to install browser add-ons, extensions, plugins, toolbars, and similar components on your computer.
How to remove WeatherBug ads
How to remove the WeatherBug extension
Do the browser steps in every browser and profile on the PC, then check Windows for the program that installed the extension.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
WeatherBug often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:
chrome://extensionsedge://extensions- Extensions and themes in Firefox
Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.
Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Uninstall WeatherBug
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10. Sort the list by install date and find WeatherBug, 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 3: Reset the browser
Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
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.
Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).
Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.
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 Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
PUPs are spread via software bundles - here's how to avoid them
As we have already mentioned, this program can be installed manually, but it can also be bundled with other programs.
In most cases, the app is bundled with the following:
They all are involved in such activity in exchange for money, so you should never hesitate and check each of them before their installation. If WeatherBugs has already infiltrated your computer, you should think about what freeware have you just installed on it.
If WeatherBug infiltrates the system, it starts running on every Windows startup and starts causing its ads, banners, and similar content. If you want to avoid such interrupting things, you need to use the guide below and remove this adware from your computer.
While this program has been spread with the uninstaller, we can't guarantee that it will help you eliminate all suspicious components. That's why we believe that you should opt for automatic removal of WeatherBug adware.
- PDF creators
- media players
- video streaming software
- system optimizers, etc.
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
Remove WeatherBug from your device
WeatherBug virus is not a correct term to describe this program as, according to our research, it does not perform malicious tasks on the system.
However, as it might be spread via a deceptive distribution technique known as bundling and introduce a variety of ads into users' browsing routine, it is considered to be an adware app.
If you have never uninstalled programs before, you can find detailed instructions on how to do that below. It is also advisable to clean web browser data and cookies to prevent further tracking activities.
After WeatherBug removal, you should also initiate a full system scan with powerful anti-malware, as there could be other PUPs or even malware running in the background without your knowledge.
Questions about WeatherBug ads
What is WeatherBug?
WeatherBug is an ad-supported weather application available on desktop and mobile devices that claims to provide weather forecasts and related information. While available from official sources, the application has been extensively spread through software bundling—a deceptive distribution method where WeatherBug is secretly included with other freeware installations.
Users who intentionally install WeatherBug from legitimate sources may discover it behaves like adware capable of tracking browsing activity and displaying commercials selected based on that activity.
The app has evolved beyond simple weather functionality to include advertising features that disrupt user experience. WeatherBug is not inherently malicious like trojans or worms, but its advertising behavior and bundling distribution make it unwanted by most users.
What advertisements does WeatherBug display?
WeatherBug displays various types of advertisements throughout your browsing sessions including pop-up ads, in-text links, and banner advertisements. These ads appear while you use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or other web browsers, interrupting your normal browsing experience. The app may also cause redirects to its affiliate websites, which constitute another revenue stream for developers.
Commercial pop-up notifications appear constantly when browsing, and some ads contain offers tailored to your recent search history, indicating behavioral tracking is active. If you prefer not to see these commercial pop-up ads in various forms, you should uninstall WeatherBug to restore normal browsing. Removing the application is the most effective way to stop unwanted ad displays.
How does WeatherBug spread?
WeatherBug spreads primarily through software bundling, where the application is secretly bundled with other free programs from third-party download sites. When users install freeware without careful attention to the installation process, they unknowingly approve WeatherBug installation through pre-ticked checkboxes and fine print. The installation dialog uses tricks like misplaced buttons and deceptive wording to hide optional components.
While users can install WeatherBug manually from official sources, this voluntary installation is far less common than bundled infiltration. The developers admit in their FAQ that the application appears on computers without direct user permission through bundled distribution, a practice widely used by software makers to monetize free software offerings.
Is WeatherBug malicious?
No, WeatherBug is not malicious in the sense of carrying destructive capabilities like trojans or ransomware. According to research, it does not perform malicious tasks that corrupt files, steal credentials, or damage systems. However, WeatherBug should still be removed because it spreads through deceptive bundling and introduces numerous unwanted advertisements into browsing sessions.
Its ad-supported model means the primary purpose is generating revenue through commercial content rather than providing genuine utility. The application may collect browsing activity data and participate in pay-per-click advertising schemes. While technically classified as adware rather than malware, the practical impact—intrusive ads, privacy violations, and unwanted behavior—makes removal advisable for most users seeking a clean browsing experience.
How do I uninstall WeatherBug?
On Windows, open Control Panel and select Uninstall a program under Programs section. Find WeatherBug from the list, right-click, and select Uninstall. If a confirmation prompt appears, click Yes to proceed.
Wait for the uninstallation to complete and click OK when finished. For Mac users, select Go > Applications, locate WeatherBug, click on it, and drag it to Trash or right-click and select Move to Trash.
The uninstaller typically removes the main application but may leave behind some remnant files or registry entries. After uninstalling, restart your computer to ensure all WeatherBug processes stop running. Check your browser extensions and installed programs to remove any related components that installed alongside WeatherBug.
What if WeatherBug won't uninstall?
If the standard uninstaller doesn't work, try using Safe Mode to uninstall WeatherBug with minimal other programs running that might interfere. Restart your computer and boot into Safe Mode before attempting uninstallation.
Some adware uses tricks to prevent normal uninstallation and remains installed even after running the uninstaller. In these cases, run specialized antimalware software that can detect and remove stubborn adware components. These tools scan your system comprehensively and remove files and registry entries associated with WeatherBug.
Perform the scan from Safe Mode when possible, as this prevents the adware from running and interfering with removal. After successful removal, restart in normal mode and verify the application no longer appears in your programs list or browser.
Should I scan my computer after removing WeatherBug?
Yes, absolutely. After removing WeatherBug, perform a comprehensive system scan using reputable antimalware software to identify any other potentially unwanted programs or malware that may have installed alongside it. Bundled software often contains multiple unwanted applications, and WeatherBug may not have been the only thing installed during the bundled installation.
Scanning helps identify any adware, potentially unwanted programs, or malware present on your system. Use software that can detect and remove PUPs, adware, and browser hijackers. A full system scan after WeatherBug removal ensures your computer is clean and helps restore system performance that may have degraded due to multiple ad-supported programs.
How do I avoid installing WeatherBug in the future?
When installing free software, always select Custom or Advanced installation options instead of Quick or Recommended settings. In the custom installation window, carefully review all included components and uncheck any boxes related to WeatherBug, browser add-ons, extensions, plugins, or toolbars.
Read the privacy policy and terms of use before installation to understand what information the software will collect. Research programs before installing them by reading reviews on trusted websites and checking ratings.
Avoid downloading from third-party sites like cnet.com, softonic.com, and similar sources that frequently bundle unwanted programs with legitimate software. Download programs directly from developers' official websites when possible. After installation, monitor your computer for unexpected changes to browser settings, new ads, or unfamiliar programs.
Will Fortect remove WeatherBug?
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 WeatherBug, 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
- Google Chrome Help: Use notifications to get alerts (no longer online) (read October 5, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 5, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 5, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 5, 2026)