Skip to content
  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Spyware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Jan 2017

How to remove WinSAPSvc virus

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

What is known about WinSAPSvc virus?

While users call it WinSAPSvc virus, security specialists inform that it’s just a potentially unwanted program (PUP)[1]. Hence, it means that this program cannot harm and damage your computer or encrypt your files. However, PUPs might make your computer’s security weaker or lead to some privacy-related issues. Hence, keeping it on the computer is not recommended. When you notice this suspicious application, you should run a full system scan with reputable and professional malware removal software. We recommend initiating WinSAPSvc removal with FortectIntego; however, feel free to choose your preferred tool as well. Talking about purpose about this cyber infection, we cannot say much. It’s still a mystery for virus researchers. Though, we can reveal some of its features. Usually, it spreads along with the adware program[2], and after infiltration, WinSAPSvc Windows service PUP transfers some information to adware distribution network. This information includes infected computer’s status, default language, hard drive identifier, and other details.

Collected information might be used for many reasons. However, WinSAPSvc relationship with adware programs suggests that this data can be used for marketing reasons[3]. Adware programs are known as deceptive online marketing tools that floods affected browsers with pop-ups, in-text ads, banners and other types of online ads. Collecting information about users allows delivering target ads. That means that ads are created and delivered based on your recently visited websites, latest search queries, other clicked ads, and similar browsing-related information. However, why WinSAPSvc PUP helps adware to gather this information. Sometimes developers of the adware programs sell this aggregated information to the third-party companies. It doesn’t sound satisfying, right? Hence, remove WinSAPSvc from the computer without hesitation.

Image of WinSAPSvc virus

How did this PUP end up on my PC?

The so-called WinSAPSvc virus spreads like any other potentially unwanted program – attached to freeware or shareware. Hence, when you install some free programs from the Internet, you should be careful. Always chose reliable online sources and avoid downloading software from unknown file-sharing networks[4] or Torrents[5]. However, installing program from the official and legitimate website is not enough. To avoid WinSAPSvc hijack, you have to opt for the right and safe installation mode. Bear in mind that we do not talk about “Quick,” “Recommended” or “Standard” settings. They do not inform about additional applications that might be attached to the software package. You can only rely on Advanced or Custom options and carefully follow each step. During the installation, you might encounter the list of pre-selected extra applications. Therefore, deselect these applications and continue the installation. Additionally, we want to remind that before installing new programs you have to read License Agreement or other official documents provided by the developers. They might disclose some important information, for example, that by installing the necessary software, you agree to install some extra applications as well. It goes without saying that you should not agree with these statements and do not install the program.

Help me to remove WinSAPSvc virus!

First of all, we want to remind that you are dealing with a potentially unwanted program, not a virus. Hence, PUPs removal is quite simple and can be initiated manually. However, we recommend opting for the automatic method because it’s simple and time-saving option. All you have to do is to install anti-malware program, update it and run a full system scan. Within several minutes your chosen tool will remove WinSAPSvc from the device. Additionally, you can try to find and delete this cyber parasite manually. However, you may need to spend some time to investigate computer’s system and look where this PUP hides. Our team will help you! We have prepared manual WinSAPSvc removal instructions below. Feel free to follow them!

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

Did this guide help?

2 comments

  1. Jeson

    What a suspcious application

  2. Roland

    How can I suspect that this PUP is on my PC?

Spyware News
Privacy preferences

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze traffic. Some cookies enable embedded content like videos and social posts. Choose what you allow — you can change this anytime.