How to remove Auto PC Cleaner PUP

Find and delete Auto PC Cleaner unwanted application in Windows 10/8/7 computer

Threat Summary

Here, you will be guided with easy & recommended ways to find and remove Auto PC Cleaner PUP in Windows computer. Also, you can read about actually what is this rough System tool, what it does, how did you get this infection in computer, and then you can go with our instructions to get rid of it.

According to developers, Auto PC Cleaner is legitimate PC optimization software offers you to find and remove various System threats and making various improvements in computer. However, it is potentially unwanted application (PUA) designed to tricks you into purchasing its license or updated version, and also tricks into installing other PUAs or malware in computer. So, this rough application is removal is necessary.

Auto PC Cleaner delivers bogus System scan results and asks to purchase the activation key

It is rough PC optimization software categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA). This application is presented as able to find and remove malware or viruses in computer and making various enhancements. Once installed, this fake PC optimization software performs System scan, shows the results in user-readable formats but most like all results are fake and issues found presumably imaginary.

In order to delete detected threats or fix the detected issues with this software, it asks you to purchase the activation key or license version of this application to fix and get advanced features. However, they attempt to install some harmful malware like adware, browser hijackers or Trojans in your computer.

For example, once they gain access to your computer by installing browser hijackers, they can make several unwanted changes in browser’s settings. It can change the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URLs of browser with addresses of some fake search engines. Also, it can install some fake BHOs or unwanted extensions in browser to trace your online habits and collect your browsing data or personal data.

Additionally, they can run malicious advertisements campaigns that are designed to redirect you to shady/questionable websites while some malicious ads can run certain scripts to install some other fake security software, PUAs or malware in your computer.

The main motive of attackers behind Auto PC Cleaner PUP is to collect your some sensitive information such as username & password of your various accounts, browser history, search queries, URLs search, IP address, geolocation, banking information and more details.

These collected data can be shared with other attackers or third parties to generate some income from them. They can misuse these collected for illegal purposes like fraudulent purchases or transactions. So, it is important to find and remove Auto PC Cleaner adware in Windows computer as soon as possible to prevent System from further attacks.

How did you get Auto PC Cleaner PUP in Windows computer?

This rough PC Optimization software has official website and can be downloaded from there. Potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) like this and Garbage Cleaner PUP can also be downloaded/installed from other software package as additional offers. This false marketing method of packaging regular or legitimate software with PUAs, adware or malware is known as ‘Software Bundling Method’ – the mostly used mechanism by cybercriminals.

These malicious additions or unnecessary can easily be find and removed in ‘Custom/Advanced/Manual’ settings in software installation setup by unticking their checkboxes. But in case if you ignore terms & conditions given in software installation setup, choose ‘Recommended/Quick/Express’ settings instead of choosing ‘Custom/Advanced/Manual’ settings, then you install all additional programs included in software package into computer and this way, all malicious additional can also be installed.

On other hand, PUAs, adware or malware can also be installed from malicious advertisements that are designed to run certain scripts. So, you should be alert while browsing internet and avoid downloading/installing any applications from unofficial/unknown websites, and stop clicking any hyperlinks/buttons/ads displayed by untrustworthy websites.

System is already infected with Auto PC Cleaner PUP: What next?

Cybercriminals can take advantages of bugs or problems in software installed in your computer, and can install some harmful malware or viruses in your machine. So, you should keep up-to-date all software including Operating System, antivirus software and other software installed in computer.

Updating Operating System and all other software can fix any bugs or problems associated with such software and improve performances as well. So, you should regular check the updates for all software running in your computer.

If System is already infected with this malware, then you can go with our automatic method of malware removal to get rid of it. Automatic method means you can find and remove all threats including latest malware with some powerful antivirus software with just few clicks.

However, you can also go with our manual method offers you to find infections or malicious files in computer manually and then you can delete them. Manual method is time consuming process and requires lots of technical knowledge to implements. So, if you don’t have enough time to implement manual steps, you can go with automatic method.

After System scan is completed, please check if problem is resolved or Auto PC Cleaner related infections are removed, and if not, you can re-scan your computer for malware or viruses with antivirus software to get rid of it. Also, you should keep up-to-date your antivirus software that could helps to find and remove latest malware in computer.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove Auto PC Cleaner:

Remove the related items of Auto PC Cleaner using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing Auto PC Cleaner issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (Auto PC Cleaner) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to Auto PC Cleaner removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter. In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to Auto PC Cleaner still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove Auto PC Cleaner plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”. Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in Auto PC Cleaner removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete Auto PC Cleaner (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications. Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.