PC CleanUp 2018 Unwanted Application

What is PC CleanUp 2018?

PC CleanUp 2018 is a dubious application that claims to remove computer infections and optimize the system.

Judging on appearance alone, PC CleanUp 2018 may seem legitimate and useful, however, it often infiltrates systems without permission (developers distribute it using the "bundling" method). Therefore, PC CleanUp 2018 is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

The main PC CleanUp 2018 feature is malware removal. Immediately after performing a full system scan, users are presented with a list of potential infections/threats that must be eliminated immediately.

The 'free version' of PC CleanUp 2018 is supposedly incapable of removing the listed malware and, therefore, users are encouraged to purchase an activation key to obtain the 'full version'. It is currently unknown whether PC CleanUp 2018 can be trusted. Be aware that criminals often use "bundling" to proliferate fake anti-virus/anti-spyware suites.

These programs generate false scan results simply to trick users into paying for so-called full versions. Thus, PC CleanUp 2018 might also be a malicious application. You are advised to uninstall this application. Do not pay for the full version.

If you are uncertain as to whether your computer is safe, scan it with another reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite, such as Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows. Note that "PC CleanUp 2018" is often used to distribute several potentially unwanted applications (such as adware and browser hijackers) at once.

There is, thus, a high probability that PC CleanUp 2018 is not the only PUA that has infiltrated the system. Most of these apps deliver intrusive advertisements, cause unwanted redirects, and gather sensitive information. As well as uninstalling PC CleanUp 2018, you should also remove other suspicious applications/browser plug-ins.

PC CleanUp 2018 is very similar to Mac Heal Pro, Mac Purifier, and many others. In fact, all potentially unwanted applications are very similar.

By offering "useful features", these programs attempt to give the impression of legitimacy and trick users to install, however, since PUAs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers, most provide no real value for regular users.

They generate advertisements, cause redirects, record data, and (sometimes) promote in-app purchases, thereby posing a significant threat to your privacy and web browsing safety.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

This potentially unwanted app has an official download/promotion website, however, as mentioned above, PC CleanUp 2018 is promoted using the "bundling" method - stealth installation of potentially unwanted applications together with regular software/apps. Developers do not disclose installation of PUAs properly.

Therefore, all "bundled" apps are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings or other sections of the download/installation processes.

Furthermore, many users are very likely to rush these procedures - behavior that often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted applications. In this way, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent this situation, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs and opt-out additionally-included programs. Remember that software must be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links.

Third party downloaders/installers are monetized using the "bundling" method, and thus using them is not recommended. Potentially unwanted applications are also distributed using intrusive advertisements (which redirect to malicious websites and/or execute scripts that download and install PUAs/malware).

Most of these ads may seem legitimate, however, they often lead to untrustworthy sites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.). As mentioned above, they are usually delivered by adware-type PUAs. If you experience suspicious redirects, uninstall all potentially unwanted applications immediately.

If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

The appearance of "PC CleanUp 2018" PUA (GIF):

Official PC CleanUp 2018 PUA website:

Official PC CleanUp 2018 PUA installer setup:

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is PC CleanUp 2018?
• STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Removal of potentially unwanted applications:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the pc cleanup 2018 potentially unwanted application, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the pc cleanup 2018 potentially unwanted application, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with pc cleanup 2018 potentially unwanted application removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the pc cleanup 2018 potentially unwanted application, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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