Secure PC Cleaner Unwanted Application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Secure PC Cleaner?
The developers state that Secure PC Cleaner is the best registry cleaner and optimizer to clean the Windows Registry and improve overall PC performance. Judging by the description, this may seem to be a useful application, but developers distribute it using the "bundling" method.
Therefore, users often install Secure PC Cleaner inadvertently and it is thus classified as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).
Secure PC Cleaner's main function is to detect and fix various Windows Registry, system/user, and startup/uninstall-related errors. These might be slowing down the operating system or causing other problems. It is likely that once a scan performed by Secure PC Cleaner, it will list some (or many) registry errors.
These could be legitimate, however, most applications distributed using the "bundling" method do not fix problems until 'full versions' are purchased. Furthermore, apps installed via bundling often display fake results to trick users into paying for so-called 'full versions'. Secure PC Cleaner might be one of these rogue apps.
Furthermore, in some cases (even when full versions are purchased), they provide no real value, other than 'fixing' fake issues that do not exist in the first place.
"Bundling" is often used to distribute several applications at once and, therefore, Secure PC Cleaner might be installed together with other potentially unwanted applications such as browser hijackers or/and adware-type apps, which cause unwanted redirects, deliver ads, and collect information.
We recommend that you uninstall Secure PC Cleaner and check for any unwanted/unknown apps installed on your system. If found, remove them immediately.
| Name | Secure PC Cleaner potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application) |
| Symptoms | A program that you don't recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. New application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about found issues. Asks for payment in order to eliminate the supposedly found errors. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Monetary loss (unnecessary purchase of fake software), unwanted warning pop-ups, slow computer performance. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
The internet is full of potentially unwanted applications, most of which are very similar. Generally, developers attempt to give the impression of legitimacy by promoting these PUAs as 'useful', capable of providing tools and features, however, few provide the functionality promised.
Most generate revenue for their developers by collecting data, delivering ads, causing unwanted redirects, and promoting in-app purchases. Other apps similar to Secure PC Cleaner are SweepTools PC Cleaner, Cosmos System Care, and Swift PC Optimizer.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
"Bundling" often tricks users into installing potentially unwanted applications. Software developers achieve this by hiding PUAs in "Advanced", "Custom" (or other similar) sections of the installation processes. Information about PUAs (that are bundled into set-ups of other software) is not properly disclosed.
Furthermore, many users do not check these settings and skip installation steps, thus causing inadvertent installations of PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Avoid using third party software installers and downloaders, torrents, unofficial and untrustworthy sources to download software. Use only official sources/websites and direct links. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings/options when installing software, especially if the software is free.
Opt-out of unwanted apps (additional software, etc.) and only then complete the installation. Note that cyber criminals time and invest money in advertisement design and they often seem legitimate. Once clicked, however, they redirect users to untrustworthy/potentially malicious websites.
If you encounter ads that redirect you to pornography, gambling, adult dating, or other untrustworthy websites, check installed add-ons, extensions, and plug-ins on your browser for unknown/unwanted or suspicious entries and remove them immediately. Also apply this to programs installed on your computer.
If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Screenshot of Secure PC Cleaner application:
Secure PC Cleaner installation 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 Secure PC Cleaner?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove malicious plug-ins 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 "Secure PC Cleaner" and other 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:
At time of research, Secure PC Cleaner did not install any unwanted browser extensions, however, some unwanted applications are installed together with adware and browser hijackers. If you see unwanted ads or experience unwanted redirects when browsing the internet, continue with the removal guide below.
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 secure pc cleaner 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 secure pc cleaner 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 secure pc cleaner 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 secure pc cleaner 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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Outstanding!
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