PC Health Aid Unwanted Application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is PC Health Aid?
According to its developers, the PC Health Aid application achieves 'maximum PC health' by accelerating system performance, stabilizing computer performance, and protecting and securing data.
This app may seem legitimate and useful, but it is classified as potentially unwanted application (PUA), since it is distributed, not only via its official website, but also using the "bundling" marketing method. Therefore, users often install it unintentionally.
PC Health Aid enables a 'free scan' that supposedly finds issues relating to the following areas: system; Com and Active-X; user profile, and; startup and uninstall. Note, however, that these issues cannot be fixed unless users purchase the 'full version' of PC Health Aid.
Many optimization and other similar tool have similar behavior - they offer a free scan, display results (detected issues), and encourage users to purchase their products to proceed with PC optimization or other functions.
Furthermore, they are often distributed using the "bundling" method and display fake results, thus tricking users into purchasing tool that usually provide no real value (even when the 'full version' has been purchased). PC Health Aid is probably one of many apps of this kind. Apps distributed using "bundling" are installed in packs.
Therefore, "bundling" is often used to proliferate several PUAs at once - possibly an app such as PC Health Aid plus a browser hijacker or adware-type app. These unwanted apps are designed to deliver ads, cause unwanted redirects, and collect data. We recommend that you uninstall PC Health Aid and all other PUAs as soon as possible.
| Name | PC Health Aid 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. |
Potentially unwanted applications are prevalent on the internet. They might offer features and be presented as legitimate and useful tools, but most generate revenue for their developers by collecting data, delivering ads, and causing redirects. They provide none of the functionality promised or any other value. Furthermore, some cause browsing safety or privacy problems.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Most potentially unwanted applications have 'official websites' from where they can be downloaded (usually free of charge), however, as we mentioned above, PUAs are often installed without users' knowledge using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Bundling is stealth installation of PUAs with regular third party software.
Software developers often hide PUAs in "Advanced", "Custom" (or similar) settings of the installation dialogs. In summary, information about the presence of PUAs within set-ups is not properly disclosed, thus making it easier for developers to trick users into installing them.
Furthermore, many users skip installation steps without checking available settings, thus allowing PUAs to be installed.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download software (especially if it is free) from trustworthy (official) websites or other sources only. Avoid using third party installers, torrents, and other similar sources. Check all available "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings during the software installation steps. Deselect all additionally-included (bundled) unwanted applications, and only then finish the installation.
Bear in mind that intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, but they are designed by cyber criminals and redirect to gambling, adult dating, survey, and other suspicious sites.
If you encounter these redirects, check for any suspicious add-ons, extensions, and plug-ins installed on your browser and remove them immediately. The same applies to the 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 PC Health Aid application:
PC Health Aid installation setup:
Screenshot of a third party installation setup promoting PC Health Aid:
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 Health Aid?
- 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 "PC Health Aid" 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, PC Health Aid 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 pc health aid 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 health aid 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 health aid 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 health aid 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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