Light Cleaner Unwanted Application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Light Cleaner?
According to Light Cleaner's developers, this program is designed to clean Windows Registry. It also works as an optimizer to improve PC performance. There are many programs of this type available and some developers promote them using dubious methods.
In this case, they distribute Light Cleaner using the "bundling" method. Therefore, it is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA). Be aware that most people install PUAs inadvertently.
When installed and opened, Light Cleaner allows users to choose from various 'Scan Options' (as in the screenshot below). Essentially, it scans for various 'problems' relating to Windows Registry. Note, however, that it cannot fix problems/errors, clean broken entries, and so on. The free version is capable only of detecting problems, not fixing them.
Many optimization-oriented PUAs scan systems and often detect a number of so-called 'problems'. The results are usually fake and displayed to encourage people to purchase the full version of the software. It is possible that Light Cleaner is one of these rogue apps - PUAs are often promoted using the aforementioned "bundling" method and operate in this way.
Bundling is commonly used to promote several potentially unwanted apps at once. Therefore, it is possible that during Light Cleaner installation, other programs were downloaded and installed (browser hijackers, adware-type apps, and so on).
Note that PUAs deliver intrusive advertisements (coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, etc.), gather information relating to users' browsing habits, and perform other dubious actions.
Thus, having PUAs of this type installed might lead to problems with browsing safety, privacy, or other even more serious problems such as identity theft. Do not trust apps such as Light Cleaner and uninstall all PUAs immediately.
| Name | Light 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. |
There is a long list of apps very similar to Light Cleaner. Some examples are One Click Booster, Registry Scanner, and Lowe Registry Cleaner.
Potentially unwanted apps are usually promoted as useful, legitimate tools, however, once installed, they deliver none of the features promised, cause various problems, and perform actions that allow the developers to generate revenue. Note that most apps promoted via "bundling" cannot be trusted.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Light Cleaner's developers use a website from which it can be downloaded, however, most people install these apps inadvertently when they click intrusive (dubious) ads displayed on deceptive/untrustworthy websites, or during download/installation of software when developers use the "bundling" method.
Bundling is used to trick people into installing/downloading PUAs together with other software that they download intentionally. Any information relating to the inclusion (bundling) of PUAs into software download/installation set-ups is usually hidden in "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings.
Many people download or install software without paying attention to the details and without checking available options. In doing so, they grant permission to install/download unwanted apps.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download software using official/trustworthy websites (or other sources) and avoid using third party software downloaders (and installers), torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), unofficial websites, and so on. Check all available "Advanced", "Custom" and other sections of software download or installation setups.
Deselect offers to install or download unwanted software. Do not click intrusive ads, since they often cause redirects to untrustworthy websites (gambling, pornography, adult dating etc.). If you experience unwanted redirects or intrusive ads, check for new/unwanted plug-ins, add-ons, and extensions installed on the browser or suspicious programs on the computer.
Remove all suspicious, unwanted browser apps and computer programs immediately. 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 Light Cleaner application:
Light 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 Light 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 "Light 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 the time of research Light Cleaner did not install any unwanted browser extensions. However note that some unwanted applications can be installed together with adware and browser hijackers. If you see unwanted ads or get 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 light 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 light 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 light 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 light 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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on light cleaner potentially unwanted application or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion