How to remove PC Mechanic Plus

What is PC Mechanic Plus?

PC Mechanic Plus software supposedly fixes the registry, cleans junk files, removes broken shortcuts and items that might cause problems with privacy and security.

It is advertised as a system optimizer, however, PC Mechanic Plus developers distribute it by including it into the download and/or installation set-ups of other software. People often download and install these programs unintentionally. For this reason, PC Mechanic Plus is classified as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

PC Mechanic Plus allows users to scan the system for various errors, issues, and so on, however, they cannot be fixed or removed with the trial version. To perform any further actions, users must activate PC Mechanic Plus by paying for the 'full version'.

Programs that are classified as PUAs often provide fake results. I.e., they try to trick users into paying for activation. It is unknown whether PC Mechanic Plus generates fake results and 'fixes' fabricated errors, issues, etc., however, many PUAs have this behavior.

These programs are commonly distributed together with other PUAs - developers often include more than one PUA into the download or installation setup. They use this distribution method to trick people into downloading and/or installing various browser hijackers, adware, and other PUAs. 

Browser hijackers change certain browser settings to promote fake search engines and gather browsing-related data. Typically, they gather details such as IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, geolocations, etc. It is possible that a browser hijacker might also be designed to record sensitive data.

Furthermore, developers misuse the data to generate revenue and often share it with third parties (potentially cyber criminals) who misuse it for the same purpose.

If installed, adware helps developers to generate revenue by serving ads that, if clicked, lead to dubious web pages or cause download/installation of unwanted applications. Do not trust software such as PC Mechanic - uninstall this, and other PUAs that might have been installed with it, immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	PC Mechanic potentially unwanted application
Threat Type	PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application).
Supposed Functionality	PC Mechanic Plus supposedly optimizes operating systems (removes junk files, fixes errors and registry, etc.)
Detection Names	Avast (Win32:Malware-gen), BitDefender (Application.Deceptor.ABX), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/AKick.D Potentially Unwanted), Kaspersky (Hoax.Win32.DeceptPCClean.klr), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. A new application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about 'found issues'. Asks for payment 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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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.

There are other programs similar to PC Mechanic Plus. Some examples are Full System Care, True PC Booster Master, and Qbit System Care.

Typically, developers advertise them as legitimate tools that optimize systems by cleaning unnecessary files, fixing the registry, and eliminating various errors, etc. In fact, most are categorized as PUAs and should never be trusted. They might be distributed together with other PUAs and do not operate as promised.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Developers often distribute PUAs by including them into the download and/or installation set-ups of other (usually free) programs. This distribution method is known as "bundling" and is used to trick people into downloading and/or installing unwanted programs with regular software.

In most cases, offers to download and/or install potentially unwanted applications can be found in settings of set-ups such as "Advanced", "Custom", and so on.

People often download and/or install software without checking or changing these settings, thereby inadvertently granting permission for PUAs to be downloaded and/or installed. These unwanted downloads/installations can sometimes be caused by clicking deceptive, intrusive ads. If clicked, some can execute scripts designed to download or install unwanted software.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Do not download or install programs using Peer-to-Peer networks, dubious web pages, third party downloaders, installers, etc. This should be done using official websites and direct links only. Check all download/installation setups for settings such as "Custom", "Advance", etc.

Opt-out of offers to download or install unwanted apps before completing the process. Intrusive ads often cause redirects to dubious websites or download, install potentially malicious software. These ads are displayed on web pages relating to gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on.

They should never be clicked. To stop the browser from causing unwanted redirects or showing ads, uninstall all unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons from the browser and programs of this kind from the computer. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Website promoting PC Mechanic Plus application:

Notification by PC Mechanic Plus:

Appearance of PC Mechanic Plus application (GIF):

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 Mechanic Plus?
• 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 Mechanic Plus" 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 Mechanic Plus did not install any unwanted browser extensions, however, some unwanted applications can be installed together with adware and browser hijackers. If you experience unwanted ads or 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 mechanic 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 mechanic 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 mechanic 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 mechanic 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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