How to uninstall the MaxUtilities application from the operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Max Utilities?
Max Utilities is categorized as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA), and yet endorsed as software capable of cleaning operating systems and optimizing performance. Amongst its advertised capabilities are removal of Windows Registry errors and temporary files, Windows history cleaning, file privacy protection and so on.
Due to its dubious proliferation methods (most users install it unintentionally) Max Utilities is classed as a PUA.
All applications categorized as PUAs are untrusted and potentially harmful. As with other, similar unwanted apps (fake system cleaners/optimizers), Max Utilities requires activation to perform the advertised functions. Even after these PUAs are activated/purchased, they remain nonoperational.
Therefore, users end up purchasing a useless piece of software. These applications also endanger device/user safety. They cause a number of issues. Some PUAs can force-open sale-based, untrusted, rogue, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious websites.
They can also deliver unwanted and dangerous ads (e.g. pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc.). Once these intrusive advertisements are clicked, they redirect to dubious/malicious sites and can even stealthily download/install unwanted content (e.g. PUAs).
Other apps within this category can hijack browsers, limit/deny access to their settings and promote bogus search engines. Furthermore, regardless of the specifics, most PUAs can track data. Typically, these capabilities are used to monitor browsing activity and gather sensitive data extorted from it.
Information of interest includes browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, geolocations and users' personal details. The collected data is often shared with, or sold to, third parties seeking to misuse it for profit.
To summarize, the presence of PUAs on systems can lead to various infiltration and infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. Therefore, to protect device integrity and user safety, you are strongly advised to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | MaxUtilities potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application). |
| Supposed Functionality | It can supposedly clean and optimize operating systems. |
| Detection Names | DrWeb (Program.Unwanted.1414), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/UwS.MaxUtilities.B), Malwarebytes (PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities), 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. |
Max Uninstaller, DiskFixer and Full System Care are some examples of apps similar to Max Utilities. While PUAs typically seem legitimate and offer various "useful" functions, in most cases, they are nonoperational and can cause serious problems. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers.
Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs cause redirects, run intrusive ad campaigns, modify browsers and gather vulnerable data.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Max Utilities has an "official" download web page, however, this is not the only way that PUAs proliferate. They can also be downloaded/installed with other products. This deceptive marketing method of pre-packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious software is called "bundling".
By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, using pre-set options, skipping steps and sections, etc.), many users risk inadvertently allowing bundled content onto their systems. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these apps as well. When clicked, they can execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs without users' permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
All products should be researched to verify their legitimacy, prior to download/installation or purchase. Use only official and trustworthy download channels. Sources such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders are untrusted and can offer likewise suspect content.
Treat download and installation processes with caution.
Read the terms, study all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and decline download/installation of supplementary apps, tools, features and other additions. Intrusive ads often seem normal and innocuous, however, they can redirect to highly dubious web pages (e.g. pornography, gambling, adult-dating and so on).
If you encounter these ads/redirects, check the system and eliminate all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Appearance of Max Utilities application (GIF):
Installation setup of Max Utilities application:
Website promoting Max Utilities application:
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Max Utilities?
- 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 "Max Utilities" 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, Max Utilities 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 maxutilities 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 maxutilities 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 maxutilities 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 maxutilities 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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