How to uninstall the ScanUtilities unwanted application from your system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ScanUtilities?
ScanUtilities is software promoted as a tool capable of speeding up and improving system performance, however, due the dubious methods used to proliferate this application, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Usually, software within this classification is nonoperational (i.e. unable to perform the advertised functionality).
Additionally, PUAs often have a number of dangerous capabilities not mentioned in their promotional material.
While legitimate products may be distributed using dubious techniques, they are typically employed to spread untrusted and possibly harmful software.
PUAs often seem legitimate and offer a wide variety of 'useful features' ranging from system maintenance to easy access enablement, however, despite how good the functions promised may sound, they are rarely operational.
Some PUA types (e.g. fake system optimizers/cleaners) require activation to perform their functionality, yet following purchase of the activation keys, they remain nonoperational. Furthermore, these unwanted apps can have additional capabilities, which are not mentioned in the promotional material.
PUAs classified as adware run intrusive advertisement campaigns. This type delivers various pop-ups, banners, coupons and other intrusive ads. These overlay web page content and diminish browsing speed. When clicked, intrusive ads can redirect to dubious/malicious sites and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software.
Other types of PUAs called browser hijackers modify browser settings in order to promote fake search engines. With this software installed, every new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the address of the promoted web searchers.
Rogue search engines are seldom capable of providing unique results, and so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other genuine sites. Browser hijackers can also reset any changes users attempt to make, if access to the settings is permitted at all. Furthermore, most PUAs (regardless of type) can track data.
They monitor users' browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect personal information extracted form it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is often shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to systems infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated without delay.
| Name | ScanUtilities potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application). |
| Supposed Functionality | System performance and speed improvement. |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:Adware-gen [Adw]), BitDefender (Application.Deceptor.ALD), ESET-NOD32 (MSIL/NextGenCleaner.C Potentially Unwa), McAfee (Artemis!028FCFEEFBBE), 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. |
Perfect Optimizer, System Care Pro and WinOptimizer are some example of other PUAs similar to ScanUtilities. As mentioned, this software may not seem suspicious, however, the advertised functionality of PUAs typically does not work, or not as promised.
The sole purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers. Regular users receive no real value and can instead experience serious issues. PUAs trick users into purchasing them, run intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and collect private data.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Certain PUAs (including ScanUtilities) have "official" promotional sites, from which they can be downloaded. These apps are also distributed via the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling".
Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive ads proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
All products should be researched before download/installation and/or purchase. You are advised to only download from official and verified sources. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders are untrusted, and commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to dubious sites (e.g. gambling, adult-dating, pornography, and so on).
If you experience advertisements or redirects of this kind, inspect all devices and immediately remove any suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ons. 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 ScanUtilities application (GIF):
Installation setup of ScanUtilities application:
Website promoting ScanUtilities 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 ScanUtilities?
- 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 "ScanUtilities" 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, ScanUtilities 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 scanutilities 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 scanutilities 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 scanutilities 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 scanutilities 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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