How to uninstall the PCRepairClinic potentially unwanted application?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is PCRepairClinic?
PCRepairClinic is a piece of untrustworthy software, promoted as a tool capable of cleaning and optimizing systems, by fixing and removing various errors. However, dubious techniques are used to distribute this application, hence most users download/install it unintentionally.
Due to this, it is classified as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application). Software within this classification often pose a threat to device integrity and/or user privacy.
While questionable proliferation methods are employed to distribute legitimate products, they are more commonly used to spread unreliable and possibly dangerous software. PUAs appear ordinary and harmless. Additionally, they tend to offer various "useful" and "advantageous" functionalities.
However, these functions rarely work as promised and in most cases - they do not work at all. Some unwanted applications (e.g. fake anti-virus tools) require activation (i.e. purchase) to perform the advertised features, yet following activation - they remain nonoperational.
Furthermore, PUAs can have unmentioned, heinous abilities. These apps can force-open untrustworthy and malicious websites. Adware-types run intrusive advertisement campaigns, i.e. deliver pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive ads. Once clicked on, the delivered adverts redirect to similarly harmful sites and some can even stealthily download/install software.
Browser hijacker type PUAs modify browser settings and restrict/deny access to them - in order to promote fake search engines. The promoted web searchers are seldom capable of providing search results, so they tend to redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate search engines. What is more, most PUAs (regardless of type) can track data.
They can monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, presence of unwanted software on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.
Name | PCRepairClinic potentially unwanted application |
Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application) |
Supposed Functionality | Operating system cleaning and optimization |
Detection Names | DrWeb (Program.Unwanted.2287), Ikarus (PUA.Pcrepairclinic), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/UwS.PCRepairClinic.B), K7GW (Riskware ( Dec001de1 )), 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. |
PC Gold Optimizer and system repair, ID SafeXpress, Web Companion, CleanMyPC and Perfect Optimizer are some examples of other PUAs similar to PCRepairClinic. Despite their legitimate appearance and broad range of functionalities, they are typically nonfunctional and can pose a threat to device/user safety.
Functionality, user convenience and safety are irrelevant - since the only purpose of unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can cause redirects, run intrusive advert campaigns, hijack browsers and collect private data.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Select PUAs (e.g. PCRepairClinic) have "official" promotional webpages, from which they can be downloaded. They can also be downloaded/installed together with other software. This false marketing technique of packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious additions - is termed "bundling".
Rushed download/installation processes (e.g. ignored terms, skipped steps, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user consent.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is important to research software before download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Since untrustworthy download channels, e.g. unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders - commonly offer harmful and/or bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate, however they redirect to dubious websites (e.g. pornography, gambling, adult-dating, and so forth).
Should users experience such ads and/or redirects, they must inspect their devices and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Installation setup of PCRepairClinic application:
Website promoting PCRepairClinic 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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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 PCRepairClinic?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove malicious plug-ins from Internet Explorer.
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 "PCRepairClinic" 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, PCRepairClinic 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 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 pcrepairclinic 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 plugins 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 pcrepairclinic 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 pcrepairclinic 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.
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 pcrepairclinic 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.
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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