How to uninstall the TakeMyFile potentially unwanted application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is the TakeMyFile PUA?
TakeMyFile is an untrusted application, which is endorsed as a tool that allows users to share files (e.g. apps, audio, documents, photographs, presentations, videos, etc.). Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate this app, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).
Despite its often legitimate appearance, software within this classification tends to be nonoperational and may have undisclosed, dangerous capabilities. Furthermore, though bundling - a deceptive technique used to spread unwanted apps - they can infiltrate systems in multitudes.
This has been observed in TakeMyFile's proliferation. At the time of research, this application was installed alongside the WebDiscover, Valerie, and Ober PUAs.
Potentially unwanted applications typically appear ordinary and offer a broad range of "useful" features. These functions seldom work as advertised and, in most cases, do not work at all. The apps may be offered for sale, yet they remain nonfunctional regardless of purchase (notably, fake anti-viruses).
PUAs can have harmful functionalities, which are not clearly indicated or are left entirely unmentioned. Even if a certain undesirable application is innocuous, albeit useless, it still poses a threat to device/user safety, especially since several are commonly installed at once.
The latter is true of TakeMyFile. This PUA has been noted being promoted via a deceptive website running a variant of the "Fake flash player update" scam. Through the site users downloaded a VBS file, which operates as an installation setup for various untrustworthy applications.
This installer could potentially be used to infiltrate a variety of dubious/malicious content into systems. Together with TakeMyFile, it installed the following PUAs: WebDiscover, Valerie, and Ober. WebDiscover and Valerie are categorized as adware, respectively.
This type of PUA delivers intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, it enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other ads, usually, on any visited website.
Aside from significantly diminishing the browsing experience, when clicked, intrusive ad can redirect to dangerous websites and some can even stealthily download/install software. In addition to adware, another popular PUA type is the browser hijacker.
These apps operate by making modifications to browser settings and limiting/denying access to them to promote fake search engines. Furthermore, most types PUAs have data tracking capabilities.
They monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is then monetized by sharing with and/or sold to third parties.
In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can result in system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user privacy, it is crucial to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | TakeMyFile potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application). |
| Supposed Functionality | Easy and quick file sharing. |
| Detection Names | BitDefenderTheta (Gen:NN.ZelphiF.34670.@V0@a4AOYdbO), SecureAge APEX (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal). |
| Detection Names (VBS installer) | 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. |
PUAs may seem legitimate and harmless. ZipConvertAce, Secure Driver Updater, PDF Might, and Garbage Cleaner are some examples of this software. Users are enticed into download/installation with offers of various "useful" functionalities, ranging from system cleaning/optimizing to easy access to specific online content.
Despite how good the features promised may sound, they are rarely operational. The only purpose of this unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers.
Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs can force-open dubious and malicious sites, run intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijack browsers and collect private data.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
PUAs are often downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". By rushing through download/installation of software (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using "Quick/Express" settings, etc.) many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without users' permission. Some PUAs have "official" download web pages from which they can be downloaded.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
You are advised to research all software before download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule), and other third party downloaders commonly offer harmful and bundled content, and are therefore untrusted and should be avoided. When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, and so on.
Intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to dubious and malicious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and many others). If you encounter ads or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately.
If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Screenshots of the scam website used to promote the VBS installer, which installs the TakeMyFile unwanted application:
Screenshots of the VBS file installer (step one and two):
Screenshot of a random deceptive installer promoting the TakeMyFile unwanted 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 TakeMyFile?
- 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 "TakeMyFile" 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, TakeMyFile 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 takemyfile 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 takemyfile 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 takemyfile 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 takemyfile 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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Outstanding!
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