How to remove the HD Video Player and the adware installed with it
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is HD Video Player?
HD Video Player software is often bundled with various untrusted and even harmful applications. The term "bundling" refers to a deceptive marketing technique of packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious additions.
Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate HD Video Player, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). While PUAs typically have nonoperational features and/or undisclosed, dangerous capabilities, this is not the case with HD Video Player, however, should users find this app installed on their systems without their consent/knowledge, it is likely that other, possibly dangerous software has infiltrated the device as well.
HD Video Player has been observed being distributed with other applications. One of the rogue installers proliferating this application has been observed being distributed through variants of the "Fake flash player update" scams. When this installation setup is opened, it opens another installer shortly after.
In addition to HD Video Player, this setup contains adware. PUAs classified as adware operate by running intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, this software enables the placement of pop-ups, surveys, banners, coupons, full-page and other intrusive ads, typically, on any visited website.
The delivered ads significantly diminish the browsing experience, as they overlay web page content and limit browsing speed. Furthermore, intrusive advertisements pose a threat to device/user safety. Once clicked, the ads redirect to untrusted/malicious sites and some can even stealthily download/install software.
Other types of PUAs can infiltrate devices together with HD Video Player. Other common PUAs are browser hijackers. These reassign the browser homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of fake web searchers.
Therefore, with a browser hijacker installed, new browser tabs/windows opened and web searches made via the URL bar redirect to the address of the promoted fake search engine. The promoted web searchers are rarely able to provide search results, and so they tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Bing, Yahoo and other legitimate search engines.
Furthermore, browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to the browser settings and undo any permitted changes made.
Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities. They can monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is then monetized by sharing with and/or selling to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To ensure device integrity and user privacy, it is crucial to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | HD Video Player adware |
| Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application), Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus. |
| Detection Names (rogue installer) | Palo Alto Networks (Generic.ml), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal). |
| Symptoms | A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
These unwanted applications may seem legitimate and harmless, and users are often enticed into download/installation and/or purchase with offers of various "useful" functionality, however, these functions are seldom operational and, in most cases, do not work at all.
The only purpose of these rogue apps is to generate profit for the developers. Valerie, PopBlock+, and Media Converter Pro Promos are some examples of adware-type applications, and SysKey, Movie Tab, and LoveSportsSearch of browser hijackers.
Dubious software distribution techniques are common. Therefore, to avoid download/installation of PUAs, you are strongly advised to use trustworthy download sources and to exercise caution when browsing.
How did HD Video Player 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.
Screenshot of HD Video Player installation setup:
Screenshot of the second installation setup opened by the previous installer:
Screenshot of HD Video Player installation folder:
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 HD Video Player?
- STEP 1. Uninstall HD Video Player application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove HD Video Player ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by HD Video Player' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove HD Video Player extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove HD Video Player from Internet Explorer.
HD Video Player removal:
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 "HD Video Player", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes HD Video Player ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove HD Video Player from Internet browsers:
At time of research, HD Video Player did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.
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 hd video player adware, 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 hd video player adware 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 hd video player adware, 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 hd video player adware, 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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