How to uninstall the Driver Whiz potentially unwanted application?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is the Driver Whiz unwanted application?
Driver Whiz is the name of an untrustworthy piece of software. This application is endorsed as a tool capable of detecting out-of-date and missing drivers and updating/installing them. Its promotional material even proclaims Driver Whiz to be the best driver updater of 2018.
Since most users download/install this app inadvertently, it is classified as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application). It is noteworthy that apps within this classification can have unmentioned and heinous abilities.
Questionable distribution methods are usually used for untrustworthy and illegitimate software, though they may be used to promote genuine products as well. These techniques are employed to proliferate various PUAs. Unwanted applications typically appear ordinary and harmless.
The features they offer are rarely operational. Fake anti-virus tools are a prime example of this; they require activation (i.e., purchase) to perform the advertised functions, yet after activation - they remain nonoperational. As mentioned in the introduction, PUAs can have harmful abilities.
These apps can force-upon unreliable, deceptive, and malicious websites. Another type classified as adware - runs intrusive advertisement campaigns. The delivered ads overlay webpage content and slow down the browsing speed. Furthermore, upon being clicked, intrusive adverts redirect to dangerous sites and some can stealthily download/install software.
Browser hijacker types make modifications to browser settings and restrict/deny access to them - in order to promote fake search engines. The promoted web searchers rarely can generate search results, so they redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other legitimate search engines.
What is more, most PUAs (regardless of type) can collect data. They monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and collect sensitive information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations, and even personally identifiable details).
PUA developers monetize the data by sharing it with and/or selling it to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals). To summarize, unwanted software can cause system infections, financial losses, severe privacy issues, and even result in identity theft. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Driver Whiz potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application) |
| Supposed Functionality | Missing/Outdated driver detection and installation/updating. |
| Detection Names (installer) | Avast (FileRepMalware), DrWeb (Program.Unwanted.4886), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/383Media.C Potentially Un), Malwarebytes (PUP.Optional.DriverWhiz), McAfee (Artemis!BF01E4E3975A), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (application) | DrWeb (Program.Unwanted.4886), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/383Media.C Potentially U), Gridinsoft (PUP.DriverWhiz.dd!c), Panda (PUP/DriverUpdater), Rising (PUA.383Media!8.528D (CLOUD)), 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. |
Driver Magic, DriverScape, SmartPCFixer, SpeedFixTool, and JCleaner are some examples of PUAs similar to Driver Whiz. They seldom look suspect and tend to offer various "handy" functionalities. However, the features usually do not work. Functionality and user safety are irrelevant, as the only goal of unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers.
Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijack browsers, and collect vulnerable information.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Select PUAs (e.g., Driver Whiz) have "official" promotional/download webpages. These applications are most commonly downloaded/installed together with other programs. This false marketing tactic of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling".
Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps and sections, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user consent.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to research software prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels (e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders) - often offer harmful and/or bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, etc. It is just as important to exercise caution when browsing. Intrusive adverts appear ordinary; however, they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so forth).
In case of encounters with ads and/or redirects of this type, the system must be checked and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. 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 Driver Whiz application (GIF):
Installation setup of Driver Whiz application:
Website promoting Driver Whiz 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 Driver Whiz?
- 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 "Driver Whiz" 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, Driver Whiz 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 driver whiz 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 driver whiz 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 driver whiz 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 driver whiz 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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