Window Mix is an adware program that displays pop-up ads and unwanted advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. These Window Mix advertisements will be shown as boxes containing coupons, as underlined keywords (in-text ads), pop-up ads or advertising banners.
What is Window Mix?
Window Mix is advertised as a program that will “improve the way you search the Internet”. Though this may sound like a useful service, Window Mix can be intrusive and will display advertisements whether you want them to or not.
The Window Mix advertisements may have a different text under the pop-up: “Window Mix Promos”, “Powered by Window Mix”, “Advertisements by Window Mix”, “Brought to you by Window Mix”, “Ads by Window Mix” or “Ads powered by Window Mix”. The Window Mix ads will typically be shown in the header in strange positions or overlaying the content of the web page.
These Window Mix ads are for adult sites, online web games, fake software updates, and unwanted programs.
When the Window Mix browser hijacker is installed on a computer, common symptoms include:
- Advertisements appear in places they shouldn’t be.
- Your web browser’s homepage has mysteriously changed without your permission.
- Web pages that you typically visit are not displaying properly.
- Website links redirect to sites different from what you expected.
- Browser popups appear which recommend fake updates or other software.
- Other unwanted programs might get installed without your knowledge.
How did Window Mix get on my computer?
Window Mix is installed by the users, whether that is knowingly or not. Often, this type of program is offered through advertisements or bundled with other software, leaving the user puzzled where this software came from.
Unfortunately, some free downloads do not adequately disclose that other software will also be installed and you may find that you have installed Window Mix without your knowledge.
You should always pay attention when installing software because often, a software installer includes optional installs. Be very careful what you agree to install.
Always opt for the custom installation and deselect anything that is not familiar, especially optional software that you never wanted to download and install in the first place. It goes without saying that you should not install software that you don’t trust.
To remove the Window Mix adware and check your computer for other malicious programs, please use the free malware removal guide below.
How to remove Window Mix adware (Virus Removal Guide)
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, STOP and ask for our assistance.
- STEP 1: Remove the Window Mix 1.0 app from macOS
- STEP 2: Uninstall Window Mix extension from Safari, Chrome, or Firefox
- STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes for Mac to remove Window Mix adware
STEP 1: Remove the Window Mix 1.0 app from macOS
In this first step, we will try to identify and remove any malicious app that might be installed on your device.
This browser hijacker may also create a new group policy for your device, so before we proceed with the other steps we need to remove these unwanted changes.
- Go to System Preferences.
- Click Profiles.
- The list will include an item “AdminPrefs“. Select this and click the remove “–” button in the lower left corner.
If there isn’t a Profiles icon, you don’t have any profiles installed, which is normal.
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Open “Finder”
Click the Finder application on your dock.
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Click on “Applications”
In the Finder left pane, click on “Applications“.
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Find and remove the Window Mix app.
The “Applications” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your device. Scroll through the list until you find the Window Mix app, right-click it, and then click “Move to Trash”.
The malicious app may have a different name on your device. If you cannot find any malicious apps, you can proceed with the next step.
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Click “Empty Trash”
On the dock, right-click on the trash icon and select “Empty Trash”. Doing so deletes the Trash’s contents, including the program that you just sent to the Trash.
Next, click the desktop to make sure you’re in the Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder, then go to the below folders and delete the Window Mix files or folders.
/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/Application Support
~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
STEP 2: Uninstall Window Mix extension from Safari, Chrome, or Firefox
- Safari
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
Safari
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Go to Safari’s “Preferences”.
On the menu bar, click the “Safari” menu and select “Preferences”.
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Check the Homepage.
This will open a new window with your Safari preferences, opened to the “General” tab. Some browser hijackers may change your default homepage, so in the Homepage field make sure it’s a web page you want to use as your start-up page.
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Click “Extensions”
Next, click on the “Extensions” tab.
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Find and uninstall the malicious extension.
The “Extensions” screen will be displayed with a list of all the extensions installed on Safari. Scroll through the list until you find the “Window Mix” malicious extension, and then click on “Uninstall” to remove it. By default, there are no extensions installed on Safari.
The malicious extension may have a different name on your device. If you cannot find any malicious extension, you can proceed with the next step.
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes for Mac to remove Window Mix adware
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and most used anti-malware apps, and for good reasons. It is able to destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss, without costing you absolutely nothing. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
The first time you install Malwarebytes, you’re given a free 30-days trial of the premium edition, which includes preventative tools like real-time scanning and specific protection from ransomware. After 30 days, it automatically reverts to the basic free version that will detect and clean up malware infections only when you run a scan.
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Download Malwarebytes.
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
MALWAREBYTES FOR MAC DOWNLOAD LINK
(The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes for Mac) -
Double-click on the Malwarebytes setup file.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the Malwarebytes-Mac-3.x.y.zzz.pkg file to install Malwarebytes on your device. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through the installation process. The setup wizard displays an introduction to Malwarebytes for Mac. Click on “Continue” to complete the installation process.
Next, click on “Install“.
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Click on “Scan Now”.
Once installed, Malwarebytes will automatically start and update the antivirus database. To perform a system scan, click on the “Scan Now” button.
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Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your Mac for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
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Click on “Confirm”.
When the scan has completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Confirm” button.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your computer should now be free of the Window Mix adware. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove the Window Mix adware from your Mac, please ask for help in our Malware Removal Assistance for Mac forum.