How To Remove BackgroundContainer.dll error from Windows

If you are seeing a BackgroundContainer.dll error on Windows startup, then your computer is infected with the Conduit browser hijacker.

The BackgroundContainer.dll program is a part of the Conduit Toolbar Verifier program and is developed by Conduit, a company known for their malicious programs.

The Conduit toolbar is a browser hijacker which is promoted via other free downloads, and once installed it will change your browser homepage and default search engine to http://seach.conduit.com.
BackgroundContainer.dll is typically added when you install a Conduit toolbar, and it will check at Windows startup if the program is running properly. BackgroundContainer.dll is loaded via AppInit_DLLs. Normally, Windows registry loads such files but some of them are hidden to avoid detection.
If for some reason couldn’t be properly loaded because your system is still configured to run this file you are getting a RunDLL error with the following message.

RUNDLL
Error loading C:/User/(User name)/ AppData/Local/ Conduit/BackgroundContainer/BackgroundContainer.dll
The specified module could not be found.
OR
RUNDLL
There was a problem starting C:/User/(User name)/ AppData/Local/ Conduit/BackgroundContainer/BackgroundContainer.dll
The specified module could not be found.

This BackgroundContainer.dll Rundll error is caused by a Windows startup key which is trying to find the BackgroundContainer.dll which was either removed or moved from its location. To fix this BackgroundContainer.dll error you can follow the below removal guide.
You should always pay attention when installing software because often, a software installer includes optional installs, such as this BackgroundContainer.dll hijacker. 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.

How To Remove BackgroundContainer.dll error from Windows

• STEP 1: Remove BackgroundContainer.dll Error with Autoruns or Ccleaner
• STEP 2: Use Malwarebytes to remove BackgroundContainer.dll adware
• STEP 3: Use HitmanPro to scan for malware and unwanted programs
• STEP 4: Double-check for malicious programs with Zemana AntiMalware Free
• STEP 5: Reset the browser settings to remove BackgroundContainer.dll adware

STEP 1: Remove BackgroundContainer.dll Error with Autoruns or Ccleaner

In this first step, we will remove the BackgroundContainer.dll startup registry key with Autoruns or Ccleaner.

1. You can download Autoruns utility from the below link.
   AUTORUNS DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download Autoruns on your computer)
2. Double-click on the autoruns.exe program to start this utility, then click on the File button and select Find.
   Alternatively, you can scroll through the list and look for any entry related to BackgroundContainer.dll and Conduit.
   
3. In the Find box type BackgroundContainer.dll, then click on the Find Next button.
   
4. Autoruns should now show you the BackgroundContainer.dll registry key, and you will need to right-click on the entry and choose Delete.
   
5. Restart your computer, and see if the issue is fixed.

If the BackgroundContainer.dll startup error persists you can use Ccleaner to remove this startup item.
1. You can download Ccleaner utility from the below link.
CCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download Ccleaner on your computer)
2. Install Ccleaner and start this utility, click the Tools icon at left, then click the Startup button.
3. In the Startup screen, you’ll see a list of all items that have been set to start automatically with Windows. Select for Conduit, then click on the Delete button.

STEP 2: Use Malwarebytes to remove BackgroundContainer.dll adware

Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and most used anti-malware software for Windows, 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 14-day trial of the premium edition, which includes preventative tools like real-time scanning and specific protection from ransomware. After two weeks, it automatically reverts to the basic free version that will detect and clean up malware infections only when you run a scan. It is important to note that Malwarebytes will run alongside antivirus software without conflicts.

1. Download Malwarebytes.

   You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.

   MALWAREBYTES DOWNLOAD LINK
   (The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes)

2. Double-click on the Malwarebytes setup file.

   When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the mb3-setup-consumer-x.x.x.xxxx.exe file to install Malwarebytes on your PC. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.

   
   You may be presented with an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow Malwarebytes to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
   

3. 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. To install Malwarebytes on your PC, click on the “Agree and Install” button.
   
   

4. 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.
   

5. Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.

   Malwarebytes will now start scanning your computer for adware and other malicious programs. 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.
   

6. Click on “Quarantine Selected”.

   When the scan has completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malicious programs that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine Selected” button.
   

7. Reboot your computer.

   Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files and registry keys that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
   
   When the malware removal process is complete, you can close Malwarebytes and continue with the rest of the instructions.

STEP 3: Use HitmanPro to scan for malware and unwanted programs

HitmanPro is a second opinion scanner that takes a unique cloud-based approach to malware scanning. HitmanPro scans the behavior of active files and also files in locations where malware normally resides for suspicious activity. If it finds a suspicious file that’s not already known, HitmanPro sends it to their clouds to be scanned by two of the best antivirus engines today, which are Bitdefender and Kaspersky.

Although HitmanPro is shareware and costs $24.95 for 1 year on 1 PC, there is actually no limit in scanning. The limitation only kicks in when there is a need to remove or quarantine detected malware by HitmanPro on your system and by then, you can activate the one time 30-days trial to enable the cleanup.

1. Download HitmanPro.

   You can download HitmanPro by clicking the link below.

   HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK
   (The above link will open a new web page from where you can download HitmanPro)

2. Install HitmanPro.

   When HitmanPro has finished downloading, double-click on “hitmanpro.exe” (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or “hitmanpro_x64.exe” (for 64-bit versions of Windows) to install this program on your PC. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
   
   You may be presented with an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow HitmanPro to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
   

3. Follow the on-screen prompts.

   When HitmanPro starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below. Click on the “Next” button to perform a system scan.

   

   

4. Wait for the HitmanPro scan to complete.

   HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for malicious programs. This process will take a few minutes.
   

5. Click on “Next”.

   When HitmanPro has finished the scan, it will display a list of all the malware that the program has found. Click on the “Next” button to remove the malicious programs.
   

6. Click on “Activate free license”.

   Click on the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial and remove all the malicious files from your PC.
   
   When the process is complete, you can close HitmanPro and continue with the rest of the instructions.

STEP 4: Double-check for malicious programs with Zemana AntiMalware Free

Zemana AntiMalware is a free popular on-demand antivirus scanner which can detect and remove malware that even the most well-known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to find.
While the Malwarebytes and HitmanPro scans are more than enough, we’re recommending Zemana AntiMalware Free to users who still have malware related issues or just want make sure their computer is 100% clean.

1. Download Zemana AntiMalware.

   You can download Zemana AntiMalware Free by clicking the link below.

   ZEMANA ANTIMALWARE DOWNLOAD LINK
   (The above link will open a new web page from where you can download Zemana AntiMalware)

2. Double-click on the setup file.

   Double-click on the file named “Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.exe” to start the installation of Zemana AntiMalware. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
   
   You may be presented with a User Account Control dialog asking you if you want to run this file. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
   

3. Install Zemana AntiMalware Free.

   Click on the “Next” button to install Zemana AntiMalware on your computer. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the install process.
   

4. Click on “Scan Now”.

   When Zemana AntiMalware will start, click on the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan.
   

5. Wait for the Zemana AntiMalware scan to complete.

   Zemana AntiMalware will now scan your computer for malicious files. This process can take a few minutes.
   

6. Click on “Apply Action”.

   When Zemana AntiMalware has finished it will display a list of all the malware that the program found. Click on the “Apply Action” button to remove the malicious files from your computer.
   

7. Restart your computer.

   When the malware removal process is complete, Zemana AntiMalware may need to restart your computer. Click on the “Reboot” button to restart your computer.
   

STEP 5: Reset the browser settings to remove BackgroundContainer.dll adware

If you’re still experiencing issues, we will need to reset the web browser settings to their original defaults. This step should be performed only if your issues have not been solved by the previous steps.

Your computer should now be clean, and you should not see the BackgroundContainer.dll adware in your browser. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove BackgroundContainer.dll adware from your PC, please do one of the following:

• Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
• Ask for help in our Malware Removal Assistance for Windows forum.