Ad-Aware 11 - Can it remove Adware? (mrizos)
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MrXidus
Super Moderator (Leave of absence)
- Apr 17, 2011
- 2,503
My own method of removing adware, junkware from friends, family and colleagues PCs, I usually get this done in approximately 15 minutes.
1. Download AdwCleaner & Junkware Removal Tool, run both as Administrator, let them scan and clean what ever is found then restart PC.
2. Download and run IObit Uninstaller Portable , Select the tickboxes and batch uninstall any left over junk programs and toolbars via Advanced Scan to find left over folders, files, registry keys and clean.
(I don't use Windows Programs & Features window to remove programs as it leaves lots of left over files, folders and registry items all being junk)
3. Download and run Wise Disk Cleaner Portable to clean temporary files, junk files.
(CCleaner is fine too, Don't use Windows built in Disk Cleaner, it misses alot of temp files, useless files)
4. Enable Hidden Items in Explorer and manually search through Program Files, Program Files (x86), Program Data, AppData Local, Roaming and Temp folders and delete what unnecessary items ever is left. Disable Hidden Items.
5. Go into Internet Explorer settings (Or Firefox and Chrome if they have it) and make sure there isn't any adware add-ons, search engines or toolbars left over, Go to Internet Explorer settings and click RESET Internet Explorer and make sure their search engine is changed back to one they want.
6. Malwarebytes, Hitman Pro, Kaspersky TDSS Killer scan just to make sure there also isn't any nastys lurking on the system, Malwarebytes can also find PUP items aswell but by now I've removed all that.
7. Make sure their antivirus is working and up to date.
8. Tell the person who owns the computer about not rushing through program setups/installers next time and make sure to un-tick boxes/agreements asking you to install junk and aware. Tell them to be more careful so it doesn't happen again. Add Softpedia and Filehippo to their bookmarks and tel them to avoid CNET, Softtonic, Sourceforge, Brothersoft.
I have to agree with Matt on antivirus programs not being hardly effective against adware and PUP these days, Most of which allowing you to install crap. I know that Avast has a PUP Option in advanced scan settings and so does ESET, how ever Microsofts own Windows Defender/MSE is left in the dark. (Ortho doesn't matter if you have common sense and are sure not to install junkware, adware).
I wish they were more effective but then again the user is technically agreeing to install this crap without knowing the negative effects it will cause until it's too late.
Also Ad-Aware used to be the number 1 go to tool for getting rid of junk back in 2007 era I remember, now it appears to be junk itself. Ironic.
Here's to hoping Softpedia, MajorGeeks, Filehippo stay clean and don't start using ad-supported branded installers of their own.
I haven't had a need to go to CNET Download.com to download software for a very long time.
Thanks.
1. Download AdwCleaner & Junkware Removal Tool, run both as Administrator, let them scan and clean what ever is found then restart PC.
2. Download and run IObit Uninstaller Portable , Select the tickboxes and batch uninstall any left over junk programs and toolbars via Advanced Scan to find left over folders, files, registry keys and clean.
(I don't use Windows Programs & Features window to remove programs as it leaves lots of left over files, folders and registry items all being junk)
3. Download and run Wise Disk Cleaner Portable to clean temporary files, junk files.
(CCleaner is fine too, Don't use Windows built in Disk Cleaner, it misses alot of temp files, useless files)
4. Enable Hidden Items in Explorer and manually search through Program Files, Program Files (x86), Program Data, AppData Local, Roaming and Temp folders and delete what unnecessary items ever is left. Disable Hidden Items.
5. Go into Internet Explorer settings (Or Firefox and Chrome if they have it) and make sure there isn't any adware add-ons, search engines or toolbars left over, Go to Internet Explorer settings and click RESET Internet Explorer and make sure their search engine is changed back to one they want.
6. Malwarebytes, Hitman Pro, Kaspersky TDSS Killer scan just to make sure there also isn't any nastys lurking on the system, Malwarebytes can also find PUP items aswell but by now I've removed all that.
7. Make sure their antivirus is working and up to date.
8. Tell the person who owns the computer about not rushing through program setups/installers next time and make sure to un-tick boxes/agreements asking you to install junk and aware. Tell them to be more careful so it doesn't happen again. Add Softpedia and Filehippo to their bookmarks and tel them to avoid CNET, Softtonic, Sourceforge, Brothersoft.
I have to agree with Matt on antivirus programs not being hardly effective against adware and PUP these days, Most of which allowing you to install crap. I know that Avast has a PUP Option in advanced scan settings and so does ESET, how ever Microsofts own Windows Defender/MSE is left in the dark. (Ortho doesn't matter if you have common sense and are sure not to install junkware, adware).
I wish they were more effective but then again the user is technically agreeing to install this crap without knowing the negative effects it will cause until it's too late.
Also Ad-Aware used to be the number 1 go to tool for getting rid of junk back in 2007 era I remember, now it appears to be junk itself. Ironic.
Here's to hoping Softpedia, MajorGeeks, Filehippo stay clean and don't start using ad-supported branded installers of their own.
I haven't had a need to go to CNET Download.com to download software for a very long time.
Thanks.
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