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PCRepairKit Unwanted Application

Also Known As: PCRepairKit potentially unwanted application
Damage level: Medium

What is PCRepairKit?

Developers present PCRepairKit as a high quality system optimization tool. Judging on appearance alone, this app may seem legitimate and useful, however, developers promote it using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" and, thus, PCRepairKit often infiltrates systems without permission.

It is also promoted using pop-ups delivered by adware-type apps. Therefore, PCRepairKit is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

PCRepairKit unwanted application

After installing PCRepairKit and scanning the system, users are presented with hundreds of threats/issues that must be resolved. The 'free version' of PCRepairKit is apparently incapable of doing this and users are encouraged to purchase the 'full version'. It is currently unknown whether PCRepairKit can be trusted.

Research shows that there is many "bundled" system optimization tools that are fake. They generate false scan results just to trick unsuspecting users into purchasing full versions that merely clean bogus lists. PCRepairKit is likely to be one of these dubious apps. Therefore, we recommend that you uninstall this application and certainly do not pay for the so-called full version.

Bundling is often used to proliferate several potentially unwanted applications (such as adware and browser hijackers) at once.

Therefore, PCRepairKit might be one of a number of PUAs that have infiltrated your system. Adware and browser hijackers deliver intrusive ads, cause unwanted redirects, and gather sensitive information. Therefore, as well as uninstalling PCRepairKit, eliminate other dubious applications.

Threat Summary:
Name PCRepairKit potentially unwanted application
Threat Type PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application)
Symptoms A program that you don't recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. New application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about found issues. Asks for payment in order 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.
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There are dozens of potentially unwanted applications, all of which are virtually identical. Most claim to enable "useful functionality", however, few provide any real value. Potentially unwanted applications are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Claims to provide useful functions are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, potentially unwanted applications cause unwanted redirects, gather information, deliver intrusive ads, and promote in-app purchases.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

PCRepairKit is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, developers also promote this app using the "bundling" method - stealth installation of third party apps with regular software/apps. Therefore, PCRepairKit often infiltrates systems without users’ permission. Developers are not honest enough to disclose PUA installations properly.

They hide them within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes.

Furthermore, many users are likely to rush these procedures and skip steps - behavior that often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted applications such as PCRepairKit. In this way, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent system infiltration by potentially unwanted applications, be very cautious during the download/installation processes and when browsing the Internet. Carefully analyze each download/installation step and opt-out of additionally-included programs.

Download software from official sources only (via direct download links) and avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since these tools often include ("bundle") rogue apps. Bear in mind that PUAs are also distributed using intrusive advertisements that redirect to malicious sites and execute scripts that download/install potentially unwanted applications.

Most seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design, however, they redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.) These ads are typically delivered by adware-type PUAs. If you experience these, redirects immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.

If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Official PCRepairKit installation setup:

PCRepairKit installation setup

Screenshot of pop-up (displayed by adware-type applications) which promotes the PCRepairKit unwanted application:

PCRepairKit app promoting pop-up

 

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:

Removal of potentially unwanted applications:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

PCRepairKit adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "PCRepairKit" 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:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing rogue extensions from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options 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".

Removing rogue extensions from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the pcrepairkit 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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing rogue extensions from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Removing rogue extensions from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the pcrepairkit potentially unwanted application, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing rogue extensions from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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.

Removing rogue extensions from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with pcrepairkit 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, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the pcrepairkit potentially unwanted application, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, 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.

Post a comment:
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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
PCRepairKit potentially unwanted application QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of PCRepairKit potentially unwanted application on your mobile device.
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