How to uninstall Perfect Optimizer?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
Perfect Optimizer removal instructions
What is Perfect Optimizer?
Perfect Optimizer is advertised as a software that supposed to repair, clean and optimize the operating system. Although, this program is distributed in a questionable way, therefore, it is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA). Users often download and install such apps unknowingly, unintentionally.
Perfect Optimizer includes two main features: "Memory Optimizer" and "Startup Speedup". These features supposed to optimize computers (improve their performance). Although, to be able to use any of its features users have to purchase the full version (enter license key). The problem with most PUAs is that they do not function as they supposed to: they do not fix any real issues and generate fake scan results to trick users into paying money for their activation. It is very likely that Perfect Optimizer is one of these programs too. Therefore, it should not be trusted (purchased). It is worthwhile to mention that its downloader is designed to promote McAfee and Avast - legitimate programs. Although, quite often downloaders and/or installers of apps like Perfect Optimizer are used to distribute other potentially unwanted apps (e.g., adware, browser hijackers). Adware-type apps are designed to serve coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and other types of advertisements. Such ads often are designed to promote (open) untrustworthy websites or even run scrips designed to download and/or install unwanted programs. Browser hijackers are designed to promote fake search engines (their addresses) by changing some of the browser's settings. It is worthwhile to mention that both adware-type apps and browser hijackers can be and often are designed to gather various data as well. Quite often they collect browsing data (e.g., IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, and so on). However, there are apps of this type that are capable of accessing sensitive information as well. The bigger problem with it is that gathered data could be sold to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) or misused to generate revenue in other ways. Therefore, if an app (or apps) of this type is already installed on browser and/or operating system, then it should be uninstalled right away. Also, it is not recommended to trust programs like Perfect Optimizer.
Name | Perfect Optimizer potentially unwanted application |
Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application) |
Supposed Functionality | This software supposed to clean, repair and optimyze systems |
Detection Names | Avast (Win32:PUP-gen [PUP]), AVG (FakeAV.caf), ESET-NOD32 (LNK/Agent.CH), Microsoft (Misleading:Win32/PerfectOptimizer), 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 Malwarebytes. |
Perfect Optimizer is quite similar to Registry Life, RocketFixio and WinOptimizer. The main reasons why such programs should not be trusted is because they are distributed in questionable ways and often do not fix any errors, issues or are useful in other ways. A couple of popular methods to distribute such programs are described below.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Quite often various potentially unwanted applications are distributed by including them in download and/or installation setups of other programs as additional offers. This distribution method is known as "bundling". As a rule, information about additional downloads and/or installations can be found in "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings of setups. The same settings can be used to decline those offers. Although, not all users check (and change) them. When users download and/or install programs without changing the aforementioned setting, they allow for additionally included applications to be downloaded and/or installed too. Also, unwanted downloads and/or installation can be caused by clicking deceptive advertisements that are designed to execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is not safe to download software, files from untrustworthy, unofficial pages, through torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, etc. Third party installers should not be used as tools to install any software as well. The safest way to downloaded files and programs is by using direct links and and official websites. Furthermore, it is not recommended to finish downloads and installations without checking setups for "Custom", "Advanced" or other similar settings. Those settings often mention offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. Additionally, it is recommended not to click intrusive ads as well. They often open untrustworthy/potentially malicious websites or even cause unwanted downloads, installations. In most cases such ads appear on shady websites. Although, in some cases they may appear on legitimate pages too. If there are any unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons and/or plug-ins installed on a browser, then they should be removed. The same should be done with programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Appearance of Perfect Optimizer application (GIF):
Installation setup of Perfect Optimizer application:
Downloader of Perfect Optimizer's installer:
Downloader designed to download Perfect Optimizer and promote Avast, and McAfee:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes 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 Perfect Optimizer?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove malicious plug-ins from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
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.
Windows XP users:
Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.
Windows 10 and Windows 8 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.
Mac 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 "Perfect Optimizer" 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, Perfect Optimizer 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 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 perfect optimizer 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.
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 perfect optimizer 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 perfect optimizer 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 perfect optimizer 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.
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.
Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove perfect optimizer potentially unwanted application from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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