How to uninstall the PC SmartCare program?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
PC SmartCare removal instructions
What is PC SmartCare?
PC SmartCare is advertised as a tool which allows users to scan their computers for viruses, issues with network and security, installed software, hardware and connected devices. Although, it is being distributed using questionable methods - it is very likely that there are users who installed this program on a computer unintentionally. For this reason PC SmartCare is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA).
The problem with most programs that are categorized as PUAs and supposed to improve computer performance and/or fix various issues is that they do not fix any actual problems. In other words, they perform fake scans - display fake results. It is common that PUAs are designed to generate fake results with a purpose to trick users into paying money for their activation/registration. It is unknown whether PC SmartCare detects real of fake issues, however, there is a possibility that it does not function as it supposed to. It is worthwhile to mention that developers often distribute PUAs alongside with other programs of this kind, for example, browser hijackers, adware. Typically, browser hijackers are designed to promote fake search engines (their addresses) by changing browser settings such as address of the default search engine, homepage and/or new tab so that users would visit a certain address when they enter search queries into URL bar, open a browser and/or new tab. Adware is a type of software that serves banners, coupons, surveys, pop-ups and/or other types of advertisements. Quite often those ads are designed to open shady, potentially malicious pages. Sometimes they are designed to cause downloads and/or installations of potentially unwanted applications by executing certain scripts. Both adware and browser hijackers can be designed to collect IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, etc. Although, in some cases they can target sensitive information as well. Moreover, their developers may sell gathered data to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) or misuse it to generate revenue in other ways. These are the main reasons why apps of this type should not be installed, it is advised not to trust software like PC SmartCare as well.
| Name | PC SmartCare potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application) |
| Supposed Functionality | Removal of issues with hardware, software, network, security |
| Detection Names | DrWeb (Program.Unwanted.4698), Malwarebytes (PUP.Optional.AnswersBy), VBA32 (TScope.Trojan.Delf), 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. |
PCMate Free Driver Backup, PCMate Free Registry Cleaner and SuperEasy Registry Cleaner are a couple of examples of other programs that are categorized as PUAs. What most of them have in common is that they detect various issues but do not fix them unless users pay for software activation. A couple of examples of how most users download and/or install PUAs are described in the next paragraph.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Usually PUAs are distributed by integrating them in download, installation setups of other programs as additional offers. This distribution method is known as "bundling". In most cases offers to download and/or install included apps can be found in settings like "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" of setups. Nevertheless, not all users check and change those settings (or untick available checkboxes) when they download and/or install programs. When they download and/or install programs without changing default setting they allow for apps that are included in their setups to be downloaded and/or installed too. In some cases unintentional downloads, installations can be caused through deceptive advertisements that are designed to execute certain scripts. Although, those ads can cause it only if users click them.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Installations and downloads should not be completed without checking setups for settings like "Custom", "Advanced". If those settings mention offers to download and/or install unwanted apps, then they should be declined before completing download and/or installation process. Software (and files) should be downloaded only from trustworthy, official websites and via direct links. Third party downloaders (and installers), Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule (and other networks of this type), unofficial pages, etc., can be and often are used to distribute/promote PUAs. Sometimes even malicious programs. Advertisements on shady pages should not be clicked as well - they can be designed to open various untrustworthy websites or even download, install unwanted apps. All unwanted, unknown apps (extensions, add-ons or plug-ins) that are (if are) installed on a web browser should be removed from it. The same should be done with software of this kind that is installed on a computer (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 PC SmartCare application (GIF):
Installation setup of PC SmartCare application:
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 PC SmartCare?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove malicious plug-ins from Internet Explorer.
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 "PC SmartCare" 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, PC SmartCare 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 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 pc smartcare 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 pc smartcare 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 pc smartcare 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.
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 pc smartcare 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.
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 pc smartcare potentially unwanted application from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!
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