How tu uninstall SpeedFixTool from a computer?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
SpeedFixTool removal instructions
What is SpeedFixTool?
SpeedFixTool is advertised as a simple and powerful tool to scan, clean and optimize the computer. However, this program is promoted using questionable methods. It means that there is a chance that at least some users would download and install SpeedFixTool unknowingly. Programs that users download and install unintentionally are categrized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Research shows that SpeedFixTool has a scanner that checks a computer for junk files, temporary files, cache and issues with the system registry. However, it is possible that this program does not finds/detects real issues and fixes them and generates fake results. In other words, it is there is possibility that SpeedFixTool is designed to trick users into paying money for its registration (it may show a list of non-existing issues to trick users into believing that they could improve computer performance with the registered SpeedFixTool version). It is important to mention that there are PUAs that are monetized by designing them to generate fake scan results. Since SpeedFixTool is categorized a PUA, it is possible that it uses deception to generate revenue for its developer.
Another issue with PUAs is that they often come bundled together with PUAs of other types, e.g., browser hijackers, adware. Browser hijackers change the browser's settings to promote the address of a fake search engine. Usually they change the address of a default search engine, homepage, and new tab to an address of a fake search engine and do not allow to undo these changes unless users uninstall them. Adware displays ads that, if clicked, could open suspicious websites or download, or even install unwanted software by running certain scripts. Both browser hijackers and adware can be designed to collect data like geolocations, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries, IP addresses, etc, or even sensitive information. Moreover, collected details could be misused for malicious purposes, e.g., it could be sold to third parties or be monetized in other ways.
Name | SpeedFixTool potentially unwanted application |
Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application) |
Supposed Functionality | System optimizer |
Detection Names (Installer) | Avast (FileRepMalware), BitDefender (Application.Deceptor.ATM), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/UwS.PCCleaningUtility.B), Kaspersky (Hoax.Win32.SpeedFix.a), Microsoft (Misleading:Win32/Lodi), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Detection Names (Application) | Avast (Win32:Malware-gen), BitDefender (Application.Deceptor.ATL), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/UwS.PCCleaningUtility.B), Kaspersky (HEUR:Hoax.MSIL.SpeedFix.gen), Microsoft (Misleading:Win32/Lodi), 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. |
More examples of programs that are more or less similar to SpeedFixTool are PC Optimizer Pro, Garbage Cleaner and PC Accelerate. They are not malicious or harmful in some other way, however, trusting them could lead to spending money for useless software. Therefore, it is strongly advisable to do a research on software before paying for its activation/registration.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
One of the popular ways to distribute potentially unwanted applications is to include them in download and/or installation setups of other programs as extra offers. In other words, to bundle them together with other, mainly free software (freeware). As a rule, unwanted offers can be declined via "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings, or by unticking available checkboxes, and it can be done before finishing downloads, installations. When users download or install programs that come bundled with other apps without changing any settings, they end up having unwanted software downloaded or installed on their computers, browsers. Sometimes users cause such downloads, installations by clicking deceptive advertisements - by clicking ads that are capable of running certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download software from legitimate sources such as official websites, via direct links. Avoid using third party downloaders (and installers), unofficial pages, torrent clients, eMule and other Peer-to-Peer networks, free file hosting sites, etc. Do not finish downloads, installations without checking if there are any settings or checkboxes that could be used to decline unwanted offer. Especially when the software is free. Avoid clicking advertisements that appear on questionable sites, e.g., on adult dating, pornography, gambling sites (it is common that ads on such pages are used to promote other shady pages distribute unwanted software). Make sure that there are no unwanted extensions, add-ons, plug-ins or other software installed on a browser or computer. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Appearance of SpeedFixTool application (GIF):
Installation setup of SpeedFixTool application:
Website promoting SpeedFixTool 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 SpeedFixTool?
- 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 "SpeedFixTool" 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, SpeedFixTool 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 speedfixtool 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 speedfixtool 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 speedfixtool 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 speedfixtool 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 speedfixtool potentially unwanted application from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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