FacebookTwitterLinkedIn

Games Desktop Adware

Also Known As: Games Desktop ads
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Games Desktop?

Created by Tuto4Pc, Games Desktop is a potentially unwanted program claiming to enable users to download free popular games.

Although this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that Games Desktop is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP) since it employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen free software) to install on Internet browsers without users' consent.

Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome, Games Desktop generates numerous intrusive online advertisement that are likely to cause high-risk adware or malware infections. For example: coupon, banner, pop-up, and in-text ads.

games desktop adware

In addition, users' Internet browsing activity is continually monitored, since this potentially unwanted browser add-on collects various information such as IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, ads clicked, and other details that may be personally identifiable.

This behavior could lead to serious privacy issues or identity theft. There are many potentially unwanted programs similar to Games Desktop including, for example, BuyNsave, Click Caption, OneSoftPerDay, and MyBestOffersToday.

These browser plug-ins are useless to the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online advertisements. Therefore, Internet users are strongly advised to uninstall Games Desktop from their Internet browsers.

Close examination of Games Desktop reveals that it is mostly distributed using free software download managers on freeware download websites such as softonic.com, download.com, soft32.com and many others.

Download managers are used by these websites as free service monetization tools since they offer installation of promoted 'legitimate' browser extensions together with the chosen free software. Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.

This situation can be prevented by inspecting each step of the free software download process and never accepting installation of any additional programs offered.

Furthermore, if you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options - this will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation together with the downloaded software and allow you to decline them. If you have already installed Games Desktop, follow the removal instructions provided to eliminate this adware from your Internet browsers.

Deceptive free software installers used in Games Desktop adware distribution:

gamesdesktop adware installer sample 13 gamesdesktop adware installer sample 12 games desktop adware installer sample 11 games desktop installer sample 10 games desktop adware installer sample 9 games desktop adware installer sample 8 games desktop adware installer sample 7 gamesdesktop adware installer sample 6 games desktop adware installer sample 5 games desktop adware installer sample 4 games desktop adware installer sample 3 games desktop adware installer sample 2 games desktop adware installer

Games Desktop adware generating intrusive pop-up ads - gmsd_ca_482.exe file ('Message from a webpage'):

"Brand new iPhone 6 for 1$?":

games desktop - message from webpage pop-up ad

Another sample of an intrusive pop-up ad generated by Games Desktop adware:

gamesd esktop adware generating pop-up ads sample 2

Attention: Your Browser seems to have encountered a problem because your IP address may have a severe adware/malware attack. To block access to your personal and financial information from foreign IP’s, Windows has blocked access to the Internet. It is highly recommended that you call network diagnostic experts and get the issue fixed. Please call 1-855-710-0010 for free diagnosis. (24x7 Toll Free Support Line)

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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

Games Desktop adware removal:

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.

games desktop adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "GamesDesktop", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes GamesDesktop ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Games Desktop adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, Games Desktop did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing games desktop related extensions from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gears" 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 games desktop related extensions from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the games desktop ads, 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 games desktop related extensions from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Removing games desktop related extensions from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the games desktop ads, 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing games desktop related 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Removing games desktop related extensions from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with games desktop ads 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 games desktop ads, 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:
If you have additional information on games desktop ads or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion

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.

Our malware removal guides are free. However, if you want to support us you can send us a donation.

About PCrisk

PCrisk is a cyber security portal, informing Internet users about the latest digital threats. Our content is provided by security experts and professional malware researchers. Read more about us.

Removal Instructions in other languages
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
Games Desktop ads QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Games Desktop ads on your mobile device.
We Recommend:

Get rid of Windows malware infections today:

▼ REMOVE IT NOW
Download Combo Cleaner

Platform: Windows

Editors' Rating for Combo Cleaner:
Editors ratingOutstanding!

[Back to Top]

To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.