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Ads by Desktop-play

Also Known As: Desktop-play adware
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Desktop-play?

Desktop-play is a rogue browser plug-in claiming to enable users to find, download, and play various games directly from the desktop. Although some users might find this functionality legitimate and useful, Desktop-play is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

The developers of this dubious browser add-on employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software.

Once Desktop-play installs on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' consent, this plug-in generates intrusive online advertisements and tracks users' Internet browsing activity.

Desktop-play adware

Banner, pop-up, and in-text are just some examples of advertisements generated by this adware, some of which often redirect to bogus websites containing infectious content, thereby exposing computers to risk of infection.

Furthermore, information collected by this rogue application (IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) is likely to be related to system software/hardware and may contain personally identifiable details. Therefore, having Desktop-play installed on your system may lead to serious privacy issues or identity theft.

For these reasons, you are strongly advised to uninstall Desktop-play from your Internet browsers immediately.

There are hundreds of other bogus applications similar or identical to Desktop-play. For instance, System Notifier, Number Ascend, ZoomApp, and PayYou also claim to provide various features to improve the Internet browsing experience. None provide any real value to the user.

Adware-type applications such as Desktop-play display various intrusive online advertisements and share collected data with third parties to generate revenue. Most adware is distributed using small programs called 'download clients' on freeware download websites such as soft32.com, softonic.com, download.com, and many others.

Download clients supposedly ease the software download process, however, they offer installation of third party applications together with regular software, or simply hide installation of them under the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options. Developers describe these applications as 'legitimate and virus-free', however, most are adware or malware.

To avoid these computer infections, closely analyse each step when downloading free software and opt-out of any third party applications included. Furthermore, software downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options - this will reveal any concealed applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out.

If you have installed Desktop-play, the following instructions will guide you through the removal of this PUP from your system.

Deceptive free software installers used in desktop-play adware distribution:

desktop-play adware installer sample 2 desktop play adware installer

Desktop-play adware installer set-up:

Installer set-up of Desktop-play application

Screenshot of Desktop-play application:

Desktop-play app

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Quick menu:

Desktop-play 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.

desktop-play adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Desktop-play 000.042010151", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Desktop-play ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Desktop-play adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, Desktop-play 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 logo Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Desktop-play ads 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 Desktop-play ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the desktop-play adware, 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 logo Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing Desktop-play ads 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 "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Removing Desktop-play ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the desktop-play adware, 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 logo Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Desktop-play ads 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Removing Desktop-play ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with desktop-play adware 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 desktop-play adware, 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.

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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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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

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

QR Code
Desktop-play adware QR code
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