How to remove PC Cleaner Pro (Rogue Program – Virus)

PC Cleaner Pro (PC Cleaners, PC Cleaner Pro 2015 ) is a rogue optimization software that gets on your computer as a bundled software when you download and install other free software from the Internet. When PC Cleaner Pro is installed on your computer, it runs on Windows Start-up and asks to enter (buy) a serial key to fix the optimization issues found on your system. 

The PC Cleaner Pro looks legitimate, but if you want to uninstall the program from your computer (Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs), then your computer freezes and the only way to get your computer back in operation is to shut it down using the power button.

• DO NOT PRESS the “Next” button too fast at the installation screens.
• READ & ACCEPT CAREFULLY the Terms and Agreements.
• ALWAYS SELECT: “Custom” installation.
• DECLINE to install any offered additional software that you don’t want to install.
• UNCHECK any option that says that your homepage and search settings will be modified.

How to remove PC Cleaner Pro from your computer:

Step 1: Start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking.

Start your computer in Safe mode with network support. To do that:

Windows 7, Vista & XP users:

1. Close all programs and reboot your computer.
2. Press the "F8" key as your computer is booting up, before the appearance of the Windows logo.
3. When the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" appears on your screen, use your keyboard arrow keys to highlight the “Safe Mode with Networking” option and then press "ENTER".

Windows 8 & 8.1 users*:

* Also works in Windows 7, Vista & XP.

1. Press “Windows”   + “R” keys to load the Run dialog box.

2. Type “msconfig” and press Enter.

3. Click the Boot tab and check “Safe Boot” & “Network”.

4. Click “OK” and restart your computer.

Note: In order to boot Windows in “Normal Mode” again, you have to uncheck the “Safe Boot” setting by using the same procedure.

Step 2. Remove PC Cleaner Pro malicious registry settings with RogueKiller.

{The RogueKiller is an anti-malware program written and is able to detect, stop & remove generic malwares and some advanced threats such as rootkits, rogues, worms, etc. }

1. Download and save "RogueKiller" utility on your computer'* (e.g. your Desktop)

Notice*: Download version x86 or X64 according to your operating system's version. To find your operating system's version, "Right Click" on your computer icon, choose "Properties" and look at "System Type" section

2. Double Click to run RogueKiller.

3. Wait until the pre-scan is completed and then, read and “Accept” the license terms.

4. Press the “Scan” button to scan your computer for malicious threats and malicious startup entries.

5. Finally, when the full scan is completed, check all items found at “Registry” and "Web Browsers" tabs, and then press the "Delete"button to remove them.

6. Close “RogueKiller” and continue to the next step.

Step 3. Uninstall PC Cleaner Pro from your Control Panel.

1. To do this, go to:

• Windows 7 & Vista: Start > Control Panel.
• Windows XP: Start > Settings > Control Panel

• Windows 8 & 8.1:

1. Press “Windows”    + “R” keys to load the Run dialog box.
2. Type “control panel” and press Enter.

2. Double click to open:

•  Add or Remove Programs if you have Windows XP
• Programs and Features (or “Uninstall a Program”) if you have Windows 8, 7 or Vista.

3. When the program list is displayed on your screen:

1. Sort the the programs displayed by Installation date (Click at Installed On).
2. Remove (Uninstall) any unknown program that was recently installed on your system.
3. Uninstall the follow applications:

• PC Cleaners

Step 4. Manually delete remaining PC Cleaner Pro files.

1. Open Windows explorer and navigate to “C:\ProgramData\” folder.

2. Delete all the folders listed below, if they exist:

• PC Cleaners
• PC1Data

Step 5: Remove PC Cleaner Pro with AdwCleaner.

1. Download and save “AdwCleaner” utility to your computer.

2. Close all open programs and Double Click to open ”AdwCleaner” from your computer.

3. After accepting the “License Agreement”, press the “Scan” button.

4. When the scan is completed, press “Clean” to remove all the unwanted malicious entries.

5. Press “OK” at “AdwCleaner – Information” and press “OK” again to restart your computer.

6. When your computer restarts, close "AdwCleaner" information (readme) window and continue to the next step.

Step 6. Remove PC Cleaner Pro with the Junkware Removal Tool.

1. Download and run JRT – Junkware Removal Tool.

2. Press any key to start scanning your computer with “JRT – Junkware Removal Tool”.

3. Be patient until JRT scans and cleans your system.

4. Close JRT log file and and then reboot your computer.

Step 7. Remove PC Cleaner Pro with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free.

Download and install one of the most reliable FREE anti malware programs today to clean your computer from remaining malicious threats. If you want to stay constantly protected from malware threats, existing and future ones, we recommend that you install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium:

Malwarebytes™ Protection
Removes Spyware, Adware & Malware.
Start Your Free Download Now!

Quick download & Installation instructions:

• After you click the above link, press at the “Start My Free 14-Trial” option to start your download.

• To install the FREE version of this amazing product, uncheck the “Enable free Trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium” option at the last installation screen.

Scan & Clean your computer with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

1. Run "Malwarebytes Anti-Malware" and allow the program to update to its latest version and malicious database if needed.

2. When the update process is completed, press the “Scan Now” button to start scanning your system for malware and unwanted programs.

3. Now wait until Malwarebytes Anti-Malware finishes scanning your computer for malware.

4. When the scan has completed, press the “Quarantine All” button to remove all threats found.

5. Wait until Malwarebytes Anti-Malware removes all infections from your system and then restart your computer (if required from the program) to completely remove all active threats.

6. After the system restart, run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware again to verify that no other threats remain in your system.

You 're done!

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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

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