How to Remove Windows PC Repair Pop-Up Ads?

Encountering Windows PC Repair pop-ups in your browser can be a result of adware or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). These malicious software generate intrusive ads to promote Windows PC Repair through certain websites, affecting popular browsers like Google Chrome and Internet Explorer.

Several advertisements are circulating the internet concerning the Windows PC Repair tool. The developers of this bogus program use pop-ups or banners to deliver the virus into your device. The ad usually detects details of your system and injects them into the advertisement. Visiting suspicious websites may also redirect you into installing the rogue app.

So, if you cannot escape annoying pop-ups that promote this bogus tool, we are here to help you. In this article, we will discuss the Windows PC Repair virus removal from Windows.

What is the “Windows PC Repair” Virus?

The Windows PC Repair virus is fake browser-based adware that tricks you into installing PUPs on your PC. In non-techie terms, the fake pop-up error message will make you think that a virus has been detected or your computer is about to crash. As you can imagine, the scareware might make you install malicious programs on your computer.

The ads usually cover a full page, and they reportedly promote a rogue application called Reimage Plus, which is linked to many browser hijackers and ad-injectors.

Threat Summary

Type: PUP, adware, rogue application

Description: It is a fake message that pops up while you are browsing the web. The message is associated with various browser hijackers, ad networks, and reportedly, bogus applications like Reimage Plus.

Symptoms: You will see many advertisements all over your browser, including in-text links, pop-ups, and message boxes, among others. Usually, the fake message will try to trick you into clicking a link or button, which will install the virus.

Methods of Distributions: Usually bundled with software, freeware installations, spam emails, and ad-injectors

Why Are You Seeing the Windows PC Repair Pop-Up Ads?

You are getting the “Windows PC Repair” pop-up ads because your computer is infected with adware. Sometimes, a malicious website could redirect you into them. So, if you spot a pop-up claiming to be Windows PC Repair, ignore it completely. It is easy to conceal a YES button to appear like a CANCEL button.

If you encountered the Windows PC Repair virus, it is more likely that you have opened a spam email or visited a website that asked you to install or update Flash or similar programs like Java or Media Player. That is why we recommend that you read the Terms and Agreements and optional installs that are included in a software installer before installing any program. In other words, don’t be too fast to hit Next or OK during the installation process.

Unfortunately, some freeware might not disclose all the software that will be installed together as a package, meaning that you may have installed the adware without knowing. If that is the case, then you have to find a way to remove it immediately.

Here are common signs that will tell you if the adware has infected your system:

• You are getting multiple advertisements in places that usually don’t show them.
• Browser pop-ups ask you to install fake updates or other software.
• Your web browser will start misbehaving – for instance, changing your homepage without your permission.
• Website links reroute you to unexpected sites.
• Some familiar web pages might not display properly.
• Other unwanted programs might find their way into your computer without your knowledge.

How to Remove the Windows PC Repair Pop-Up Ads?

This virus removal guide may appear overwhelming to novice users due to the many steps and programs used. To eliminate the virus entirely, you need to follow through all the steps.

Step 1: Use the System Restore Feature

System Restore is a Windows utility that can help you fix some computer problems. So, if you have created some restore points on your computer, you can easily roll back to a previous working state. Usually, any programs that were installed after creating a restore point will be uninstalled if you revert to that point.

If rolling back to a restore point doesn’t solve the problem, then it is likely that the virus might have disabled the System Restore utility. In this case, you have no choice but to remove the virus, including all its components.

Step 2: Boot Your Computer into Safe Mode

If the affected PC is on, restart it, then follow these instructions:

1. As your PC starts, tap the F8 key repeatedly until the Advanced Options menu shows up. When prompted for your administrator credentials, just enter your username and password, and then hit OK.
2. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the Safe Mode option, then press Enter.
3. When your computer boots into Safe Mode, you can proceed with the other steps.

Step 3: Remove Windows PC Repair Virus from Windows

Delete the Virus Using Control Panel

1. Go to Start, then type control panel into the search box.
2. Choose the Control Panel from the list of results, then navigate to the Uninstall a program link under the Programs section.
3. Wait for the Programs and Features screen to open, then look for malicious programs like Windows PC Repair.
4. Highlight the suspicious programs, then tap on the Uninstall button. After that, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Delete the Virus Using Task Manager

1. Open the Task Manager by pressing the Windows, Shift, and Esc keys simultaneously.
2. Now, navigate to the Processes tab, then search for any suspicious process.
3. Right-click on them, then select Open File Location. You can then scan them using a reputable antivirus program.
4. After that, end their processes and delete all their folders. If an antivirus doesn’t detect something and you feel it is suspicious, don’t hesitate to delete it.

Step 4: Remove the Windows PC Repair Virus from the Affected Browser

If you are still getting Windows PC Repair pop-ups, then you might need to delete all extensions associated with this virus, and then reset the affected browser to its default settings. Follow the steps below to eliminate the virus from your browser:

Internet Explorer

1. To remove the Windows PC repair virus from Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon in the top-right corner of your browser.
2. Click on the Manage add-ons option, then search for Windows PC Repair and any related extensions. Deactivate them by tapping Disable.
3. If the homepage was altered by the virus, head back to the Menu icon, and then choose Internet options.
4. Navigate to the General tab and remove the malicious URL. Replace it with your preferred one – for instance, Google.
5. After that, click Apply to save the changes.
6. You also need to reset the browser to its default settings. To do that, click on the menu icon and choose Internet options.
7. Now, navigate to the Advanced tab, and then choose Reset.
8. When the Reset window appears, check the Delete personal settings box, then click on the Reset button.

Mozilla Firefox

1. To remove malicious extensions, click on the menu icon and choose Add-ons > Extensions.
2. Now, look for Windows PC Repair and any related plugins and click the Remove button.
3. Next, reset the Mozilla Firefox browser. To do that, hit the Menu icon, then the question mark (?), and select Troubleshooting Information.
4. You will see an option to reset Firefox to its default state. Click on it and confirm the action by clicking Reset Firefox.

Google Chrome

1. Launch Google Chrome.
2. Click on the Menu icon and choose Tools > Extensions.
3. Look for Windows PC Repair and other malicious extensions, then check the Enabled box and hit the Delete icon.
4. Go back to Menu and select Settings > Search > Managed Search engines.
5. Now, look for malicious search sites, then delete them as well. You can leave Google as the default domain name.
6. After that, reset Chrome by going to Menu and choosing Settings.
7. Scroll down until you see the Reset browser settings option.
8. Highlight it, then click Reset to complete the process.

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge, then hit the three dots in the top-right corner to reveal more options.
2. Next, click on Settings, then navigate to the Clear browsing data section and hit the Choose what to clear button.
3. Now, choose what you want to delete and click Clear.
4. Once you have done that, right-click on the Start icon (Windows logo) and open the Task Manager.
5. Navigate to the Processes tab and look for Microsoft Edge.
6. After that, right-click on it and select Go to details.
7. Wait for the Details screen to appear, then look for all the entries with Microsoft Edge name in it.
8. Remove these entries by right-clicking on them and choosing End task.

Step 5: Use the Microsoft Safety Scanner

The “Windows PC Repair” virus often hides in different places on your computer. You can detect some of its files by running the Microsoft Safety Scanner. Here is how to do it:

1. Download the Microsoft Safety Scanner by following this address: http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
2. If you have already downloaded and installed it on your computer, restart your PC in Safe Mode.
3. Now, launch the Microsoft Safety Scanner (sometimes, labeled as msert) by double-clicking on its icon.
4. Check the box next to the Accept all terms of the preceding license agreement option, then hit Next.
5. After that, click on the Quick Scan button, then Next.
6. Wait for the Microsoft Safety Scanner to scan your computer fully. It usually takes a few minutes. After that, click View detailed results of the scan.
7. If the PC Repair virus is present in your system, you will see the Win32/FakeSysdef file listed in the results.

Step 6: Double Check the Virus with Outbyte Antivirus

Besides using the manual virus removal methods, also scan your computer for infected files and other system corruptions that might have happened. Using a reliable program like Outbyte Antivirus, you should be able to get rid of malicious applications and associated files as well as other malicious objects that might be running on your computer. It also enables you to delete any leftovers of the Windows PC Repair virus.

Final Thoughts

If you followed the above step correctly, your computer should now be free of Windows PC Repair pop-up ads. If you have an active antivirus and it didn’t detect the virus, consider upgrading it to a better one. You should also be careful when installing software, especially from unverified sources.