Can't Remove PC Cleaner Pro from Security Center
I installed PC Clean Pro because I was directed to the link to clean my registry. After installing and running the program it told me all these errors I have and then requested a payment to repair them. I have uninstalled pc cleaner pro from
my pc but, it keeps showing up in the security center under the anti virus and says that it is turned off. How do i completely remove it from my pc? I have tried to uninstall it through the add/remove section since it does not have its own uninstall.
I even tried using system mechanic professional to uninstall it but, it keeps showing up in my security center. Any help out there on what I should do?
February 9th, 2012 11:11pm
Hello James,
I'd suggest you start with a full scan using MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware.
Download & save Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam-download.php
Right Click mbam-setup.exe & select Run as Administrator to begin it's setup.
* Make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and aunch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware then click Finish.
* If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
* Once the program has loaded, select Perform FULL Scan, then click Scan.
* The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
* When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
* Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
After it completes, Make very sure you re-review at Windows 7 Action Center. Windows-key >> Control Panel >> Action Center.
In the Security block, click on down arrow & review what it says fo all lines. Especially for firewall, virus protection, spyware protection.
Make changes as needed.
Make sure UAC is on.
If you still have residual issues, consider getting expert guided help for free at an anti-malware forum ! Malware cleanups are most often too complicated to deal with.
** Help at malware removal forums: Read the topmost directions at the forum and Post your logs (as required by the forum)
to one (and only one) of the following
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30
http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=9573
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22.html
http://forum.malwareremoval.com/viewforum.php?f=11
http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/index.php?showforum=18
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5&sid=24750ebcb0d878746c0ca7ab9210f7ae
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22
or other appropriate forums for expert analysis, not here.**
Make very sure you read and follow the very topmost instructions at the forum you have selected.
Maurice Naggar ~ MS-MVP (Oct 2002 - Sept 2010) DTS-L
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 14th, 2012 9:25am
Hi,
If you really want to remove the PC Cleaner Pro infection on your system manually then proceed as follows.
Step 1: Kill the PC Cleaner Pro Processes
%program_files%\pc clean pro\uninstall.exe
%program_files%\pc clean pro\pc clean pro.exe
%program_files%\pc clean pro\pccleanpro.pkg
Step 2: Remove PC Cleaner Pro files, folders and all associated PC Cleaner Pro DLL files:
pc clean pro.exe
%program_files%\pc clean pro\com\pcprosd.dll
%program_files%\pc clean pro\pc clean pro.db
pccleanpro_installer_eng.exe
pcprosd.dll
%common_programs%\pc clean pro\register pc clean pro.lnk
%common_programs%\pc clean pro\start pc clean pro.lnk
%common_programs%\pc clean pro\uninstall pc clean pro.lnk
%desktopdirectory%\pc clean pro.lnk
%profile%\application data\pc clean pro\log.dat
%profile%\application data\pc clean pro\settings.dat
%program_files%\pc clean pro\uninstall.exe
%program_files%\pc clean pro\pc clean pro.exe
%program_files%\pc clean pro\pccleanpro.pkg
%program_files%\pc clean pro\program.info
%program_files%\pc clean pro\com\pcprosd.dll
pccleanpro_installer_eng.exe
%program_files%\pc clean pro\uninstall.exe
Step 3: Uninstall PC Cleaner Pro registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run PCCleanPro
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\allfilesystemobjects\shellex\contextmenuhandlers\pcprosd.dll
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\clsid\{5c5de06d-cf99-47d6-9bab-61001fee4721}\
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run pc clean pro
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\pc clean pro
{5c5de06d-cf99-47d6-9bab-61001fee4721}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\uninstall\pc clean pro
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\uninstall\pc clean pro displayname
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\uninstall\pc clean pro uninstallstring
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\pc clean pro
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\pc clean pro info
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\pc clean pro pstatus
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\pc clean pro version
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run pc clean pro
Hope that helps.
February 15th, 2012 3:53am
I couldn't get rid of PC Cleaners Pro virus for days, even using 2 so-called complete uninstallers.
Then I learned how easy it really is.....
1.Reboot your computer in "Safe Mode, With Networking."
2.Then as you normally would, go to Control Panel and simply uninstall the PC Cleaners Pro program.
It sounds too easy, I know, especially compared to some of the other suggestions. But I did it today, and it worked instantly. No trace of the program at all.
However, I would encourage you to follow-up with a Malwarebytes scan, a deep anti-virus scan, and whatever registry editor you trust. After these things, you should be good-to-go.
Good luck.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
April 21st, 2012 3:59am
I couldn't get rid of PC Cleaners Pro virus for days, even using 2 so-called complete uninstallers.
Then I learned how easy it really is.....
1.Reboot your computer in "Safe Mode, With Networking."
2.Then as you normally would, go to Control Panel and simply uninstall the PC Cleaners Pro program.
It sounds too easy, I know, especially compared to some of the other suggestions. But I did it today, and it worked instantly. No trace of the program at all.
However, I would encourage you to follow-up with a Malwarebytes scan, a deep anti-virus scan, and whatever registry editor you trust. After these things, you should be good-to-go.
Good luck.
April 21st, 2012 3:59am
Thank you RRPDMD. Good old Safe Mode. It has come in might handy over the years.
I was directed to PC Cleaner Pro when errors were found in my registry. I installed as directed and it found all kinds of errors. This computer is almost 10 years old. I have added and replaced different components over the years. Overall it has been a good
computer. I should have taken warning after it found all those errors, THEN it says it will fix them for a price. But this is a "trusted" partner of Microsoft. So I paid it. It appeared to fix things but the computer was running even slower than before.
I called the company and had weird support. I am pretty sure the call center is in India or Pakistan or some place like that. The guy's English was alright but the background noise made it virtually impossible to hear what he was saying. Then he gave me a
web address to go to and after clicking continue a few times, he is on my machine. He was opening up windows and checking and telling me this computer is in critical condition.
All of this happened so quickly. I told him I did not want him to do anything else on my computer and started exiting out of the windows that he had opened. I have since removed this computer from our network. I have a new computer running windows 7 with
Microsoft Security Essentials. I have been moving files from my old computer to my new one. My old computer was windows xp and had all updates current. I was using Avast antivirus and had recently installed malwarebytes. Both had updates current.
The reason I felt I could trust this company: http://pinpoint.microsoft.com/en-CA/PartnerDetails.aspx?PartnerId=4298259975
That was a very scary feeling. I don't plan on doing that again. Does Microsoft check up on these "partners"? They need to take a look at this one. I won't be trusting the partner label any more.
EDIT: This is just confusing. There appears to be two web addresses - www.pc-cleaners.com is what is listed above as a partner. The one I was directed to is http://www.pccleanerpro.com/. When you go to http://www.pc-cleaners.com/ it
takes you to a similar looking site with the same phone number. So it really is a certified partner and are the same company.
They also have a Better Business Bureaus A+ logo and are actually listed on the BBB site with an A+ rating.
http://www.la.bbb.org/business-reviews/Computer-Software-Services/PC-Cleaner-Inc-in-Newport-Beach-CA-100102486
Here is a recent complaint listed on BBB site:
Additional Notes
Complaint: 07/18/2012: I purchased PC Cleaner & anti virus pro products & my computer was all messed up after running both of them. Service told
me it would cost $200. When I called service, they did a diagnostic & told me it would cost me $200. to get it fixed! when I told them I would take it to my IT, I was told never to call again! the guys name was Shashank Milak, I believe. After removing
the software, I was able to restore my computer to a date previous to my purchase & all is well now. Less your product!
Business response: Thank you for trying PC Cleaner Pro. Your account is now refunded. Please allow up to 3 to 7 business days to appear on credit card.
Thank You PC Cleaner Support Team
Consumer rebuttal: I am satisfied with the resolution and hope that the operator involved is dealt with.
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August 4th, 2012 4:54pm