AdwCleaner can remove unwanted Toolbars and Page Hijackers

AdwCleaner

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AdwCleaner

  -  8.4 MB  -  Freeware
Free Download

Security Status

AdwCleaner is a powerful program that is specifically designed to search for and remove adware, toolbars, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), and browser hijackers from your computer.



By using AdwCleaner, you can easily eliminate these types of programs, improving your overall user experience and browsing safety. It effectively frees your computer from unwanted programs and malware, helping to restore optimal performance.

Is your PC acting strangely? It could be plagued with adware, PUPs, or a browser hijacker. Malwarebytes AdwCleaner is here to help. It scans and removes annoying programs that slow down your computer and hinder its performance.

AdwCleaner targets programs that are often bundled with free software downloads from the internet. Many times, when you download and install a program, the installation process may mention that additional programs will be installed alongside the main program.

Unless you perform a Custom install and carefully review the options, these unwanted programs will be automatically installed on your computer, resulting in extra browser toolbars, adware, and other unwanted software.

AdwCleaner is specifically designed to detect and remove these types of programs, effectively freeing your computer from unwanted programs and malware.

Adware, as the name suggests, is software that displays unwanted ads. It can be in the form of free software supported by advertisements that appear in pop-up windows or toolbars on your computer or web browser. While most adware is annoying but harmless, some types may collect your personal information, track your browsing habits, or even record your keystrokes.

Adware is commonly bundled with free software, but it can also be installed on your browser or operating system through security vulnerabilities. You may suspect that your device is infected with adware if you start seeing unexpected ads in applications where they hadn't appeared before, or if pop-ups appear on your computer's desktop even when you're not browsing the internet. Another sign may be if your browser's homepage has been changed without your consent. You can use an adware scanner, such as the one included in AdwCleaner, to check if your device is infected.

To prevent adware, it's important to use an antivirus program with an adware cleaner feature. Additionally, make sure to keep your browser, operating system, and software up to date with the latest updates and security patches. Enabling a firewall when using the internet can also provide an extra layer of protection.

Download AdwCleaner now to effectively remove adware and other unwanted programs from your Windows PC and enjoy a cleaner, safer browsing experience.

Is AdwCleaner included in Malwarebytes?

Yes, but AdwCleaner is included as a separate tool within the Malwarebytes software suite. Malwarebytes acquired AdwCleaner in 2016 to enhance its capabilities in detecting and removing potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and adware.

AdwCleaner specializes in scanning and eliminating adware, browser hijackers, and other unwanted software that can affect your computer's performance and browsing experience. While both tools are part of the Malwarebytes family, they serve slightly different purposes and can be used together for a comprehensive malware and PUP removal solution.

Although both ADWCleaner and Malwarebytes target Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) and some Potentially Unwanted Modifications (PUMs), they have distinct detection capabilities.

While there are plans to integrate all of ADWCleaner's detections and signatures into Malwarebytes in the future, this integration has not yet occurred. Consequently, ADWCleaner can still identify certain items that Malwarebytes does not, although the disparity is not as significant as before.

Malwarebytes has become more proactive in classifying and detecting items as PUPs, but if you frequently download unknown software or installers that may contain PUPs, it is still advisable to occasionally scan with ADWCleaner to ensure you haven't inadvertently installed any PUPs that Malwarebytes might have missed.

Features

Adware and PUP detection and removal
AdwCleaner is specifically designed to target and remove adware, PUPs, and other unwanted programs that may be causing intrusive ads, redirecting web pages, or compromising your browsing experience.

Browser reset
It has a built-in feature that allows you to reset your web browsers to their default settings, which can help remove unwanted extensions, home page hijackers, and other browser-related issues.

Scan and clean system folders
It scans system folders, such as Program Files and ProgramData, for potentially unwanted files and folders that may have been installed by adware or other PUPs.

Quarantine and restore
It has a quarantine feature that allows you to isolate suspicious files and restore them later if needed, giving you more control over the cleaning process.

Regular update
AdwCleaner is regularly updated with the latest adware and PUP definitions, ensuring that it can effectively detect and remove the latest threats.

Simple and easy-to-use interface
It has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users, even those with limited technical expertise, to scan and clean their systems.

Languages supported
    
Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, German, Greek, English, Spanish, Basque, French, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

FAQ

Is AdwCleaner safe to use?
Yes, AdwCleaner is generally considered safe to use. It is developed by Adlice Software, a reputable company known for creating effective security tools. However, as with any software, it is always recommended to download AdwCleaner from the official website or a trusted source like FileHorse to ensure you are getting the legitimate version.

Does AdwCleaner remove viruses and malware?
The app is primarily designed to target and remove adware, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), and browser-related issues. It may not be as effective against other types of malware such as viruses, trojans, and worms. For comprehensive protection against all types of malware, it is recommended to use AdwCleaner in conjunction with a reliable antivirus or antimalware solution.

Can AdwCleaner undo changes made during the cleaning process?
Yes, AdwCleaner has a quarantine feature that allows you to isolate suspicious files and restore them later if needed. This can be helpful in case any false positives are detected or if you want to undo changes made during the cleaning process. However, it is important to carefully review the scan results and ensure that you are restoring legitimate files to avoid any potential re-infection.

Does AdwCleaner provide real-time protection?
No, it does not provide real-time protection. It is a reactive tool, meaning it scans and removes adware and PUPs after they have already been installed on your system. It does not actively prevent future infections or provide ongoing monitoring of your system. For real-time protection against malware, you will need to use a dedicated antivirus or antimalware program.

Can I use AdwCleaner alongside my antivirus software?
Yes, it can be used alongside your antivirus software. It is designed to complement antivirus programs by focusing on adware, PUPs, and browser-related issues, which may not be detected by traditional antivirus software. However, it is recommended to use only one antivirus or antimalware program with real-time protection enabled at a time to avoid conflicts and performance issues. You can use AdwCleaner periodically as a supplementary tool for scanning and cleaning your system from adware and PUPs.

Alternatives

Malwarebytes: A popular anti-malware tool that offers both free and premium versions. It is known for its ability to detect and remove malware, adware, and other malicious threats.

Emsisoft Emergency Kit: A portable anti-malware tool that includes a scanner and removal tool for adware, PUPs, and other malicious software.

Norton Power Eraser: A free tool that detects and removes adware, PUPs, and other malware. It is designed to be used as a last resort when other antivirus software has failed to detect and remove a threat.

Zemana AntiMalware: A cloud-based anti-malware tool that scans for and removes adware, PUPs, and other malicious software. It includes a real-time protection feature that blocks malicious files before they can harm your computer.

PROS
  • Effective at detecting and removing adware, PUPs, and other unwanted programs that can cause intrusive ads, browser hijacks, and other annoyances.
  • Quick scans and cleaning process, which can save time and effort in removing unwanted programs from your system.
  • Free to use: AdwCleaner is available for free, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Regular updates ensure that the tool stays effective against the latest threats.
CONS
  • Limited scope: The app focuses on adware, PUPs, and browser-related issues, and may not be as effective against other types of malware, such as viruses, trojans, and worms.
  • No real-time protection: It does not provide real-time protection, which means that it is a reactive tool and may not prevent future infections.
Conclusion

AdwCleaner is a powerful and effective tool for removing adware, PUPs, and browser-related issues from Windows systems. It has a simple and easy-to-use interface, provides regular updates, and is free to use. However, it has a limited scope and does not provide real-time protection, so it is recommended to use it in conjunction with a comprehensive antivirus or antimalware solution for complete protection against all types of malware.

Note: The program doesn't need installation, It is a portable version program.

Download AdwCleaner Latest Version

  • AdwCleaner 8.5.0 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    AdwCleaner 8.5.0 Screenshot 1
  • AdwCleaner 8.5.0 Screenshot 2
  • AdwCleaner 8.5.0 Screenshot 3
  • AdwCleaner 8.5.0 Screenshot 4
  • AdwCleaner 8.5.0 Screenshot 5

What's new in this version:

AdwCleaner 8.5.0
- Update bundled definitions to 2024.10.23.2


AdwCleaner 8.4.2
Changed:
- Update bundled definitions to 2024.03.04.1

Fixed:
- Fix the updater process verification mechanism failure and migrate from OpenSSL to Wincrypt


AdwCleaner 8.4.1
- Change log not available for this version


AdwCleaner 8.4.0
- Change log not available for this version


AdwCleaner 8.3.2
Features and improvements
- Enhanced logging around process termination
- Improved the Web browser module
- Logfiles are sorted by ID
- Updated database definitions to 2022.03.15.1
- Updated translations

Fixed:
- Updated logfile to include Windows 11 naming
- DLL Hijacking issue


AdwCleaner 8.3.1
New Features:
- Official support for Windows 11. There is one cosmetic glitch that we are aware of and that will be fixed in an upcoming version.
- Add support for Windows Installer in basic repair actions

Changes:
- Update definitions to 2021.11.18.1
- Update translations

Bugfixes
- It is now possible to use `/path` again in parallel of other commands
- Fix startup issues on Windows 10 under specific conditions
- Fix a crash due to parsing a malformed `/etc/hosts` file
- Fix the German translation


AdwCleaner 8.3.0
New Features:
- Rewritten updater. It now keeps track of the previous channel and uses it for the updated version
- When running in non-release mode (e.g alpha or beta) the channel is displayed on the title bar
- Make the database update channel distinct from the product update channel (for instance it makes it possible to use AdwCleaner alpha with a beta database).

Changes:
- Improve handling of json operations
- Update Malwarebytes branding to "Cyberprotection for everyone"
- Consolidate most external urls to "adwcleaner.malwarebytes.com"
- Update definitions to 2021.06.29.1
- Update translations.

Fixed:
- Make the updater more robust as sometimes the updater didn't launch the new AdwCleaner version
- Make the GUI arguments parsing more robust
- Fix some cut-off buttons rendering in Brazilian Portuguese


AdwCleaner 8.2.0
New:
- Support Brazilian Portuguese translation
- It is now possible to delete logfiles directly from the UI

Changes:
- Update translations
- Update definitions to 2021.03.22.1

Fixed:
- Correctly display the number of scanned items in all places


AdwCleaner 8.1.0
New:
- Make the scan operations multi-threaded to further increase scanning speed on all types of machines


AdwCleaner 8.0.9.1
- Update the UPX build used to pack AdwCleaner in order to fix startup issues by several users


AdwCleaner 8.0.9
New Features:
- Only ask for a reboot when needed rather than everytime after cleaning. It is now only required to rebo ot when an element cannot be quarantined without rebooting

Changes:
- Remove the survey dialog to reduce the number of clicks
- Update translations
- Update definitions to 2021.11.1

Bug-fixes:
- Allow Splashtop remote control to keep running while doing the cleanup


AdwCleaner 8.0.8
New:
- Set the correct attributes to the working directory (usually C:AdwCleaner) to overcome potential malicious modifications
- Detect if AdwClean runs in a corporate environment

Changes:
- Improve Services detection
- Update translations
- Update definitions to 2020.09.29.1

Bug-fixes:
- Fix an issue preventing shortcut cleanup from working correctly
- Fix the QSharedMemory error message


AdwCleaner 8.0.7
New:
- Support `/path` command line option to customize the working directory
- Support `/noreboot` command line option to prevent closing of applications and rebooting after cleaning
- Hide the console earlier in the startup routine when launching the GUI

Changes:
- Update Russian translations
- Update definitions to 2020.07.21.1

Bug-fixes:
- Fix GUI behavior after reboot post cleaning


AdwCleaner 8.0.6
- Change log not available for this version


AdwCleaner 8.0.5
- Update Qt to 5.14.1
- Update OpenSSL to 1.1.1g
- Update UPX to 3.96
- Update definitions to 2020.05.13.1


AdwCleaner 8.0.4
Changes:
- Update definitions to 2020.04.03.1

Bugfixes:
- Fix reintroduction of DLL loading vulnerability reintroduced in 8.0.3. CVE assignation pending


AdwCleaner 8.0.3
New Features:
- The logfiles now contains webextensions ID in addition to their name

Changes:
- Improve the error handler to (hopefully) catch more isolated crashes as they occur
- Update definitions to 2020.03.02.1
- Improved unit tests


AdwCleaner 8.0.2
New Features:
- Ability to scan Host files for Malicious Entries
- Enhanced URL scanning for Chrome and Firefox extensions

Changes:
- Integrated new marketing campaign to provide new AdwCleaner users with a 3 month Premium Malwarebytes 4 key
- Update definitions to 2020.01.24.1

Bugfixes:
- Fixed issue in windows restoration point getting listed correctly
- Major translation update


AdwCleaner 8.0.1
New Features:
- Re-Implement Firefox module. It now properly support detecting and removing extensions, startpage, sear chengines, preferences

Changes:
- Hide debug output
- Update telemetry internals
- Update definitions to 2019.12.17.1

Bug fixes:
- Fix a DLL Hijacking vulnerability in AdwCleaner 7.0+, reported by Günter Born


AdwCleaner 8.0.0
- Following the release of MB4, the in-app installer now installs Malwarebytes 4.
- Always download the very latest Malwarebytes build
- Update Qt to 5.13 branch
- Upgrade the build toolchain to Visual Studio 2017
- Update OpenSSL
- No longer force the generation of the debug logfile
- Support again the very latest versions of the Chrome Browser and allow for proper remediation
- Temporarily disable Firefox scanning and remediation - will be added back in the upcoming release
- Update translations
- Update definitions to 2019.11.20.1
- Completely drop support for Windows XP and Vista
- Crash when the UI is displayed in Arabic
- Make the uninstallation process more robust and less likely to leave traces behind
- Make the quarantine process more stable and less susceptible to corruption


AdwCleaner 7.4.2
Changes:
- Update log level for certain debugging messages
- Update definitions to 2019.10.21.1

Bugfixes:
- Fix broken updater
- Fix Pokki detection
- Make the cleaning process more reliable


AdwCleaner 7.4.1
New Features:
- Display a dedicated count for Preinstalled Software and PUPs during the scan progress
- Display Preinstalled Software details in the scan results and logfile
- Add a new setting to automatically reboot the computer

Changes:
- Force enable the debug logfile generation temporarily
- Update definitions to 2019.08.27.1
- Update translations

Bugfixes:
- Improve quarantine reliability
- Freeze during cleaning no longer occurs
- Improve MB3 in-app installer


AdwCleaner 7.4
New Features:
- Scan and manage Preinstalled software
- New detection glossary available during scan results
- Create a system restore point whenever a preinstalled software is detected
- Add an informative message explaining what is a preinstalled software
- Support HTTP/2 for all HTTP requests

Changes:
- Use Windows 10 styled titlebar
- Increase the UI dimensions
- Update translations
- Update telemetry endpoint
- Update to Qt 5.9.8
- Update to libsodium 1.0.18
- Definitions 2019.07.22.1

Bugfixes:
- Fix survey not closing from the X button
- Various UI optimizations


AdwCleaner 7.3
New Features:
- Redesign Generic detections from scratch to allow more flexibility and FP-control
- Enhance Winlogon changes detection

Changes:
- Definitions 2019.03.13.1
- Update HSTS policy for network connections
- Improved debug logging

Bugfixes:
- Update generic detections
- Update OpenSSL


AdwCleaner 7.2.7.0
Changes:
- Update HSTS policy for network connections
- Improve Firefox detections
- Definitions 2018.01.25.2

Bugfixes:
- Fix French translation
- Update generic detections
- Update libsodium


AdwCleaner 7.2.6.0
Changes:
- Definitions 2018.12.18.2

Bugfixes:
- Update SQLite
- Fix updater behavior
- Fix UI typos
- Fix translations
- Update generic definitions


AdwCleaner 7.2.5.0
New Features:
- Submit False Positives directly from the result scan contextual menu

Changes:
- Update Qt to 5.9.7
- Definitions 2018.11.14.2

Bugfixes:
- Do not display the update prompt on top of the EULA
- Make quarantine more reliable
- Update generic detections


AdwCleaner 7.2.4.0
New Features:
- Automatic updater: it's no longer needed to manually download a new version of AdwCleaner

Changes:
- Logs and Quarantine tables are now sorted by date, and not by text.

Bugfixes:
- Fix a crash when the basic repairs are run without prior detections
- New generic detections
- Fix detection of vaccines
- Fix the upgrade process for build increments
- Update translations
- Definitions 2018.09.21.1

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