PCActivator PUP - How to remove

PCActivator is a fake system optimization program. It does not have a fully functional engine to increase the speed of your PC. Instead, it uses intentional false positives to make people think their computers have severe issues. When they try to fix these reported troubles, PCActivator mentions that its full version needs to be purchased in order to get these issues resolved.

PCActivator is additionally spread through many deceptive channels, primarily through bundling. It may be integrated into installers of other free applications. However, the installer usually fails to clearly mention that there are many additional programs in it. People sometimes skip reading important details mentioned during the setup process, or the information may be presented in a small print. Clicking on the “Install” button automatically injects PCActivator. Based on this reason and considering the failure of PCActivator to fix real computer problems, it is correctly identified as a PUP (potentially unwanted program).

Can PCActivator be useful

PCActivator claims to speed up Internet browser ActiveX/COM plugins, boost startup and program loading times, improve overall performance and optimization, prevent malware and hackers from stealing your information and free up valuable wasted disk space. However, to use most of these features PCActivator requires that you first register to obtain its full version (licensed copy). The problem is not in the fact that the registration is required. PCActivator users misleading and absolutely unfair infiltration methods. What is even worse is that instead of identifying essential errors or bugs within the system, PCActivator presents invented problems that are not real. There are various false positive detections that the program reports on many computers simultaneously.

While PCActivator is running in your PC, these are some other negative consequences you may expect to happen:

• slowing down the system performance instead of improving it;
• causing high CPU usage due to several associated processes consuming a lot of system memory;
• distracting your attention by many repeated pop-ups containing scary information to force you into purchasing the so-called full version of PCActivator.

PCActivator distribution channels

PCActivator uses the methods applied by other PUPs for its unauthorized installation into the system. We already mentioned that it is integrated with freeware installers. So, you may find some good application through some online download resource, furthermore, the program will be absolutely free. Unfortunately, it is a common practice with many freeware programs to be additionally interconnected with other third-party utilities that absolutely do not represent any value. PCActivator is one of them, whereas there could be a lot of other potentially unwanted or even dangerous applications that could be installed by means of bundling.

It is quite unlikely that computer owners will make their personal decision to install PCActivator through its official website. It is not difficult to find the information about this software on Google Search and come to the right conclusion that installing it is not a good idea. For this reason, the distributors of this PUP refer to many tricky methods, without clearly mentioning that PCActivator will be additionally integrated into a certain free application.

How to avoid PCActivator intrusion

Even though the information about PCActivator contained in the bundle might be hardly mentioned by the installer, there is still a way for you to prevent its infiltration. Make sure to carefully read all the details during the setup process. Switch to the “Advanced” or “Custom” installation where you may find out what other extra utilities will be contained in the bundle. Uncheck the appropriate boxes responsible for PCActivator and other third-party software you do not want. If there is no “Advanced” installation option provided, cancel the installation of free software completely.

If you have installed PCActivator by mistake, there is still a way to get rid of it, including the manual removal solution. Simply access the Control Panel, find the list of available programs and uninstall PCActivator immediately. Even though this should fix the problem, we recommend that you perform an additional checkup of your computer with Spyhunter to identify leaks in the security of your computer, remove other malicious components and protect your PC in the future from similar problems.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to remove PCActivator PUP using Windows Control Panel

Many hijackers and adware like PCActivator PUP install some of their components as regular Windows programs as well as additional software. This part of malware can be uninstalled from the Control Panel. To access it, do the following.

• Start→Control Panel (older Windows) or press Windows Key→Search and enter Control Panel and then press Enter (Windows 8, Windows 10).
• Choose Uninstall Program (if you don't see it, click in the upper right next to "View by" and select Category).
• Go through the list of programs and select entries related to PCActivator PUP . You can click on "Name" or "Installed On" to reorder your programs and make PCActivator PUP easier to find.
• Click the Uninstall button. If you're asked if you really want to remove the program, click Yes.
• In many cases anti-malware programs are better at detecting related parasites, thus I recommend installing Spyhunter to identify other programs that might be a part of this infection.