5+ best Potentially Unwanted Program removal tools

ESET Internet Security

ESET Internet Security can detect potentially unwanted, unsafe, and suspicious applications before they are installed on your computer. 

Right upon installing ESET, you are prompted to enable or disable detection of Potentially Unwanted Applications.

Whereas the detection of PUP is configured during installation, the detection of potentially unsafe apps is disabled by default, and the detection of suspicious apps is enabled by default.

However, you can simply change these settings from the ESET console. Just head to Advanced Setup > Detection Engine > Real-Time & Machine Learning and Protection.

From that menu, you can modify the settings for Potentially Unwanted Programs according to your own preferences.

ESET Internet Security

Keep your personal computer safe from PUP with one of the best antiviruses available.

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Avast Free Antivirus

Avast Free Antivirus is another great solution that can detect any Potentially Unwanted Programs that wants to install into your system.

From the Protection category, you can modify the settings for the Core Shields. You can find there a Potentially Unwanted Programs tab.

You will see there three options and you can choose exactly how the antivirus will treat PUP. You can choose to be fixed, asked or to ignore them.

Avast Free Antivirus

Protect your computer from malware, spyware, and PUP with one great free antivirus software.

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Avira

Avira is another freeware antivirus that can protect your computer from multiple cyberthreats, including these annoying PUPs.

Avira detects as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications) all those which attempt to inject malicious content, or those which request an unjustified amount of personal data.

Run a System Scan to discover potential errors

Download Restoro
PC Repair Tool

Click Start Scan to find Windows issues.

Click Repair All to fix issues with Patented Technologies.

Run a PC Scan with Restoro Repair Tool to find errors causing security problems and slowdowns. After the scan is complete, the repair process will replace damaged files with fresh Windows files and components.

Additionally, Avira considers being PUP any payment processing apps that may overcharge the user without explicit consent.

Products that require unnecessary access rights or inject unwanted advertising on the device, not to mention spy or remotely controlled software, all get detected by the Avira radar.

Avira

Use a great free security protection tool with radar for any Potentially Unwanted Programs.

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Bitdefender

Bitdefender is the no.1 antivirus solution on the market so it’s undoubtedly the best solution that can protect you from Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP).

You won’t need to worry about their removal as Bitdefender will block them even before they reach your PC. However, you could have a PUP already installed on your PC without knowing.

The first scan with Bitdefencer will reveal the culprits in an event and you will be able to get rid of it with a single click.

Of course, Bitdefender, as a top security solution will protect you from every single possible threat, not only PUPs but also malware, ransomware, phishing and all other modern scamming techniques.

Bitdefender

As a top security solution, Bitdefender will remove any PUPs and protect your PC from them.

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Malwarebytes

Another Potentially Unwanted Program removal tool you can use is Malwarebytes. Unlike HitmanPro, Malwarebytes is a free utility that will scan your computer for Potentially Unwanted Programs.

Some types of malware can be difficult to identify and remove. That’s not something to worry about when using Malwarebytes. Its efficiency is proven against viruses, spyware, ransomware, and not only.

Here’s how to download, install, and use Malwarebytes on your Windows PC:

1. Download Malwarebytes.
2. Install the program.
3. Right-click on the Malwarebytes.
4. Select Run as administrator.
5. Click the Scan button.
6. Once finished click on the Clean button.
7. Next click OK to reboot your PC and complete cleaning.

Malwarebytes

Get Malwarebytes for advanced malware protection and easily remove all PUPs from your device.

Free trialVisit website

Zemana AntiMalware Portable

You can also use Zemana AntiMalware Portable to scan your PC for installed PUPs. ZemanaAntiMalware is a free utility program that scans and removes malicious programs from your PC.

Follow these steps to download and install Zemana AntiMalware on your Windows PC:

1. Download ZemanaAntiMalware.
2. Double-click on the executable file AntiMalware.Portable.
3. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
4. Launch the ZemanaAntiMalware afterward, click on the Scan option to run a system scan.
5. After scanning, from the list of PUPs detected, click on the Next button to remove all the PUPs.
6. Follow the next prompts to completely remove the Potentially Unwanted Programs on your PC.

⇒ Get ZemanaAntiMalware Portable

IObit Uninstaller

IObit Uninstaller is a Windows PUP removal tool. This utility program is ideal for removing stubborn software applications such as bundled applications and cleans up all its traces afterward.

In addition, you consider using any of our ten best alternative uninstaller programs to completely uninstall the PUPs.

To remove PUP with IObit Uninstaller, you can follow the steps below:

1. Download IObit Uninstaller program, and install it afterward.
2. Launch the IObit Uninstaller application.
3. Select the unwanted programs, and choose – automatically remove residual files.
4. Click on the Uninstall option to proceed with the uninstall process.

⇒ Get IObit Uninstaller

Hitman Pro

HitmanPro is a security tool that scans your Windows PC and removes PUPs from your system. HitmanPro is not a standalone antivirus program itself, but you can use it alongside your antivirus program.

You can find bellow the necessary steps to perform in order to remove PUP with HitmanPro:

1. Download HitmanPro by clicking on the link below.
2. After downloading HitmanPro, double-click on the hitmanpro executable file to install the program.
3. Follow the installation prompts to complete the install.
4. After installation, launch the program and click on the Next button to commence the scan process.
5. Now, after scanning, from the list of PUPs detected, click on the Next button to remove all the PUPs.
6. Click on the Activate free license button for free 30 days trial.

⇒ Get Hitman Pro

After using any of the tools we mentioned above, your PC should now be free of all PUPs. However, we do recommend that you reset your web browser to its default settings.

This will completely remove all the PUPs leftovers on your web browser. In addition, we recommend that you run a full system scan on your Windows PC.

If you are still facing the PUP issues afterward (which is most unlikely), let us know by commenting below.