How to remove PC Accelerator

What is PC Accelerator

PC Accelerator is promoted as an effective system optimization utility that is supposedly meant to boost up your computer activity and provide a better user experience. It provides a couple of tools like virus elimination and other junk cleaning features to prolong the life of your computer. Actually, PC Accelerator is not a virus itself. It is just another Potentially Unwanted Application (PUP), that creates and displays a fake list of issues on your computer while scanning. Of course, this is meant to fool inexperienced users into purchasing the “Pro” Version that will ostensibly be able to remove all of this malicious stuff from your device that does not even exist. Simply said, developers of PC Accelerator designed this program to simply suck money out of naive users by instilling that your PC contains myriads of viruses and they have to be rectified right now without hesitation. In fact, your computer may be perfectly optimized and virus-free except this unwanted software. Do not allow yourself to become the next victim of frauds and do not opt for the paid versions because this is a sham. Read the following guide to learn the infection ways and how to uninstall PC Accelerator from your device below.

How PC Accelerator infected your computer

There is a range of ways that Potentially Unwanted Applications like PC Accelerator can be distributed to users’ devices. The first and most popular, in my opinion, is via bundled software that can be downloaded from unreliable resources. For instance, websites and adware can foster malicious-type advertisements that can contain dangerous redirects to other unwanted file hosting pages where you could download the software. Besides that, it is not excluded that some users download cracked, in other words, pirated software from the list of sites they see in the searching results. Unfortunately, due to a lack of experience, they rush into the website without checking it on viruses or other malicious content. To do so, you can use a browser extension called Dr. Link Checker that is capable of checking a page on viruses beforehand. It can also prevent IP tracking on most of the websites you visit which is certainly a virtue. The bundling method has been very popular amidst hijackers. In fact, bundling means infecting your computer via other Unwanted Apps. When you download any type of software, be it an optimization tool or other utility it might have some other programs masked inside of it. Usually, they offer you to choose to install additional programs in “Advanced” or “Custom” sections that people tend to skip by rushing until the end of the procedure. This behavior will, therefore, cause the installation of other unwanted programs like PC Accelerator that can inflict your computer in the future. If your device is experiencing the presence of PC Accelerator then follow the uninstallation steps in the section below.

Remove PC Accelerator manually for free

Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full PC Accelerator removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of PC Accelerator installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.

Remove PC Accelerator from Control Panel

To start removing PC Accelerator you should remove it using Control Panel. It should uninstall correctly, however, we recommend you to use IObit Uninstaller to clean leftover items after uninstalling. Here are instructions for Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Remove PC Accelerator from Windows XP:

1. Click on Start button.
2. Choose Control Panel.
3. Click Add or Remove Programs.
4. Find PC Accelerator.
5. Click Uninstall.

Remove PC Accelerator from Windows 7:

1. Click Start button.
2. Then go to Control Panel.
3. Click Uninstall a Program.
4. Find PC Accelerator and click Uninstall.

Remove PC Accelerator from Windows 8:

1. Hover mouse pointer to the bottom-right corner to see Menu.
2. Click Search.
3. After that click Apps.
4. Then Control Panel.
5. Click Uninstall a Program under Programs.
6. Find PC Accelerator, click Uninstall.

Remove PC Accelerator from Windows 10:

There are 2 ways to uninstall PC Accelerator from Windows 10

Way one

1. Click on the Start button.
2. In opened menu choose Settings.
3. Click on the System tile.
4. Click Apps & features and locate PC Accelerator in the list.
5. Click on it and then click Uninstall button near it.

Way two (classic)

1. Right-click on the Start button.
2. In opened menu choose Programs and Features.
3. Locate PC Accelerator in the list.
4. Click on it and then click Uninstall button above.

Cannot uninstall PC Accelerator

In some cases PC Accelerator won’t uninstall and gives you message that “You do not have sufficient access to uninstall PC Accelerator. Please, contact your system administrator” when you try to remove it from Control Panel or “Access denied” error when removing PC Accelerator folder and files. This happens, because file wtc.exe or service does not allow you to do it. In this case I will recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 or Malwarebytes or uninstall PC Accelerator in Safe Mode. To boot in Safe Mode do the following:

1. Reboot your computer.
2. While it starts booting press F8 button.
3. This will open Advanced Boot Options menu.
4. Choose Safe Mode and wait until Windows loads.
5. Go to Control Panel > Uninstall a program and remove PC Accelerator

>> See detailed instructions and video tutorial on how to boot in Safe Mode

PC Accelerator files:

CookiesException.txt
English.ini
HomePage.url
PCAccelerator.chm
PCAccelerator.exe
PCACGuard.exe
PCACLauncher.exe
PCACReminder.exe
PCACReminderS.exe
PCACSchedule.exe
PCACSmartScan.exe
PCACStart.exe
PCACUninstaller.exe
scan.gif
sqlite3.dll
StartupList.txt
unins000.dat
unins000.exe

PC Accelerator folders:

C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC Accelerator\
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC Accelerator

PC Accelerator registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\PC Accelerator_is1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PC Accelerator
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SoftwareMarketing\PC Accelerator
Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] Data: "PC Accelerator"
Value: "C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCACLauncher.exe"
Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers] Data: "C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCAccelerator.exe"
Value: "RUNASADMIN ELEVATECREATEPROCESS"


How to block ads and pop-ups offering to download PC Accelerator

AdGuard main window

AdGuard general settings

AdGuard browser assistant

As PC Accelerator is mostly distributed via special ads and pop-ups promising to fix windows errors or remove viruses, a good way to avoid installation of PC Accelerator is to block such ads in browsers. There are a couple of programs that have such functions. We recommend you to use AdGuard to remove ads by PC Accelerator from browsers. Download free trial here:

Get best internet security to protect from threats, like PC Accelerator, in the future

One of the most famous and reputable security programs for Windows, Mac and mobile devices is Norton Security. Advanced algorithms and large database helps Norton detect and remove various types of threats. Get complete protection from ransomware, adware, spyware, trojans, viruses and potentially unwanted program (PUPs), like PC Accelerator with Norton Security. Download it here: