How to remove PdfKnight

What is PdfKnight

PdfKnight is classified as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that users may inadvertently install on their systems. This type of software often finds its way onto computers bundled with other free programs, where it can be concealed within the custom or advanced installation options. Once installed, it can lead to a variety of issues, including the display of intrusive advertisements and redirects to dubious websites. The primary purpose of unwanted applications like PdfKnight is to generate revenue for their developers. This can be achieved through various means, such as promoting content via ads and redirects, selling fake activation keys, or collecting and selling sensitive user information. While unwanted applications are often considered legal due to their End User License Agreements (EULA) disclosing their potential behavior, they can still pose risks to users. The legality does not necessarily equate to safety or desirability. Having PdfKnight installed on a computer can be dangerous due to its potentially harmful abilities. The application may engage in behaviors that compromise user privacy or system integrity. For example, it could collect sensitive information or redirect users to malicious websites where further malware infections could occur.

How PdfKnight infected your computer

The infection process for PdfKnight typically involves the following steps:

Bundling with Free Software: PdfKnight often comes bundled with other free software that users download from the internet. During the installation process, the PUA may be hidden within the custom or advanced installation settings, which users frequently overlook.
Creating Desktop Shortcuts: Upon installation, PdfKnight creates a shortcut on the desktop. When this shortcut is accessed, it launches the default web browser and opens the portal.pdfknight.com website.
Promotion of Portal: The portal.pdfknight.com website is promoted through the application, which may lead to further unwanted behavior or content

1. Download PdfKnight Removal Tool
2. Remove/Uninstall PdfKnight from Control Panel
3. Cannot remove/uninstall PdfKnight using standard methods
4. Remove PdfKnight files, folders, and registry keys
5. Block pop-ups promoting PdfKnight
6. How to protect from threats, like PdfKnight

Remove PdfKnight manually for free

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

Remove PdfKnight from Control Panel

To start removing PdfKnight, 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, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11.

Remove PdfKnight from Windows XP:

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

Remove PdfKnight from Windows 7:

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

Remove PdfKnight 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 PdfKnight, click Uninstall.

Remove PdfKnight from Windows 10:

There are 2 ways to uninstall PdfKnight 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 PdfKnight 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 PdfKnight in the list.
4. Click on it and then click Uninstall button above.

Remove PdfKnight from Windows 11:

1. Right-click on the Start button.
2. In opened menu, choose Settings.
3. Click on the Apps tab on the left side.
4. Click Apps & features and locate PdfKnight in the list.
5. Click on 3-dots icon near it and then click Uninstall button near it.
6. Depending on the type of application (Windows Store app or classic Win32 app) it will be removed immediately, or you will need to confirm the action and go through the standard uninstall procedure.

Cannot uninstall PdfKnight

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

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

Remove files, folders, and registry keys of PdfKnight

PdfKnight files:

PDFKnight.exe
wmpnscfg.exe

PdfKnight folders:

%localappdata%/PDFKnight.exe

PdfKnight registry keys:

no information

How to block ads and pop-ups, offering to download PdfKnight

AdGuard main window

AdGuard general settings

AdGuard browser assistant

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

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

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One of the most famous and reputable security programs for Windows is SpyHunter 5. Advanced algorithms and large databases help SpyHunter detect and remove various types of threats. Get complete protection from ransomware, adware, spyware, trojans, viruses, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), like PdfKnight, with SpyHunter 5. Download it here: