What is WinOptimizer
WinOptimizer is a dubious utility that carries out performance optimizations. It has a user-friendly interface accompanied by a set of effective tools to clean up your system. WinOptimizer claims that it can empty your system from irrelevant rubbish and other entries that overload your PC. Unfortunately, as Malwarebytes researchers determined, WinOptimizer creates a fake list of positives to allure users into buying extended versions of their software. By doing so, you will maintain your PC clean and stable. Note that WinOptimizer is not a virus, it is just one of the potentially unwanted programs that earn money on gullible people. Besides that, WinOptimizer supports web push notifications so that you could be informed about the latest news and products. Overall, WinOptimizer is a well-engineered program that catches the glimpse of any person, however, there are strong reasons to doubt its behavior. In this guide, we will help you delete WinOptimizer without traces.
How WinOptimizer infected your computer
As mentioned above, WinOptimizer does not hide its activity and acts according to all legitimate standards. It is available on the official website with clear policies and terms of use. However, if you received WinOptimizer unwillingly, more likely you installed it alongside other software through repacks. You should be careful when downloading third-parties software because there might be sponsored offers inside of them. Make sure you uncheck them before finishing the prime set-up. If you want to learn more about effective safety measures, keep on reading our guide presented below.
Download WinOptimizer Removal Tool
To remove WinOptimizer from Windows completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders and registry keys of WinOptimizer and several millions of other adware, hijackers, toolbars.
Alternative Removal Tool
To remove WinOptimizer from Windows completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 from EnigmaSoft Limited. It detects and removes all files, folders and registry keys of WinOptimizer and several millions of other adware, hijackers, toolbars. The trial version of SpyHunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.
Remove WinOptimizer manually for free
Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full WinOptimizer removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of WinOptimizer installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.
Remove WinOptimizer from Control Panel
To start removing WinOptimizer 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 and Windows 10.
Remove WinOptimizer from Windows XP:
- Click on Start button.
- Choose Control Panel.
- Click Add or Remove Programs.
- Find WinOptimizer.
- Click Uninstall.
Remove WinOptimizer from Windows 7:
- Click Start button.
- Then go to Control Panel.
- Click Uninstall a Program.
- Find WinOptimizer and click Uninstall.
Remove WinOptimizer from Windows 8:
- Hover mouse pointer to the bottom-right corner to see Menu.
- Click Search.
- After that click Apps.
- Then Control Panel.
- Click Uninstall a Program under Programs.
- Find WinOptimizer, click Uninstall.
Remove WinOptimizer from Windows 10:
There are 2 ways to uninstall WinOptimizer from Windows 10
Way one
- Click on the Start button.
- In opened menu choose Settings.
- Click on the System tile.
- Click Apps & features and locate WinOptimizer in the list.
- Click on it and then click Uninstall button near it.
Way two (classic)
- Right-click on the Start button.
- In opened menu choose Programs and Features.
- Locate WinOptimizer in the list.
- Click on it and then click Uninstall button above.
Cannot uninstall WinOptimizer
In some cases, WinOptimizer won’t uninstall and gives you message, that “You do not have sufficient access to uninstall WinOptimizer. Please, contact your system administrator” when you try to remove it from Control Panel or “Access denied” error when removing WinOptimizer 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 WinOptimizer in Safe Mode. To boot in Safe Mode do the following:
- Reboot your computer.
- While it starts booting press F8 button.
- This will open Advanced Boot Options menu.
- Choose Safe Mode and wait until Windows loads.
- Go to Control Panel > Uninstall a program and remove WinOptimizer
>> See detailed instructions and video tutorial on how to boot in Safe Mode
WinOptimizer files:
ash_inet2.dll
ash_libcurl.dll
defragwrapper.dll
EXEDecrypt.exe
exit.exe
gdiplus.dll
license-curl.txt
license-DE.txt
license-EN.txt
product.xml
readme_da_dk.htm
SetupDownloader.exe
sqlite3.dll
undelete.dll
unins000.dat
unins000.exe
unins000.msg
WinOptimizerContextHandler64.dll
WinOptimizerFW.exe
WO17.exe
WinOptimizer folders:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Ashampoo\Ashampoo WinOptimizer FREE
C:\ProgramData\Ashampoo
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Ashampoo\Ashampoo WinOptimizer FREE
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Ashampoo\
WinOptimizer registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Ashampoo\Ashampoo WinOptimizer 17\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Ashampoo\Ashampoo WinOptimizer FREE
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\WinOptimizerContextHandler.DLL
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{45495078-B36D-4865-A67B-45CD8742AA1B}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{4C2351D7-7CAF-4D5D-9CB8-815019A5ADB3}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Ashampoo\Ashampoo WinOptimizer FREE
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{4209F371-8668-980C-19C9-F8698AB75135}_is1
How to block ads and pop-ups, offering to download WinOptimizer
As WinOptimizer is mostly distributed via special ads and pop-ups promising to fix windows errors or remove viruses, a good way to avoid installation of WinOptimizer 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 WinOptimizer from browsers. Download free trial here:
Get best internet security to protect from threats, like WinOptimizer, in the future
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 program (PUPs), like WinOptimizer, with SpyHunter 5. Download it here:
