How to remove EssentialTask (Mac)

What is EssentialTask

EssentialTask is classified as adware designed for macOS, known for generating intrusive advertisements that disrupt users’ browsing experiences. This software often employs deceptive tactics for distribution, leading users to install it unknowingly alongside free software or through misleading pop-ups. Once installed, EssentialTask can clutter the web with pop-up ads, banners, and coupons, which may redirect users to potentially harmful websites. Additionally, it poses privacy risks by tracking browsing habits and collecting sensitive information without user consent. The presence of EssentialTask can significantly degrade system performance, causing slowdowns as it consumes valuable resources. To protect against such threats, it is crucial for users to remain vigilant during software installations and to utilize reliable antivirus solutions to detect and remove unwanted applications.

How EssentialTask infects Mac computers

EssentialTask typically infects Macs through deceptive distribution methods, often bundled with free software or accessed via questionable download sources. Users may inadvertently install this adware by overlooking optional offers during the installation process of seemingly legitimate applications. Additionally, it can be disseminated through malicious pop-up ads and misleading advertisements on dubious websites, where users are tricked into clicking links that lead to downloads. Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and unofficial app stores also play a significant role in the spread of EssentialTask, as users seeking free content may download infected files unknowingly. Once installed, EssentialTask begins to display intrusive advertisements and can compromise user privacy by tracking browsing habits and collecting sensitive information. Therefore, vigilance during software installations and skepticism towards pop-up prompts are crucial in preventing such infections.

1. Download EssentialTask Removal Tool
2. Remove EssentialTask from Login Items
3. Remove/Uninstall EssentialTask from Applications
4. Remove EssentialTask from browsers
5. Reset browser settings
6. Remove EssentialTask files and folders
7. Block EssentialTask ads and pop-ups
8. How to protect from threats, like EssentialTask

Remove EssentialTask manually for free

Note: EssentialTask sets up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:

1. Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
2. Choose your account (set up as Current User).
3. Click Login Items tab.
4. Find “EssentialTask” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: EssentialTask won’t quit just by closing it, therefor use Force Quit to end the process.

1. Press 3 buttons at the same time: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). This is similar to Control-Alt-Delete on a Windows PC.
2. Choose EssentialTask in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

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

Remove EssentialTask from Applications

Remove EssentialTask from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. EssentialTask might have an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall EssentialTask or EssentialTask Uninstaller, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
3. Otherwise, drag EssentialTask from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall EssentialTask

If you can’t uninstall EssentialTask using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of EssentialTask. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag EssentialTask from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with EssentialTask.
4. Click Delete button.

Remove EssentialTask add-on from your browsers

Removing EssentialTask from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It is a browser extension, and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove the EssentialTask extension from your browsers manually.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find EssentialTask extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find EssentialTask extension.
4. Click the trash can icon to remove it.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Choose EssentialTask extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish EssentialTask removal, reset your browser settings to make sure, there are no leftover items in browser folders.

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In the opened window, click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu, click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Remove following files and folders of EssentialTask


~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.EssentialTask.service.app
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.EssentialTask.service.plist
/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.EssentialTask.system
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.EssentialTask.system.plist


Download AdGuard for Mac to block malicious pop-ups, that promote EssentialTask

AdGuard is the best ad-blocker, internet filtering, and internet security application for macOS. It can cut out unwanted banners from site pages, block pop-ups, stop redirects, and prevent users from visiting potentially dangerous resources. Use it to stop ads promoting EssentialTask in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like EssentialTask

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time, there was no need for antivirus products for Mac. But with the growing popularity of Mac computers and notebooks and evolving technology, viruses, trojans, adware, toolbars, hijackers, and other malware paved the way for Mac users. We recommend you to use one of the best anti-malware for Mac available — Malwarebytes for Mac.

Download Malwarebytes for Mac