How to remove InstallWizz (Mac)

What is InstallWizz

InstallWizz is an adware application designed to promote various software downloads by generating intrusive advertisements. Often masquerading as a useful tool, it infiltrates systems without user consent through deceptive practices such as software bundling. Once installed, it creates a virtual layer that overlays ads on web pages, significantly disrupting the browsing experience. This adware not only bombards users with pop-ups and banners but also tracks internet activity, collecting sensitive data like IP addresses and search queries. Such behavior raises serious privacy concerns, as the collected information may be shared with third parties, potentially leading to identity theft. Users are strongly advised to remove InstallWizz immediately to safeguard their systems and personal information.

How InstallWizz infects Mac computers

InstallWizz infects Mac systems primarily through a deceptive distribution method known as “bundling.” This technique allows the adware to be packaged alongside legitimate software, often without the user’s explicit consent. During the installation process, users are typically presented with a “Custom” or “Advanced” option that reveals additional applications bundled with the main software. If these options are skipped or rushed through, users may inadvertently install InstallWizz and other potentially unwanted programs. Once inside, InstallWizz generates intrusive advertisements and tracks user browsing activity, leading to degraded performance and potential privacy concerns. Its ability to infiltrate systems stealthily underscores the importance of vigilant and cautious behavior when downloading software from the internet.

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

Remove InstallWizz manually for free

Note: InstallWizz 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 “InstallWizz” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: InstallWizz 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 InstallWizz in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

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

Remove InstallWizz from Applications

Remove InstallWizz from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall InstallWizz

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

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

Remove InstallWizz add-on from your browsers

Removing InstallWizz 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 InstallWizz 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 InstallWizz 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 InstallWizz 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 InstallWizz extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish InstallWizz 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 InstallWizz


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


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

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 InstallWizz in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like InstallWizz

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