How to remove PartitionControl (Mac)

What is PartitionControl

PartitionControl is a rogue application identified as adware, specifically part of the AdLoad malware family. This type of software primarily aims to generate revenue for its developers by displaying intrusive advertisements on users’ devices. Once installed, PartitionControl enables the placement of various ads, including pop-ups, banners, and overlays, which can significantly disrupt the user experience. Additionally, this adware may have data-tracking functionalities, collecting browsing histories, search engine queries, and even sensitive personal information. The presence of PartitionControl on a device poses a threat to system security and user privacy, as the ads it delivers can lead to online scams and malware. To avoid such infections, it is crucial to exercise caution when downloading software and always opt for custom installation settings. Removing PartitionControl typically requires specialized antivirus tools, like Combo Cleaner, to ensure all components of the adware are thoroughly eliminated.

How PartitionControl infects Mac computers

PartitionControl, a form of adware associated with the AdLoad malware family, typically infiltrates macOS systems through deceptive distribution methods like software bundling and malicious advertisements. Users often unknowingly install this adware when they download and install free software from unreliable sources, such as unverified freeware websites, P2P networks, or torrent files. During the installation process, the adware is bundled with legitimate applications, and users may inadvertently approve its installation by rushing through setup steps and opting for “Easy” or “Express” settings. Additionally, PartitionControl can be propagated through intrusive ads and redirects generated by already existing adware infections or rogue websites. Once installed, it embeds itself within the system, creating persistent files and folders in various directories, thereby enabling its ad-delivery and data-tracking functionalities.

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

Remove PartitionControl manually for free

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

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

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

Remove PartitionControl from Applications

Remove PartitionControl from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall PartitionControl

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

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

Remove PartitionControl add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish PartitionControl 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 PartitionControl


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


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

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 PartitionControl in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like PartitionControl

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