How to remove Protectio7

What is Protectio7

Protectio7 is a malicious browser extension that poses as a potentially unwanted program (PUP), primarily targeting popular web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. Once installed, it hijacks the browser’s settings, altering the homepage and default search engine to redirect users to unwanted search results, often promoting dubious websites. This extension also generates an array of intrusive advertisements, including pop-ups, banners, and in-text ads, which can significantly disrupt the browsing experience. Additionally, it has the capability to track users’ online activities, collecting sensitive information such as browsing habits, search queries, and even login credentials, putting users’ privacy at risk. Typically, users unknowingly install Protectio7 through bundled downloads or from untrustworthy sources, making it essential to be vigilant during software installations. Immediate removal of this extension is crucial to restore normal browser functionality and protect personal data from potential exploitation.

How Protectio7 infects computers

Protectio7 typically infects computers through a method known as “bundling,” where it is packaged alongside legitimate software during installation. Users may unknowingly install this potentially unwanted program (PUP) by opting for default installation settings, which often conceal additional applications. Once installed, Protectio7 modifies browser settings without consent, setting unwanted search engines and homepages. This browser hijacker not only disrupts normal browsing activities but also engages in data collection, tracking user behavior and preferences for advertising purposes. Its presence can lead to further adware infections, as it generates income through intrusive advertisements and redirects. The stealthy nature of Protectio7 makes it crucial for users to be vigilant during software installations and to regularly check for unwanted applications.

1. Download Protectio7 Removal Tool
2. Remove Protectio7 from Control Panel and Applications
3. Remove Protectio7 extensions from browsers
4. Reset browser search and homepage settings
5. Alternative way to remove Protectio7 search redirects
6. Clean browser shortcuts from Protectio7
7. How to protect from threats like Protectio7

Remove Protectio7 manually for free

Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full Protectio7 removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of the Protectio7 an installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.

Note: Protectio7 can be installed as Google Chrome extension as Administrator (you may see Installed by enterprise policy or Your browser is managed by your organization inscription near it), and this will not allow removal. Therefore, before starting removal process, perform these actions:

1. Start the Command Prompt by clicking the Start menu button and typing command prompt (or just searching for “command prompt” in Windows 10 search field). Right click on the Command Prompt result and choose Run as Administrator.



2. Type in and execute the following commands:

   
rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers"
rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy"
gpupdate /force

Remove Protectio7 from Control Panel or Applications

To start removing Protectio7 you should uninstall it using Control Panel. It can be present by different names – “Protectio7”. 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, Windows 11, or Mac.

Remove Protectio7 from Windows XP:

1. Click on Start button.
2. Choose Control Panel.
3. Click Add or Remove Programs.
4. Find Protectio7-related or other suspicious program.
5. Click Uninstall.

Remove Protectio7 from Windows 7:

1. Click Start button.
2. Then go to Control Panel.
3. Click Uninstall a Program.
4. Find Protectio7-related or other suspicious program and click Uninstall.

Remove Protectio7 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 Protectio7-related or other suspicious program, click Uninstall.

Remove Protectio7 from Windows 10:

There are 2 ways to uninstall Protectio7 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 Protectio7-related or other suspicious program 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 Protectio7-related or other suspicious program in the list.
4. Click on it and then click Uninstall button above.

Remove Protectio7 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 Protectio7-related or other recently installed suspicious program 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 standard uninstall procedure.

Remove Protectio7 from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. Protectio7 might have an Uninstaller.
3. Otherwise, drag Protectio7 from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall Protectio7 in Windows

In some cases, Protectio7 won’t uninstall and gives you the message, that “You do not have sufficient access to uninstall Protectio7. Please, contact your system administrator” when you try to remove it from Control Panel or “Access denied” error when removing the Protectio7 folder and files. This happens because the process or service does not allow you to do it. In this case, I will recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 or Malwarebytes or uninstall Protectio7 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 Protectio7 or other suspicious program

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

Cannot uninstall Protectio7 in MacOS

If you can’t uninstall Protectio7 using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of Protectio7. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag Protectio7 from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with Protectio7.
4. Click Delete button.

Remove malicious add-ons from your browsers

Uninstalling Protectio7 from Control Panel or Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It sometimes has a browser extension and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove Protectio7 extension from your browsers manually.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find Protectio7 extension.
4. Click the Remove button to remove them.
5. Also remove other suspicious extensions from the list.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Find Protectio7 extension.
4. Click three-dots icon near it and choose Remove in the menu.
5. In opened dialog window click Remove button to confirm the action.
6. Remove all suspicious extensions from the list.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find Protectio7 extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Microsoft Edge:

1. Start Microsoft Edge browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) edge://extensions.
3. Find Protectio7 extension.
4. Click Remove link under the name of extension.
5. In opened dialog window click Remove button to confirm the action.
6. Remove all suspicious extensions from the list.

Internet Explorer (9, 10, 11):

Note: There is no feature to remove browser extensions from browser in latest version of Internet Explorer. To remove Protectio7 from Internet Explorer, please, perform instructions for uninstalling program from Control Panel. To disable Protectio7, please, do the following:

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click on gear/asterisk icon in the top-right corner.
3. In opened menu Manage Add-ons.
4. Select Toolbars and Extensions.
5. Click Disable Protectio7 or other suspicious extensions.
6. Also disable other suspicious extensions from the list.

Opera Browser:

Generally, Protectio7 does not install in Opera browser however you can always double check. Do the following:

1. Start Opera browser.
2. Go to Tools > Extensions > Manage Extensions.
3. Find Protectio7 or other suspicious extensions.
4. Click Uninstall button.
5. Also remove other suspicious extensions from the list.

Reset browsers settings (homepage, default search)

Protectio7 installs a search engine, that hijacks your browsers. Here is the instruction to reset your browser’s homepage, new tab, and search engine to default values.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. On the left panel expand Advanced options.
4. Choose Reset and clean up.
5. Click on Restore settings to their original defaults link and confirm by clicking Reset button.

Google Chrome > Settings > Advanced

Reset and clean up

Reset Google Chrome

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 button in opened dialog window to confirm.

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 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.

Microsoft Edge:

1. Start Microsoft Edge browser
2. Click on 3-dots icon in the top-right corner and choose Settings.
3. On the left panel find and click Reset settings option.
4. Click on Restore settings to their default values link and confirm by clicking Reset button.

Internet Explorer (9, 10, 11):

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. Click on gear/asterisk icon in the top-right corner.
3. In opened menu choose Internet options.
4. Click Advanced tab.
5. Click Reset button.
6. Choose Delete personal settings and click Reset.

Opera Browser:

1. Start Opera browser and click on Opera icon in the top-left corner.
2. Choose Settings and click Advanced on the left side and choose Browser.
3. Scroll down to the very bottom and click on Restore settings to their original defaults link.
4. Confirm by clicking Reset button.

How to block ads and pop-ups, promoting Protectio7


AdGuard main window

AdGuard general settings

AdGuard browser assistant

Protectio7, in most cases, is promoted by ads and pop-ups on doubtful websites. These sites can redirect users’ browsers to Protectio7 ads, generating advertising revenue for the attackers. The malware is often offered through these ads, leaving users puzzled about the origin of the software. In some cases, users may unknowingly install the Protectio7 extension, which then injects advertisements into the websites they visit and redirects their search queries. Additionally, the malware can be distributed through other channels such as peer-to-peer file-sharing networks, misleading ads, and compromised or shady websites that trigger automatic downloads To protect your PC and browsers from phishing websites, pop-up ads, banners, malicious scripts it is recommended to use AdGuard. Download free trial here:

Download AdGuard for Windows

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect from threats, like Protectio7, in future


SpyHunter 5 Dashboard

SpyHunter 5 Results

SpyHunter 5 System Guard

Be careful surfing the internet and downloading software, as programs like Protectio7 may become a real headache as they are hard to remove and break your privacy. To keep safe from such threats we recommend you always use antivirus and one of the anti-malware programs available on the market. One of the best anti-virus programs is SpyHunter 5. It can protect your PC from threats like Protectio7.

Download SpyHunter for Windows

Download SpyHunter for Mac