There are many types of malware and one of them is ad supported software. The ad supported software, which causes the appearance of software-dl.xyz advertising or the redirect to this unwanted web page, have a negative impact on the functioning of your system. It changes system settings, generates a tons of various advertisements, slows down the Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge and the speed of your internet connection. Moreover, it may lead to the fact that web pages are slow to load and the browser interface can even freeze. The main function of the ad supported software is showing advertisements, so it may reroute your internet browser to an unwanted web-site like software-dl.xyz, instead of the one that you want to visit. Even if you try to type an address into the internet browser’s address bar, then the web-browser is anyway will show an unwanted ad web-page.
software-dl.xyz offers to download and install an install manager
The malicious software from the adware family that alters the settings of web-browsers usually affects only the Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge. However, possible situations, when any other web-browsers will be affected too. The ad supported software may change the Target property of a web-browser’s shortcut, so every time you launch the internet browser, instead of your home page, you will see the unwanted software-dl.xyz advertisements.
The ad supported software is the part of the software that is used as an online promotional tool. It is created with the sole purpose to show dozens of ads, banners and pop-ups, and thus to promote the goods and services in an open browser window. So, the software-dl.xyz is just one of the many web-sites of the so-called ‘ad-support’ type. It is designed to fill the browser’s constant stream of advertisements, or redirect the internet browser to not expected and intrusive advertising web-sites. Moreover, the ad supported software can substitute the legitimate advertising on misleading or even banners that can offer to visit malicious web pages. The reason is simple, many advertisers agree on any ways to attract users to their pages, so the creators of adware, often forcing users to click on an advertising link. For each click on a link, the authors of the adware receive income. It is the so-called ‘Pay-Per-Click’ method.
We recommend to remove the adware, which redirects your browser on the software-dl.xyz annoying site, as soon as you found this problem, as it can direct you to web-resources which may load other dangerous software on your personal computer.
How does software-dl.xyz ads get installed onto PC
The ad supported software usually come bundled with other free applications that you download off of the Web. Once started, it will infect your personal computer and configure your browser’s to display a tons of the software-dl.xyz unwanted ads without your permission. To avoid infection, in the Setup wizard, you should be be proactive and carefully read the ‘Terms of use’, the ‘license agreement’ and other installation screens, as well as to always choose the ‘Manual’ or ‘Advanced’ installation mode, when installing anything downloaded from the Web.
How to manually remove software-dl.xyz
This useful removal guide for the software-dl.xyz popup ads. The detailed procedure can be followed by anyone as it really does take you step-by-step. If you follow this process to remove software-dl.xyz popup ads let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.
- Remove suspicious and unknown software by using Windows Control Panel
- Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts to get rid of software-dl.xyz redirect
- Get rid of software-dl.xyz from Chrome
- Get rid of software-dl.xyz advertisements from Firefox
- Get rid of software-dl.xyz ads from Internet Explorer
Remove suspicious and unknown software by using Windows Control Panel
Press Windows key 
, then click Search 
. Type “Control panel”and press Enter. If you using Windows XP or Windows 7, then click “Start” and select “Control Panel”. It will open the Windows Control Panel as shown below. 
Click “Uninstall a program” 
It will open a list of all programs. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall any suspicious and unknown programs.
Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts to get rid of software-dl.xyz redirect
Click the right mouse button to a desktop shortcut which you use to launch your web-browser. Next, select the “Properties” option. Important: necessary to click on the desktop shortcut for the web-browser which is redirected to the software-dl.xyz or other unwanted web page.
Further, necessary to look at the text which is written in the “Target” field. The adware can replace the contents of this field, which describes the file to be run when you launch your web-browser. Depending on the internet browser you are using, there should be: Google Chrome: chrome.exe Opera: opera.exe Firefox: firefox.exe If you are seeing an unknown text like “http://software-dl.xyz” that has been added here, then you should remove it, as shown on the screen below. 
Click the “OK” button to save the changes. Now, when you open the browser from this desktop shortcut, it does not occur automatically redirect on the software-dl.xyz page or any other unwanted pages that is advertised by the adware. Once the step is finished, we recommend to go to the next step.
Get rid of software-dl.xyz from Chrome
Like other modern browsers, the Chrome has the ability to reset the settings to their default values and thus remove the redirect to software-dl.xyz annoying ads which is caused by the ad supported software.
Start the Chrome. Click on the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (
). It will appear the main menu. Click on the option named “Settings”. Another way to open the Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter. 
The internet browser will display the settings screen. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Show advanced settings” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset settings” section is visible, as shown below and click on the “Reset settings” button. 
The Google Chrome will display the confirmation dialog box. You need to confirm your action. Press on the “Reset” button. The program will start the process of cleaning and when it is finished, the internet browser settings including the ‘block pop-ups’ option back to the values that have been when the Chrome was first installed on your system.
Get rid of software-dl.xyz advertisements from Firefox
If the FF settings have been changed by the adware, then resetting it to the default state can help you to remove the redirect onto software-dl.xyz ads.
Run the Firefox and press button to display the Tools menu. It shows the drop-down menu on the right-part of the browser. Click on the Help button (
). 
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting
Information” screen – type about:support in the web-browser adress bar and press Enter. It will open the “Troubleshooting Information” page. In the upper-right corner of this screen, press the “Refresh Firefox” button. 
It will open the confirmation dialog box. Click on the “Refresh Firefox” button. The FF will start a task to fix your problems that caused by the adware. Once, it’s done, press the “Finish” button
Get rid of software-dl.xyz ads from Internet Explorer
To remove the software-dl.xyz advertisements you need to reset the IE’s settings to the state, they were when the Windows OS was first installed on your system.
Launch the IE. Open the Tools menu (click ‘gear’ icon 
). It shows the drop-down menu on the right part of the web-browser, then click the “Internet Options”. 
In the “Internet Options” dialog screen, you need to click on the “Advanced” tab, then press the “Reset” button. The IE will open the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” dialog box. Click on the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. Next press the “Reset” button. 
Once the task is done, click “Close” button, then close the IE. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to back your browser’s settings to default state and disable ad-supported browser’s extensions.
Remove software-dl.xyz advertisements with MalwareBytes Anti-malware
Remove software-dl.xyz advertisements manually is difficult and often the ad supported software is not completely removed. Therefore, we recommend you to use the MalwareBytes Anti-malware Free that are completely clean your computer. The MalwareBytes Anti-malware is a reputable malware removal software. It can automatically detect and remove the adware of the your system. Moreover, this free software will help you to remove web-browser hijackers, malware and toolbars that your computer may be infected too. You can follow these simple steps below to eliminate the software-dl.xyz annoying advertising completely.
Download MalwareBytes Anti-malware (MBAM) from the link below.
326461 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once downloaded, close all programs and windows on your PC. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that named mbam-setup like below.
When the installation begins, you will see the “Setup wizard” that will help you install MalwareBytes Anti-malware on your system.
Once installation is complete, you will see window similar to the one below.
Now click on the “Scan Now” button to start scanning your PC for the ad supported software which causes the redirect to software-dl.xyz web-site. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient.
When the scan is finished, make sure all entries have “checkmark” and click “Remove Selected” button. The MalwareBytes Anti-malware will start to remove the ad supported software related files, folders, registry keys. Once disinfection is completed, you may be prompted to Restart.
How to block software-dl.xyz
To increase your security and protect your PC against new unwanted ads and malicious web-pages, you need to use an application that blocks access to dangerous advertising and web-pages. Moreover, the software can block the open of intrusive advertising, which also leads to faster loading of web sites and reduce the consumption of web traffic.
- Download AdGuard program using the following link.
Adguard download
26656 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- After the download is complete, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- Once the installation is finished, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will help you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you start your PC system, AdGuard will start automatically and block pop-up ads, software-dl.xyz redirects, as well as other malicious or misleading sites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon AdGuard, which is located on your desktop.
If the problem with software-dl.xyz ads is still remained
If MalwareBytes Anti-malware cannot remove the redirect to software-dl.xyz advertising, then we suggests to use the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal tool for adware, browser hijackers, PUPs, toolbars. Also you can ask for help our Myantispyware team below.
- Download AdwCleaner from the link below.
AdwCleaner download
225298 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024
- Double click the AdwCleaner icon. Once this tool is started, press “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the adware that generates the software-dl.xyz advertising.
- Once AdwCleaner has finished, it will open a scan report. Review the report and then click “Cleaning” button. It will display a prompt. Click “OK”.
How to ask for help the Myantispyware team
If you are seeking a help for software-dl.xyz ads removal then follow these steps.
- Download HijackThis from the link below and save it to your Desktop.
HijackThis download
4711 downloads
Version: 2.0.5
Author: OpenSource
Category: Security tools
Update: November 7, 2015
- Double-click on the HijackThis icon, and click the button labeled “Do a system scan only”.
- Once the scan is complete, the scan button will read “Save log”, click it. Save this log to your desktop
- Copy and paste the contents of the HijackThis log into your post. If you are posting for the first time, please start a new thread by using the “New Topic” button in the Spyware Removal forum. When posting your HJT log, try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately.
- Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the redirect to the annoying software-dl.xyz advertisements.
Create a Myantispyware account here. Once you’ve registered, check your e-mail for a confirmation link, and confirm your account. After that, login.
