How to remove practicaldownloads.com pop-ups [Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge]

If you find that your web browser has become display the unwanted practicaldownloads.com pop-ups then it is a sign that your computer is infected with harmful software from the adware family. The adware (sometimes called ‘ad-supported’ software) is a form of unwanted software that can open tons of pop-up ads without a user’s permission. Moreover, it can redirect the browser on harmful and misleading pages. Also, if you seeing that the Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Internet Explorer tries to load an unknown page, when you try to open a long-known web page, then you do not need to wait! Press the stop button in internet browser’s address bar. You need to follow the step-by-step guide below and clean your computer from ‘ad supported’ software as soon as possible. It will assist you to remove the redirect to practicaldownloads.com and any annoying pop-up ads.

The malicious applications from the adware family that modifies the settings of web browsers usually affects only the Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge. However, possible situations, when any other web browsers will be affected too. The adware may change the Target property of a browser’s shortcut, so every time you start the browser, instead of your home page, you will see the unwanted practicaldownloads.com advertisements.

The adware 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 advertisements, and thus to promote the goods and services in an open web-browser window. So, the practicaldownloads.com is just one of the many web pages of the so-called ‘ad-support’ type. It is designed to fill the web browser’s constant stream of ads, or redirect the web-browser to not expected and intrusive advertising sites. Moreover, the ad supported software can substitute the legitimate advertisements 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 sites, so the creators of ad-supported software, often forcing users to click on an advertising link. For each click on a link, the authors of the ‘ad supported’ software receive income. It’s the so-called ‘Pay-Per-Click’ method.

So, obviously, you need to remove the ad-supported software as soon as possible. Use the free step-by-step instructions below. This guide will help you clean your PC and thereby get rid of the practicaldownloads.com unwanted pop-up ads.

How can you prevent your computer from the attack of practicaldownloads.com popup ads

I want to note that the ad supported software spreads in the composition together with various free programs. This means that you need to be very careful when installing programs downloaded from the World Wide Web, even from a large proven hosting. Be sure to read the Terms of Use and the Software license, select only the Manual, Advanced or Custom installation mode, switch off all additional modules and applications are offered to install. So, the negligence when running unknown applications may lead to the fact that the adware is installed.

How to manually remove practicaldownloads.com redirect

This useful removal guide for the practicaldownloads.com . The detailed procedure can be followed by anyone as it really does take you step-by-step. If you follow this process to remove practicaldownloads.com ads let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.

1. Uninstall suspicious and unknown programs by using Windows Control Panel
2. Remove practicaldownloads.com pop-up ads from Firefox
3. Get rid of practicaldownloads.com pop-up ads from Google Chrome
4. Remove practicaldownloads.com advertisements from Internet Explorer
5. Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts to remove practicaldownloads.com redirect
6. Get rid of unwanted Scheduled Tasks

Uninstall suspicious and unknown programs by using Windows Control Panel

The best way to start the computer cleanup is to delete unknown and suspicious software. Using the Windows Control Panel you can do this quickly and easily. This step, in spite of its simplicity, should not be ignored, because the removing of unneeded programs can clean up your web-browser from advertisements, hijackers and so on.

1. If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then press Windows key, click Search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.
2. If you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, then press “Start” button and click “Control Panel”.
3. It will display the Windows Control Panel.
4. Click “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
5. You will see a list of all installed programs.
6. Scroll through the all list, and delete suspicious and unknown applications. To quickly find the latest installed software, we recommend sort applications by date.

See more details in the video instructions below.

Remove practicaldownloads.com pop-up ads from Firefox

If the Firefox settings have been modified by the ‘ad supported’ software, then resetting it to the default state can help you to remove the redirect onto practicaldownloads.com site.

First, start the Firefox and click button. It will show the drop-down menu on the right-part of the web-browser. Next, click the Help button () as on the image below.

In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the browser address bar and press Enter. It will display the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.

It will show the confirmation prompt, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The FF will start a task to fix your problems that caused by the ad-supported software. Once it’s finished, click the “Finish” button

Get rid of practicaldownloads.com pop-up ads from Google Chrome

Like other modern browsers, the Chrome has the ability to reset the settings to their default values and thereby get rid of the redirect to practicaldownloads.com annoying advertisements that is caused by the ad-supported software.

At first, start the Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will appear the main menu. Click on the option named “Settings”. Another way to display the Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the web-browser adress bar and press Enter.

The 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 in the figure below and click the “Reset settings” button.

The Google Chrome will display the confirmation prompt. You need to confirm your action, press the “Reset” button. The program will run the process of cleaning. Once it’s done, the browser settings including the ‘block pop-ups’ option back to the values that have been when the Chrome was first installed on your PC system.

Remove practicaldownloads.com advertisements from Internet Explorer

First, launch the Internet Explorer, then click the button in the form of gear (). It will show the Tools drop-down menu as shown on the image below. Next, click the “Internet Options”.

In the Internet Options window click on the Advanced tab, then click the Reset button. The Internet Explorer will show the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window as on the image below. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then click on “Reset” button.

You will now need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts to remove practicaldownloads.com redirect

Once the adware is started, it can also alter the internet browser’s shortcuts, adding an argument such as “http://site.address” into the Target field. Due to this, every time you open the web-browser, it will be redirected to an unwanted ads.

To clear the browser shortcut, right-click to it and select Properties. On the Shortcut tab, locate the Target field. Click inside, you will see a vertical line – arrow pointer, move it (using -> arrow key on your keyboard) to the right as possible. You will see a text which begins with “http://” that has been added here. You need to remove it.

When the argument is removed, click the OK button. You need to clean all shortcuts of all your web browsers, as they may be infected too.

Get rid of unwanted Scheduled Tasks

Once installed, the adware can add a task in to the Windows Task Scheduler Library. Due to this, every time when you open your personal computer, it will display practicaldownloads.com annoying web-site. So, you need to check the Task Scheduler Library and remove all tasks that have been created by adware.

Press Windows and R keys on your keyboard together. It will show a dialog box that titled with Run. In the text field, type “taskschd.msc” (without the quotes) and click OK. Task Scheduler window opens. In the left-hand side, click “Task Scheduler Library”, as shown on the image below.

In the middle part you will see a list of installed tasks. Select the first task, its properties will be open just below automatically. Next, click the Actions tab. Necessary to look at the text which is written under Details. Found something like “explorer.exe http://site.address” or “chrome.exe http://site.address” or “firefox.exe http://site.address”, then you need remove this task. If you are not sure that executes the task, then google it. If it’s a component of the ‘ad-supported’ program, then this task also should be removed.

Further click on it with the right mouse button and select Delete as shown in the figure below.

Repeat this step, if you have found a few tasks that have been created by unwanted programs. Once is finished, close the Task Scheduler window.

How to remove practicaldownloads.com advertisements automatically

Manual removal is not always as effective as you might think. Often, even the most experienced users can not completely get rid of practicaldownloads.com advertisements from the infected computer. This is because the adware can hide its components which are difficult for you to find out and delete completely. This may lead to the fact that after some time, the ‘ad supported’ software again infect your computer and it will start to show annoying practicaldownloads.com ads. Moreover, I want to note that it is not always safe to remove ad-supported software manually, if you do not have much experience in setting up and configuring the PC.

I suggest using the Malwarebytes Free which are completely clean your computer. It is an advanced malware removal program developed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This application uses the world’s most popular anti-malware technology. It is able to help you remove browser hijackers, malware, adware, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your PC system for free.

Now, click the link below to download Malwarebytes Free on your computer. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.

Once the downloading process is finished, close all applications on your computer. Next, run the setup file named mb3-setup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as on the image below, click the Yes button.

It will open the “Setup wizard” which will help you install Malwarebytes on your system. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.

Once installation is complete successfully, click Finish button. Then Malwarebytes will automatically start and you can see its main screen like below.

Now click the “Scan Now” button to begin checking your PC for the ‘ad supported’ software which cause a redirect to practicaldownloads.com. Once the ad-supported software or malware is found, the number of the detected objects will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is done. Please be patient.

When it has finished scanning, you can check all threats detected on your computer. Make sure all entries have “checkmark” and click “Quarantine Selected” button. The Malwarebytes will start removing malware and adware which cause practicaldownloads.com ads. Once disinfection is finished, you may be prompted to reboot your machine.

I suggest you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the Malwarebytes program to delete adware and other malware.

How to block practicaldownloads.com advertisements

To increase your security and protect your PC system against new annoying ads and malicious sites, you need to use an application that blocks access to malicious advertisements and web pages. Moreover, the program can stop the open of intrusive advertising, which also leads to faster loading of sites and reduce the consumption of web traffic.

1. Download AdGuard application by clicking on the following link.
   

   Adguard download
   26655 downloads
   Version: 6.4
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: November 15, 2018
   
2. Once downloading is complete, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” window. Follow the prompts.
3. Once the install is complete, press “Skip” to close it and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see a quick tutorial that will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you run your personal computer, AdGuard will launch automatically and block popup ads, practicaldownloads.com redirects, as well as other malicious or misleading web sites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, that is located on your Windows desktop.

Scan your computer and remove practicaldownloads.com ads with AdwCleaner.

This removal application is free and easy to use. It can scan and remove ad supported software, browser hijackers, malware and unwanted toolbars in Chrome, Firefox, IE and Edge web browsers and thereby restore back their default settings (homepage, new tab page and search engine by default). AdwCleaner is powerful enough to find and get rid of malicious registry entries and files that are hidden on the personal computer.

Download AdwCleaner utility from the link below. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

After the download is finished, open the directory in which you saved it and double-click the AdwCleaner icon. It will launch the AdwCleaner utility and you will see a screen as on the image below. If the User Account Control prompt will ask you want to show the application, press Yes button to continue.

Now, click the “Scan” . This will begin scanning the whole computer to find out adware that cause a redirect to practicaldownloads.com advertisements.

When the system scan is finished, it will show a list of all items detected by this utility as shown on the image below.

You need to click “Clean” button. It will open a prompt, click “OK” to begin the cleaning process. Once the cleaning process is done, the AdwCleaner may ask you to restart your computer. After restart, the AdwCleaner will display the log file.

All the above steps are shown in detail in the following video guide.

Finish words

Once you have complete the step-by-step instructions above, your PC should be free from malware and adware. The Google Chrome, FF, Edge and Internet Explorer will no longer show practicaldownloads.com unwanted pop-up ads or redirect you to unwanted web-pages. Unfortunately, if the steps does not help you, then you have caught a new type of adware, and then the best way – ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.