How to remove Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] [Virus removal guide]

If you find that your antivirus detects the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] threat and when you surf the Web, a large amount of popup ads are shown, then you have an adware (also known as ‘ad-supported’ software) installed on your PC system. The Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware can change computer setting in order to launch automatically when the system start. You will be annoyed about it. Similar to other undesired software, the adware can display advertisements without your’s permission, and these annoying ads is difficult to shut down. The worst is, the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] virus has the ability to collect lots of user data to get profit.

It’s not a good idea to have an unwanted program like the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware which causes annoying pop up ads. The reason for this is simple, it doing things you do not know about. Even worse, the ad-supported software be able to collect your user data which can be later sold to third parties. You do not know if your home address, account names and passwords are safe. And of course you completely don’t know what will happen when you click on any advertisements.

In addition to that, as was mentioned earlier, the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] can modify all web browsers shortcuts which located on your Desktop or Start menu. So, every affected shortcut file will try to reroute your browser to annoying ad web sites, some of which might be harmful. It can make the whole PC more vulnerable to hacker attacks.

Instructions that is shown below, will allow you to clean your personal computer from the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] virus as well as get rid of any undesired pop up ads from the Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge and other browsers.

Remove Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW]

When the ad-supported software gets installed on your computer without your knowledge, it’s not easy to uninstall. Most often, there is no Uninstall application which simply uninstall the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] that redirects your internet browser to intrusive ad web-pages from your personal computer. So, we recommend using several well-proven free specialized tools such as Zemana, MalwareBytes or AdwCleaner. But the best method to delete Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] will be to perform several manual steps, after that additionally use antimalware tools.

If you are using an Apple computer running Mac OS, then use the following tutorial How to remove browser hijacker, pop-ups, advertisements from Mac

To remove Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW], perform the steps below:

Manual Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware removal
Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] automatic removal

Manual Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware removal

The useful removal steps for the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] threat. The detailed procedure can be followed by anyone as it really does take you step-by-step. If you follow this process to remove Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.

Delete suspicious programs using Windows Control Panel

Check out the MS Windows Control Panel (Programs and Features section) to see all installed programs. We suggest to click on the “Date Installed” in order to sort the list of applications by the date you installed them. If you see any unknown and questionable programs, they are the ones you need to delete.

Windows 8, 8.1, 10

First, click Windows button

, then click Search

. Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter as on the image below.

After the ‘Control Panel’ opens, click the ‘Uninstall a program’ link under Programs category as displayed in the following example.

You will see the ‘Uninstall a program’ panel as displayed on the screen below.

Very carefully look around the entire list of software installed on your computer. Most likely, one of them is the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] that causes multiple intrusive ads and pop ups. If you’ve many software installed, you can help simplify the search of malicious applications by sort the list by date of installation. Once you have found a suspicious, unwanted or unused program, right click to it, after that click ‘Uninstall’.

Windows XP, Vista, 7

First, click ‘Start’ button and select ‘Control Panel’ at right panel as on the image below.

Once the Windows ‘Control Panel’ opens, you need to click ‘Uninstall a program’ under ‘Programs’ as shown on the screen below.

You will see a list of software installed on your computer. We recommend to sort the list by date of installation to quickly find the programs that were installed last. Most probably, it is the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware that causes browsers to open annoying pop ups. If you’re in doubt, you can always check the application by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing. Once the program which you need to remove is found, simply click on its name, and then click ‘Uninstall’ as shown below.

Remove unwanted Scheduled Tasks

If an annoying page opens automatically on Windows startup or at equal time intervals, then you need to check the Task Scheduler Library and remove all the tasks that have been created by the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware.

Press Windows and R keys on your keyboard at the same time. It will display a dialog box which titled as 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 displayed in the figure below.

Task scheduler, list of tasks

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 get rid of this task. If you are not sure that executes the task, then google it. If it is a component of the malicious applications, then this task also should be removed.

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

Task scheduler, delete a task

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

Delete Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware from Internet Explorer

By resetting Internet Explorer web browser you restore your internet browser settings to its default state. This is basic when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] which designed to redirect your internet browser to various ad web-sites.

First, run the Microsoft Internet Explorer, then click ‘gear’ icon . It will display the Tools drop-down menu on the right part of the browser, then press the “Internet Options” as on the image below.

In the “Internet Options” screen, select the “Advanced” tab, then click the “Reset” button. The IE will display the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” dialog box. Further, click the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. Next, click the “Reset” button as shown in the figure below.

After the process is finished, click “Close” button. Close the Internet Explorer and restart your computer for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your browser’s startpage, new tab and search engine by default to default state.

Get rid of Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] from Mozilla Firefox by resetting browser settings

Resetting your Firefox is basic troubleshooting step for any issues with your web-browser program, including the redirect to unwanted web-sites.

Click the Menu button (looks like three horizontal lines), and click the blue Help icon located at the bottom of the drop down menu like below.

A small menu will appear, click the “Troubleshooting Information”. On this page, click “Refresh Firefox” button as on the image below.

Follow the onscreen procedure to restore your Firefox browser settings to its original state.

Remove Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] from Google Chrome

If your Google Chrome browser is rerouted to unwanted web pages, it may be necessary to completely reset your internet browser program to its default settings.

First open the Google Chrome. Next, press the button in the form of three horizontal dots ().

It will display the Chrome menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed add-ons. If the list has the extension signed with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following tutorial: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.

Open the Chrome menu once again. Further, press the option named “Settings”.

The web-browser will open the settings screen. Another way to display the Google Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the web-browser adress bar and press Enter

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset” section is visible, as shown on the image below and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.

The Google Chrome will open the confirmation dialog box as shown on the screen below.

You need to confirm your action, click the “Reset” button. The web-browser will run the process of cleaning. Once it is done, the internet browser’s settings including new tab page, home page and search provider by default back to the values which have been when the Google Chrome was first installed on your personal computer.

Fix affected web-browsers shortcuts affected by Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW]

After installed, the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] threat that causes multiple intrusive advertisements and popups, may add an argument like “http://site.address” into the Target property of the desktop shortcut file for the Firefox, Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer and MS Edge. Due to this, every time you start the web browser, it’ll display an undesired ad page.

Right click to a desktop shortcut file for your hijacked web browser. Select the “Properties” option. It will show the Properties window. Select the “Shortcut” tab here, after that, look at the “Target” field. The Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] virus can replace it. If you are seeing something similar to “…exe http://site.address” then you need to remove “http…” and leave only, depending on the web browser you are using:

Google Chrome: chrome.exe
Opera: opera.exe
Firefox: firefox.exe
Internet Explorer: iexplore.exe

Look at the example like below.

Once is complete, click the “OK” button to save the changes. Please repeat this step for web browser shortcut files that reroutes to an unwanted web-pages. When you’ve finished, go to next step.

Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] automatic removal

Run malware removal tools to remove Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] security threat automatically. The free software tools specially created for hijacker infections, adware and other potentially unwanted software removal. These utilities can delete most of adware from Chrome, FF, MS Edge and Internet Explorer. Moreover, it can remove all components of adware from Windows registry and system drives.

How to automatically delete Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] with Zemana Anti-malware

You can delete Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware automatically with a help of Zemana Anti-malware. We advise this malware removal tool because it can easily remove browser hijackers, potentially unwanted apps, adware with all their components such as folders, files and registry entries.

Download Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM) on your system from the following link.

Zemana AntiMalware
159596 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019

Once downloading is finished, close all applications and windows on your personal computer. Double-click the setup file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as shown on the image below, click the “Yes” button.

It will open the “Setup wizard” which will help you install Zemana Anti Malware on your machine. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.

Once setup is finished successfully, Zemana will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown in the figure below.

Now press the “Scan” button .Zemana Free application will scan through the whole PC system for the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware which reroutes your browser to annoying ad web pages. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient. When a threat is detected, the count of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is finished.

As the scanning ends, Zemana Anti Malware will show a list of all threats found by the scan. In order to get rid of all items, simply click “Next” button. The Zemana will delete Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] which created to reroute your internet browser to various ad web sites and move items to the program’s quarantine. Once finished, you may be prompted to restart the system.

Get rid of Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] with Malwarebytes

You can get rid of Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware automatically with a help of Malwarebytes Free. We suggest this free malware removal tool because it can easily remove browser hijackers, adware, PUPs and toolbars with all their components such as files, folders and registry entries.

Visit the following page to download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM). Save it to your Desktop.

Malwarebytes Anti-malware
317779 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020

Once the download is finished, run it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will try to update itself and when this procedure is complete, click the “Scan Now” button .MalwareBytes Anti Malware application will scan through the whole personal computer for the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] virus that causes undesired advertisements. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient. In order to remove all items, simply press “Quarantine Selected” button.

The MalwareBytes is a free program that you can use to delete all detected folders, files, services, registry entries and so on. To learn more about this malware removal utility, we advise you to read and follow the steps or the video guide below.

Scan your personal computer and get rid of Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware with AdwCleaner

AdwCleaner is a free removal utility. It removes potentially unwanted software, ad supported software, hijackers and undesired browser extensions. Video guide available here. It will identify and remove Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] which developed to redirect your web-browser to various ad web sites. AdwCleaner uses very small personal computer resources and is a portable program.

Download AdwCleaner by clicking on the following link. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

AdwCleaner download
220807 downloads
Version: 8.3.2
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 28, 2022

Download and use AdwCleaner on your system. Once started, press “Scan” button .AdwCleaner program will scan through the whole computer for the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] that created to redirect your browser to various ad web sites. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient. When a malicious software, ‘ad supported’ software or PUPs are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. . When AdwCleaner has completed scanning your machine, the results are displayed in the scan report. Once you have selected what you want to delete from your computer, press Clean button.

All-in-all, AdwCleaner is a fantastic free tool to clean your personal computer from any unwanted programs. The AdwCleaner is portable program that meaning, you do not need to install it to run it. AdwCleaner is compatible with all versions of Windows operating system from Microsoft Windows XP to Windows 10. Both 64-bit and 32-bit systems are supported.

How to stay safe online

If you surf the Internet, you cannot avoid malvertising. But you can protect your web-browser against it. Download and run an adblocker program. AdGuard is an ad-blocker that can filter out a lot of of the malicious advertising, blocking dynamic scripts from loading harmful content.

Download AdGuard application on your computer from the following link.

After the download is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as displayed in the figure below.

Follow the prompts. After the install is done, you will see a window as displayed in the following example.

You can click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial which will allow 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 run your PC, AdGuard will start automatically and block ads, as well as other harmful 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 AdGuard icon, which is located on your desktop.

Tips to prevent Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] and other unwanted software

It is very important to pay attention to additional checkboxes during the installation of free software to avoid installing of potentially unwanted apps, ad supported software, browser hijackers or other undesired applications. Never setup the optional apps that the program wants to install with it. Inattentive freeware download can result in install of unwanted program like this Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware that causes web browsers to open annoying pop up advertisements.

To sum up

After completing the step-by-step guidance outlined above, your PC system should be clean from the Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware and other malicious software. The Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and MS Edge will no longer show intrusive pages when you surf the Internet. Unfortunately, if the guidance does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help.

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 unwanted Win64:Adware-Gen [ADW] adware.