How to remove “Critical Chrome Update” pop-up [Virus removal guide]

The Critical Chrome Update is a misleading ‘ad’ web site, already at the first sight of which there are various doubts. This web page is designed only for one purpose – force you into installing an questionable software. If your browser automatically opens to “Critical Chrome Update” site then it is possible that an adware (also known as ‘ad-supported’ software) was installed on your machine. This type of harmful software does not delete files or infect them, but such as a virus can change computer settings like the start page, new tab and default search engine and download and install malicious extensions that generates tons of pop-ups. All the time, while the adware is running, your internet browser will be fill with unwanted advertisements including misleading advertising like these “Critical Chrome Update” fake alerts. Moreover, this adware can be used to gather privacy data, everything related to what are you doing on the Net.

While your computer is affected by the ad-supported software, the Google Chrome, IE, FF and Microsoft Edge may be redirected to “Critical Chrome Update” unwanted web-page. Of course, the adware may not cause damages to your files or Windows system, but it may display a ton of annoying advertisements. These ads will be injected within the content of web sites that are you opening in your internet browser and can be varied: pop-up ads, in-text ads, different sized banners, offers to install an questionable software. The ads will appear on all pages, including web sites where previously you have never seen any advertising banners.

Most often, the adware hijacks the most common web-browsers like the Firefox, Chrome, IE and Edge. But such the malicious software as well may infect another web-browsers by modifying its shortcuts (adding an argument like ‘http://site.address’ into Target field of a web-browser’s shortcut). So every time you launch the web browser, it’ll reroute to the intrusive “Critical Chrome Update” web-site. Even if you setup a new homepage, an unwanted site will be the first thing you see when you open the Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer and MS Edge.

To find out how to get rid of “Critical Chrome Update” popup warnings, we suggest to read the instructions added to this blog post below. The tutorial was prepared by experienced security researchers who discovered a way to remove the annoying ‘ad supported’ software out of the computer.

Remove “Critical Chrome Update” fake alerts

There are a few methods that can be used to remove “Critical Chrome Update” fake alerts. But, not all potentially unwanted software such as this adware can be completely deleted using only manual solutions. In most cases you are not able to remove any ad supported software using standard Windows options. In order to get rid of “Critical Chrome Update” pop-up warnings you need complete a few manual steps and run reliable removal utilities. Most IT security professionals states that Zemana Anti Malware, MalwareBytes or AdwCleaner tools are a right choice. These free programs are able to detect and remove “Critical Chrome Update” fake alerts from your personal computer and revert back your web-browser settings to defaults.

To remove Critical Chrome Update, follow the steps below:

1. Manual “Critical Chrome Update” popup warnings removal
   • Remove ad supported software through the MS Windows Control Panel
   • Fix affected internet browsers shortcuts to remove “Critical Chrome Update” redirect
   • Remove “Critical Chrome Update” pop-up scam from Google Chrome
   • Get rid of unwanted Scheduled Tasks
2. Scan your personal computer and remove “Critical Chrome Update” pop up scam with free tools
   • How to automatically get rid of “Critical Chrome Update” pop-up scam with Zemana Anti-malware
   • Get rid of “Critical Chrome Update” popup warnings with Malwarebytes
   • If the problem with “Critical Chrome Update” pop up warnings is still remained
3. How to block “Critical Chrome Update” popup warnings
4. How to prevent “Critical Chrome Update” pop-up warnings from getting inside your system
5. To sum up

Manual “Critical Chrome Update” popup warnings removal

The useful removal steps for the “Critical Chrome Update” pop-up scam. The detailed procedure can be followed by anyone as it really does take you step-by-step. If you follow this process to get rid of “Critical Chrome Update” popup scam let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.

Remove ad supported software through the MS Windows Control Panel

Some PUPs, browser hijacking applications and ‘ad supported’ software can be uninstalled by uninstalling the freeware they came with. If this way does not succeed, then looking them up in the list of installed applications in Microsoft Windows Control Panel. Use the “Uninstall” command in order to get rid of them.

1. If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then click Windows button, next click Search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.
2. If you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, then click “Start” button and press “Control Panel”.
3. It will open the Windows Control Panel.
4. Further, click “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
5. It will show a list of all programs installed on the PC system.
6. Scroll through the all list, and remove questionable and unknown applications. To quickly find the latest installed applications, we recommend sort apps by date.

See more details in the video guidance below.

Fix affected internet browsers shortcuts to remove “Critical Chrome Update” redirect

Now you need to clean up the web browser shortcuts. Check that the shortcut file referring to the right exe-file of the browser, and not on any unknown file.

Click the right mouse button to a desktop shortcut which you use to launch your web browser. Next, choose the “Properties” option. Important: necessary to click on the desktop shortcut for the web-browser which is redirected to the “Critical Chrome Update” or other intrusive page.

Further, necessary to look at the text which is written in the “Target” field. The adware that cause misleading “Critical Chrome Update” popup to appear can rewrite the contents of this field, which describes the file to be run when you launch your internet browser. Depending on the web browser you’re using, there should be:

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

If you’re seeing an unknown text such as “http://site.addres” that has been added here, then you should remove it, as on the image below.

Next, press the “OK” button to save the changes. Now, when you start the web browser from this desktop shortcut, it does not occur automatically redirect on the “Critical Chrome Update” web-site or any other undesired web sites. Once the step is complete, we recommend to go to the next step.

Remove “Critical Chrome Update” pop-up scam from Google Chrome

If your Chrome web-browser is redirected to intrusive “Critical Chrome Update” web page, it may be necessary to completely reset your web browser application to its default settings.

1. First, launch the Chrome and click the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
2. It will open the Google Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
3. You will see the list of installed plugins. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following tutorial: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
4. Now open the Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
5. Next, click “Advanced” link, that located at the bottom of the Settings page.
6. On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
7. The Google Chrome will display the reset settings prompt as shown on the image above.
8. Confirm the web browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
9. To learn more, read the article How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.

Get rid of unwanted Scheduled Tasks

If the annoying “Critical Chrome Update” web-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 which have been created by ‘ad-supported’ apps.

Press Windows and R keys on the keyboard simultaneously. This displays a prompt that titled as Run. In the text field, type “taskschd.msc” (without the quotes) and press OK. Task Scheduler window opens. In the left-hand side, press “Task Scheduler Library”, as shown on the screen below.

In the middle part you will see a list of installed tasks. Please select the first task, its properties will be display just below automatically. Next, click the Actions tab. Pay attention to that it launches on your system. Found something like “explorer.exe http://site.address” or “chrome.exe http://site.address”, then remove this harmful task. If you are not sure that executes the task, check it through a search engine. If it is a component of the adware, then this task also should be removed.

Having defined the task that you want to remove, then click on it with the right mouse button and choose Delete like below.

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

Scan your personal computer and remove “Critical Chrome Update” pop up scam with free tools

Manual removal is not always as effective as you might think. Often, even the most experienced users can not completely remove adware that causes misleading “Critical Chrome Update” popup warnings on your web-browser. So, we recommend to scan your computer for any remaining harmful components with free adware removal programs below.

How to automatically get rid of “Critical Chrome Update” pop-up scam with Zemana Anti-malware

We advise using the Zemana Anti-malware. You can download and install Zemana Anti-malware to find out and delete “Critical Chrome Update” pop up warnings from the FF, Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer and MS Edge internet browsers. When installed and updated, the malware remover will automatically scan and detect all threats exist on your PC system.

Visit the page linked below to download Zemana AntiMalware. Save it on your Windows desktop.

Once downloading is finished, close all applications and windows on your PC system. Double-click the install file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as displayed on the image below, click the “Yes” button.

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

Once setup is finished successfully, Zemana Anti Malware will automatically start and you can see its main screen as displayed below.

Now press the “Scan” button .Zemana Anti Malware program will scan through the whole computer for the adware which cause misleading “Critical Chrome Update” popup scam to appear. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient. While the tool is checking, you can see count of objects and files has already scanned.

After that process is complete, Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) will open a screen which contains a list of malicious software that has been detected. Next, you need to press “Next” button. The Zemana Free will remove adware that cause misleading “Critical Chrome Update” popup warnings to appear and move items to the program’s quarantine. Once the process is finished, you may be prompted to restart the personal computer.

Get rid of “Critical Chrome Update” popup warnings with Malwarebytes

Manual “Critical Chrome Update” fake alerts removal requires some computer skills. Some files and registry entries that created by the ad-supported software may be not completely removed. We recommend that run the Malwarebytes Free that are completely free your PC system of ad-supported software. Moreover, the free program will help you to remove malicious software, potentially unwanted software, browser hijackers and toolbars that your system can be infected too.

Click the following link to download the latest version of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware for Microsoft Windows. Save it on your Desktop.

After the downloading process is finished, close all apps and windows on your computer. Double-click the setup file named mb3-setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as shown in the following example, click the “Yes” button.

It will open the “Setup wizard” that will help you set up MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) on your personal computer. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.

Once setup is done successfully, click Finish button. MalwareBytes will automatically start and you can see its main screen like below.

Now click the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan for the adware which shows misleading “Critical Chrome Update” fake alerts on your personal computer. Depending on your computer, the scan may take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. When a malware, adware or PUPs are detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is complete.

Once the scan get completed, you may check all items detected on your system. Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and press “Quarantine Selected” button. The MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) will begin to delete ‘ad supported’ software which created to display misleading “Critical Chrome Update” pop up within your web-browser. When the process is finished, you may be prompted to restart the system.

We suggest you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the MalwareBytes Free to delete adware, hijacker and other malware.

If the problem with “Critical Chrome Update” pop up warnings is still remained

AdwCleaner is a portable utility which detects and deletes unwanted programs like hijackers, adware, toolbars, other browser plugins and other malicious software. It scans your personal computer for ‘ad supported’ software that causes misleading “Critical Chrome Update” pop-up scam on your web browser and produces a list of items marked for removal. AdwCleaner will only uninstall those undesired software that you wish to be removed.

1. Click the following link to download the latest version of AdwCleaner for MS Windows. Save it on your Desktop.
   
   

   AdwCleaner download
   225301 downloads
   Version: 8.4.1
   Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: October 5, 2024
   
2. Select the file location as Desktop, and then press Save.
3. When the download is finished, start the AdwCleaner, double-click the adwcleaner_xxx.exe file.
4. If the “User Account Control” prompts, click Yes to continue.
5. Read the “Terms of use”, and click Accept.
6. In the AdwCleaner window, click the “Scan” to find adware that causes misleading “Critical Chrome Update” popup on your internet browser. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient. When a threat is detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is complete.
7. After the scan is complete, AdwCleaner will show you the results. Review the report and then click “Clean”. If the AdwCleaner will ask you to restart your computer, click “OK”.

The guidance shown in detail in the following video.

How to block “Critical Chrome Update” popup warnings

By installing an ad blocking program such as AdGuard, you are able to stop “Critical Chrome Update”, autoplaying video ads and get rid of a lot of distracting and undesired ads on web pages.

Installing the AdGuard ad blocker program is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard on your computer from the following link.

Once the downloading process is finished, double-click the downloaded file to run it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen as displayed in the following example.

Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed and an icon will be placed on your desktop. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guide as displayed in the following example.

Press “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick guidance which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you launch your PC, AdGuard will start automatically and block popup ads, Critical Chrome Update pop-up, as well as other harmful 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, which may be found on your desktop.

How to prevent “Critical Chrome Update” pop-up warnings from getting inside your system

The ad supported software may be spread through the use of trojan horses and other forms of malware, but in many cases, the adware gets onto computer by being attached to some free programs. Many developers of free software include optional applications in their installer. Sometimes it is possible to avoid the setup of any adware: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, select only Manual, Custom or Advanced installation type, uncheck all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new free applications.

To sum up

Now your personal computer should be free of the ad-supported software that created to display misleading “Critical Chrome Update” fake alerts within your web-browser. Uninstall AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep Zemana (to periodically scan your computer for new adwares and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you block undesired pop up advertisements and malicious sites). Moreover, to prevent ‘ad supported’ softwares, please stay clear of unknown and third party software, make sure that your antivirus program, turn on the option to scan for PUPs (potentially unwanted programs).

If you need more help with “Critical Chrome Update” pop-up warnings related issues, go to our Spyware/Malware removal forum.