The Softonic also known as PUP.Optional.SofTonic is classified as adware (‘ad-supported’ software). It is created to make revenue. The Softonic adware can show intrusive pop-up ads signed with ‘Softonic’ or ‘en.softonic.com’ on your Windows desktop or within the MS Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome. So, if you’re seeing any unwanted ads signed with ‘Softonic’ then it means that your system has become the victim of the potentially unwanted program (PUP) from the adware family. As a result of the adware infection, your computer will be full of advertisements (pop-ups, banners, in-text links, offers to install an unwanted software) and your system will be slower and slower.
It’s not a good idea to have an undesired application such as the Softonic adware that causes undesired pop-up advertisements. The reason for this is simple, it doing things you don’t know about. Even worse, the ad supported software can be used to collect confidential information about you which may be later transferred 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 Softonic pop up ads.
It is probably that you might be bothered with the Softonic adware that causes multiple intrusive advertisements and pop ups. You should not disregard this unwanted software. The ad supported software might not only show intrusive ads, but redirect your web-browser to misleading web sites. What is more, the adware can analyze your surfing, and gain access to your user information and, later, can transfer it to third parties. Thus, there are more than enough reasons to remove Softonic adware from your personal computer.
To find out how to remove Softonic pop-up ads, we recommend to read the few simple steps added to this blog post below. The guide was developed by experienced security researchers who discovered a solution to delete the annoying ad supported software out of the machine.
Remove Softonic adware (removal steps)
Without a doubt, the ad supported software is harmful to your personal computer. So you need to quickly and completely remove the adware that causes your personal computer to display undesired advertisements signed with ‘Softonic’ or ‘en.softonic.com’. To remove this ad-supported software, you can use the manual removal guide which are given below or free malware removal tool like Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM), MalwareBytes Anti-Malware or AdwCleaner (all are free). We suggest you use automatic removal method that will allow you to remove Softonic adware easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you are well versed in PC system or in the case where ad supported software is not uninstalled automatically. Read this manual carefully, bookmark or print it, because you may need to close your browser or restart your PC.
To remove Softonic, perform the following steps:
- Delete Softonic ad-supported software without any tools
- Scan your computer and remove Softonic adware with free utilities
- Run AdBlocker to block unwanted ads and stay safe online
- How was Softonic ‘ad supported’ software installed on machine
- To sum up
Delete Softonic ad-supported software without any tools
The useful removal tutorial for the Softonic adware. The detailed procedure can be followed by anyone as it really does take you step-by-step. If you follow this process to remove Softonic ads let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.
Remove potentially unwanted applications through the Windows Control Panel
In order to remove PUPs like this adware, open the Microsoft Windows Control Panel and click on “Uninstall a program”. Check the list of installed programs. For the ones you do not know, run an Internet search to see if they are adware, hijacker or potentially unwanted programs. If yes, delete them off. Even if they are just a apps that you do not use, then deleting them off will increase your PC start up time and speed dramatically.
Press Windows button 
, then click Search 
. Type “Control panel”and press Enter. If you using Windows XP or Windows 7, then press “Start” and select “Control Panel”. It will open the Windows Control Panel as on the image below.
Further, press “Uninstall a program” 
It will display a list of all applications installed on your PC. Scroll through the all list, and delete any questionable and unknown apps.
Remove Softonic from Mozilla Firefox
If your Firefox web browser is redirected to Softonic ads or an unknown search provider opens results for your search, then it may be time to perform the browser reset.
First, start the Firefox. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (
). It will open the drop-down menu. Next, click the Help button (
).
In the Help menu press the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page click on “Refresh Firefox” button as on the image below.
Confirm your action, click the “Refresh Firefox”.
Remove Softonic adware from Google Chrome
Reset Google Chrome settings is a easy way to remove the adware, malicious and adware extensions, as well as to restore the browser’s new tab, search engine by default and homepage that have been changed by Softonic ad-supported software that causes intrusive advertisements.
First launch the Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal dots (
).
It will show the Google Chrome menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed addons. If the list has the addon signed with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following steps: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
Open the Chrome menu once again. Further, click the option called “Settings”.
The web-browser will show the settings screen. Another method to open the Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the 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 on the image below and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
The Chrome will show the confirmation dialog box as displayed on the screen below.
You need to confirm your action, click the “Reset” button. The internet browser will launch the task of cleaning. After it’s done, the browser’s settings including home page, new tab page and search engine back to the values which have been when the Chrome was first installed on your personal computer.
Remove Softonic adware from IE
If you find that IE internet browser settings like new tab, search provider and startpage having been modified by Softonic ad-supported software that causes multiple undesired ads and pop-ups, then you may restore your settings, via the reset web browser procedure.
First, open the Internet Explorer, then press ‘gear’ icon 
. It will show the Tools drop-down menu on the right part of the web browser, then click the “Internet Options” as shown below.
In the “Internet Options” screen, select the “Advanced” tab, then click the “Reset” button. The Internet Explorer will show 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 on the image below.
When the process is done, click “Close” button. Close the IE and reboot your PC system for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your web-browser’s search engine by default, start page and newtab to default state.
Remove unwanted Scheduled Tasks
If the undesired Softonic ads 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 adware.
Press Windows and R keys on the keyboard simultaneously. This opens a prompt that 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, press “Task Scheduler Library”, as displayed on the image below.
Task scheduler
In the middle part you will see a list of installed tasks. Please select the first task, its properties will be open just below automatically. Next, click the Actions tab. Pay attention to that it launches on your PC system. If you are not sure that executes the task, check it through a search engine. If it is a component of the malicious software, then this task also should be removed.
Having defined the task that you want to get rid of, then click on it with the right mouse button and choose Delete as shown on the image below.
Delete a task
Repeat this step, if you have found a few tasks that have been created by the Softonic adware. Once is done, close the Task Scheduler window.
Scan your computer and remove Softonic adware with free utilities
Manual removal is not always as effective as you might think. Often, even the most experienced users may not completely remove Softonic adware that developed to display unwanted ads. So, we recommend to check your machine for any remaining harmful components with free adware removal software below.
Automatically delete Softonic with Zemana Anti-malware
We suggest you to run the Zemana Anti-malware which are completely clean your personal computer of Softonic adware that developed to redirect your internet browser to various ad web-sites. Moreover, the utility will allow you to remove PUPs, malicious software, toolbars and browser hijacker infections that your PC system may be infected too.
- Visit the page linked below to download Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM). Save it directly to your Windows Desktop.
Zemana AntiMalware
164986 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
- At the download page, click on the Download button. Your web-browser will show the “Save as” prompt. Please save it onto your Windows desktop.
- After the downloading process is finished, please close all software and open windows on your system. Next, run a file called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.
- This will start the “Setup wizard” of Zemana AntiMalware onto your PC system. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
- When the Setup wizard has finished installing, the Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) will open and show the main window.
- Further, press the “Scan” button to search for Softonic ad supported software. This process can take some time, so please be patient. While the Zemana Anti Malware program is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as threat.
- When Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) has completed scanning, Zemana Free will show a list of all items found by the scan.
- You may move threats to Quarantine (all selected by default) by simply click the “Next” button. The tool will begin to remove Softonic adware. Once the clean up is finished, you may be prompted to reboot the system.
- Close the Zemana AntiMalware and continue with the next step.
Run Malwarebytes to get rid of Softonic adware
We suggest using the Malwarebytes Free. You can download and install Malwarebytes to scan for ad-supported software and thereby delete Softonic adware from your web browsers. When installed and updated, the free malicious software remover will automatically scan and detect all threats exist on the personal computer.
Click the following link to download MalwareBytes Free. Save it on your Desktop.
327224 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
After downloading is complete, run it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will try to update itself and when this task is finished, click the “Scan Now” button to detect Softonic adware. While the MalwareBytes Anti Malware is scanning, you can see count of objects it has identified either as being malware. Review the results once the tool has complete the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click “Quarantine Selected” button.
The MalwareBytes Free is a free application that you can use to delete all detected folders, files, services, registry entries and so on. To learn more about this malicious software removal utility, we advise you to read and follow the step-by-step guidance or the video guide below.
Delete Softonic from web browsers with AdwCleaner
The AdwCleaner tool is free and easy to use. It can scan and get rid of malware, PUPs and ‘ad supported’ software in Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer browsers and thereby delete all intrusive Softonic advertisements. AdwCleaner is powerful enough to find and remove harmful registry entries and files that are hidden on the PC system.
- Installing the AdwCleaner is simple. First you will need to download AdwCleaner from the link below.
AdwCleaner download
225612 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024
- Once the download is finished, double click the AdwCleaner icon. Once this utility is opened, click “Scan” button for checking your machine for the Softonic adware. This process can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the utility is scanning, you may see count of objects and files has already scanned.
- Once AdwCleaner completes the scan, AdwCleaner will show you the results. All detected threats will be marked. You can get rid of them all by simply click “Clean” button. It will open a prompt, press “OK”.
These few simple steps are shown in detail in the following video guide.
Run AdBlocker to block unwanted ads and stay safe online
It is important to use ad-blocker apps like AdGuard to protect your system from malicious sites. Most security experts says that it’s okay to block ads. You should do so just to stay safe! And, of course, the AdGuard may to stop unwanted ads and other undesired web-pages.
Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard on your MS Windows Desktop from the link below.
26883 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
When the downloading process is done, double-click the downloaded file to run it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen as shown 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 instructions as shown in the following example.
Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick instructions which will help you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you launch your machine, AdGuard will run automatically and block pop-up advertisements, 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, that is located on your desktop.
How was Softonic ‘ad supported’ software installed on machine
Many programs developed to show a large amount of undesired ads within your computer’s internet browser. So, when you installing free software, carefully read the disclaimers, select the Custom or Advanced installation option to watch for third-party apps that are being installed, because certain of the programs are potentially unwanted software such as the Softonic software that cause undesired pop-up ads to appear.
To sum up
After completing the step-by-step guide above, your PC system should be clean from this ad-supported software and other malware. The Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge will no longer open intrusive Softonic ads. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps 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 Softonic adware.
