Cyber security specialists has determined that FreeCodecPack is categorized as adware (also known as ad-supported software). A large number of machines around the World have been hit by the FreeCodecPack adware. The tutorial below will teach you all you need to know about adware. How it got into your PC, how to remove FreeCodecPack, and how to protect your computer from any unwanted software in the future.
While your PC system is infected by the FreeCodecPack adware, the Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and MS Edge may be rerouted to various undesired web pages. Of course, adware may not cause damages to your files or Windows system, but it may open lots of intrusive advertisements. These ads will be injected within the content of sites that are you opening in your web-browser and can be varied: pop-up ads, in-text ads, different sized banners, offers to install an questionable software. The advertisements will appear on all webpages, including websites where previously you have never seen any advertisements.
We strongly suggest that you perform the steps below that will allow you to remove FreeCodecPack adware using the standard features of Windows and some proven free programs.
How to remove FreeCodecPack
Not all unwanted programs such as FreeCodecPack that causes a large count of intrusive pop up advertisements are easily uninstallable. You might see popups, deals, text links, in-text ads, banners and other type of advertisements in the Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Google Chrome and might not be able to figure out the program responsible for this activity. The reason for this is that many undesired software neither appear in Microsoft Windows Control Panel. Therefore in order to completely remove FreeCodecPack ad supported software, you need to use the steps below. Certain of the steps below will require you to shut down this web-page. So, please read the few simple steps carefully, after that bookmark or print it for later reference.
To remove FreeCodecPack, execute the steps below:
- How to manually get rid of FreeCodecPack
- How to remove FreeCodecPack with free software
- How to stay safe online
- How to avoid installation of FreeCodecPack
- Finish words
How to manually get rid of FreeCodecPack
To get rid of FreeCodecPack and other unwanted applications you can try to do so manually. Unfortunately some of the adware won’t show up in your application list, but some adware may. In this case, you may be able to remove it via the uninstall function of your Microsoft Windows computer. You can do this by completing the steps below.
Remove potentially unwanted apps through the Microsoft Windows Control Panel
Some of potentially unwanted software, ‘ad supported’ software and hijackers can be deleted using the Add/Remove programs utility which is located in the Windows Control Panel. So, if you are running any version of Windows and you have noticed an unwanted application, then first try to get rid of it through Add/Remove programs.
Make sure you have closed all web-browsers and other applications. Press CTRL, ALT, DEL keys together to open the MS Windows Task Manager.
Click on the “Processes” tab, look for something suspicious that is the FreeCodecPack ad-supported software then right-click it and select “End Task” or “End Process” option. In many cases, malicious software masks itself to avoid detection by imitating legitimate MS Windows processes. A process is particularly suspicious: it’s taking up a lot of memory (despite the fact that you closed all of your programs), its name is not familiar to you (if you’re in doubt, you can always check the application by doing a search for its name in Google, Yahoo or Bing).
Next, delete any undesired and suspicious apps from your Control panel.
Windows 10, 8.1, 8
Now, click the Windows button, type “Control panel” in search and press Enter. Choose “Programs and Features”, then “Uninstall a program”.
Look around the entire list of apps installed on your system. Most likely, one of them is the FreeCodecPack which causes unwanted pop up ads. Select the questionable program or the program that name is not familiar to you and delete it.
Windows Vista, 7
From the “Start” menu in Windows, select “Control Panel”. Under the “Programs” icon, choose “Uninstall a program”.
Choose the suspicious or any unknown applications, then click “Uninstall/Change” button to delete this undesired application from your personal computer.
Windows XP
Click the “Start” button, select “Control Panel” option. Click on “Add/Remove Programs”.
Choose an unwanted application, then press “Change/Remove” button. Follow the prompts.
Delete unwanted Scheduled Tasks
Once installed, the FreeCodecPack can add a task in to the Windows Task Scheduler Library. So, you need to check the Task Scheduler Library and remove all harmful tasks that have been created by adware.
Press Windows and R keys on your keyboard at the same time. It will display 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, click “Task Scheduler Library”, as on the image 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 show just below automatically. Next, click the Actions tab. Necessary to look at the text which is written under Details. Found something suspicious, 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 adware, then this task also should be removed.
Further click on it with the right mouse button and select Delete as displayed on the screen below.
Task scheduler, delete a task
Repeat this step, if you have found a few tasks that have been created by the FreeCodecPack adware. Once is finished, close the Task Scheduler window.
How to remove FreeCodecPack with free software
Many antivirus companies have designed applications that help detect ad-supported software and thereby remove FreeCodecPack from Windows 10 (8, 7, XP). Below is a a few of the free applications you may want to use. Your computer may have a large count of potentially unwanted applications, adware and browser hijacker infections installed at the same time, so we recommend, if any unwanted or malicious program returns after restarting the computer, then start your computer into Safe Mode and use the antimalware utility again.
How to remove FreeCodecPack ad-supported software with Zemana Anti-malware
We advise using the Zemana Anti-malware. You can download and install Zemana Anti-malware to detect and remove FreeCodecPack from your computer. When installed and updated, the malware remover will automatically check and detect all threats present on your computer.
Zemana can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Desktop.
164974 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
After the download is done, close all windows on your personal computer. Further, start the set up file called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as shown below, press the “Yes” button.
It will display the “Setup wizard” which will allow you install Zemana on the computer. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once installation is complete successfully, Zemana Anti-Malware will automatically run and you can see its main window as displayed in the figure below.
Next, click the “Scan” button . Zemana Free tool will begin scanning the whole PC system to find out FreeCodecPack and other adware. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the count of files on your PC system and the speed of your system. While the Zemana Anti-Malware is scanning, you can see how many objects it has identified either as being malicious software.
When Zemana Free has finished scanning, Zemana will produce a list of undesired applications ‘ad supported’ software. Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and click “Next” button.
The Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) will begin to delete FreeCodecPack adware and other unwanted software. After that process is complete, you may be prompted to restart your machine.
Delete FreeCodecPack and malicious extensions with Hitman Pro
HitmanPro frees your machine from browser hijacker infections, potentially unwanted programs, unwanted toolbars, internet browser addons and other undesired apps like FreeCodecPack. The free removal utility will help you enjoy your computer to its fullest. Hitman Pro uses advanced behavioral detection technologies to scan for if there are unwanted apps in your computer. You can review the scan results, and select the items you want to delete.
- Installing the Hitman Pro is simple. First you will need to download HitmanPro from the link below.
- After downloading is done, double click the Hitman Pro icon. Once this tool is launched, click “Next” button to perform a system scan for the FreeCodecPack.
- Once HitmanPro has finished scanning, you can check all items found on your machine. Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and click “Next” button. Now click the “Activate free license” button to start the free 30 days trial to get rid of all malware found.
Run Malwarebytes to remove FreeCodecPack
We recommend using the Malwarebytes Free that are completely clean your machine of the adware. The free utility is an advanced malicious software removal program made by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti malware technology. It is able to help you get rid of potentially unwanted software, malware, hijacker infections, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your PC for free.
- Download MalwareBytes Free on your Windows Desktop by clicking on the link below.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
327216 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
- When the download is complete, close all apps and windows on your PC system. Open a file location. Double-click on the icon that’s named mb3-setup.
- Further, click Next button and follow the prompts.
- Once installation is done, click the “Scan Now” button . MalwareBytes AntiMalware program will scan through the whole computer for the FreeCodecPack ad-supported software. This procedure may take some time, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware application is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as threat.
- After MalwareBytes completes the scan, MalwareBytes Free will show you the results. Review the scan results and then click “Quarantine Selected”. Once finished, you may be prompted to reboot your personal computer.
The following video offers a few simple steps on how to remove browser hijacker infections, adware and other malware with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware.
How to stay safe online
We recommend to install an ad blocker program that may stop unwanted ads and misleading web-sites. The ad blocker utility like AdGuard is a program that basically removes advertising from the Internet and blocks access to malicious web-pages. Moreover, security experts says that using ad blocking programs is necessary to stay safe when surfing the Web.
Please go to the following link to download the latest version of AdGuard for MS Windows. Save it on your MS Windows desktop or in any other place.
26882 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
After downloading it, double-click the downloaded file to launch it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen as displayed on the image below.
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 shown in the following example.
Press “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will help you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you run your system, AdGuard will run automatically and stop annoying popup advertisements, as well as other harmful or misleading web-pages. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, which is located on your desktop.
How to avoid installation of FreeCodecPack
The FreeCodecPack adware which redirects your internet browser to undesired ad websites, can be categorized as PUP (potentially unwanted program) which mostly comes on the PC system with other free software. Most often, this unwanted application comes without the user’s knowledge. Therefore, many users aren’t even aware that their computer has been affected by malware. Please follow the easy rules in order to protect your system from any unwanted applications: don’t install any suspicious programs, read the user agreement and choose only the Custom, Manual or Advanced setup type, do not rush to press the Next button. Also, always try to find a review of the application on the World Wide Web. Be careful and attentive!
Finish words
Now your PC system should be free of the FreeCodecPack adware. We suggest that you keep Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) (to periodically scan your system for new adwares and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you block undesired ads and harmful web-pages). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party software, make sure that your antivirus application, turn on the option to find out potentially unwanted apps.
If you need more help with FreeCodecPack related issues, go to here.
