How to uninstall Promote Queue app/extension from Mac

What is PromoteQueue

PromoteQueue is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that belongs to the Adware group . Adware is type of malicious software which displays unwanted advertising on a computer, redirects search requests to advertising webpages and gathers confidential data for marketing purposes. Adware software can display banner advertisements, full-screen advertisements, pop ups, videos, or other varieties of online advertising. Adware can attack your Apple Mac’s web browsers such as the Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari. Maybe you approve the idea that the advertisements or popups is just a small problem. But these unwanted ads eat Apple Mac resources and slow down your machine performance.

The worst is, adware can gather and transmit personal information without your knowledge. Adware can track information about web-sites visited, web-browser and system information, and your machine IP address.

If you are unfortunate have adware, you can follow the step-by-step guidance below that will allow you to get rid of PromoteQueue and thus remove undesired ads from your web-browser.

How does PromoteQueue get on your Apple Mac

In many cases, a freeware installer includes additional software like this adware software. So, be very careful when you agree to install anything. The best way – is to select a Custom, Advanced or Manual setup method. Here disable all third-party apps in which you are unsure or that causes even a slightest suspicion.

Threat Summary

Name	PromoteQueue, Promote Queue 1.0 app
Type	adware software, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop-up advertisements, pop-ups, pop up virus
Symptoms	unwanted advertisements appear on webpages that you are visiting you keep getting redirected to unfamiliar webpages unexpected programs installed without your consent new icons on your desktop unexpected changes in your internet browser like using a new default search provider speed test good but internet slow your web browser crashes
Removal	PromoteQueue removal guide

How to remove PromoteQueue adware

The answer is right here on this web page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will allow you easily to clean your MAC OS of PromoteQueue adware software. Moreover, you can select manual or automatic removal method. If you are familiar with the computer then use manual removal, otherwise use the free anti malware tool designed specifically to remove adware. Of course, you can combine both methods. Certain of the steps will require you to reboot your Apple Mac or exit this web page. So, read this guide carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove PromoteQueue, follow the steps below:

1. Remove profiles created by PromoteQueue
2. Delete PromoteQueue associated software by using the Finder
3. Remove PromoteQueue related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove PromoteQueue from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. To sum up

Remove profiles created by PromoteQueue

PromoteQueue can make changes to the Mac system such as malicious changes to browser settings, and the addition of malicious system profiles. You need to check the system preferences, find and remove malicious profiles and ensure your settings are as you expect.

Click Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, select Profiles. if there is no Profiles in the list of preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on the Mac. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile related to PromoteQueue.

To delete a malicious profile, click on the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen.

Delete PromoteQueue associated software by using the Finder

Some of browser hijackers, PUPs and adware can be removed using the Move to Trash utility which can be found in the Finder. So, if you are running any version of Apple Mac and you have noticed an unwanted program, then first try to get rid of it through the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

It will open a list of all applications installed on your Apple Mac. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall any questionable and unknown programs. Right click to dubious program and select “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the application from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove PromoteQueue related files and folders

Now you need to try to find PromoteQueue related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for PromoteQueue generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: macsearch.plist, PromoteQueue.plist, search.plist, installapp.plist and com.machelper.plist. Most often, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers and adware create several files with similar names.

Check for PromoteQueue generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folder. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

Check for PromoteQueue generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for PromoteQueue generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.PromoteQueue.plist, com.search.plist, com.machelper.plist, com.installapp.plist and com.macsearch.plist. In most cases, adware software, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you carefully followed the previous steps, then you should be able to get rid of PromoteQueue. Of course, very often browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs and adware hides on a Mac computer, disguising itself as legitimate apps and files. Therefore, in some cases, it is difficult for an inexperienced user to decide whether a particular file is part of PUPs, adware and browser hijackers. Therefore, we suggest you to run MalwareBytes to scan the Mac computer.

1. Please go to the link below to download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20850 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. Once the downloading process is complete, please close all software and open windows on your machine. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
3. The MalwareBytes Free will run and display the main window.
4. Further, click the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes tool will begin scanning the whole MAC to find out PromoteQueue adware. This procedure may take quite a while, so please be patient. While the utility is scanning, you can see count of objects and files has already scanned.
5. Once the scanning is complete, MalwareBytes Free will show a list of all items detected by the scan.
6. You may delete items (move to Quarantine) by simply press the “Remove Selected Items” button.
7. Close the Anti Malware and continue with the next step.

Remove PromoteQueue from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you have ‘PromoteQueue adware’ removal problem, then remove unwanted add-ons can help you. In the steps below we’ll show you the method to get rid of harmful plugins without reinstall. This will also allow to get rid of PromoteQueue adware software from your browser.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right hand corner, click on ‘three vertical dots’, and this will open up the main menu on Chrome. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to get rid of PromoteQueue adware by reset Google Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing issues with PromoteQueue adware removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

By installing an ad blocker application like AdGuard, you’re able to block malicious web sites, stop autoplaying video ads and remove a huge number of distracting and annoying ads on web-sites.

1. Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard on your Microsoft Windows Desktop from the link below.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3687 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. When the download is complete, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. After the installation is done, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you run your Apple Mac, AdGuard will run automatically and stop annoying ads, block malicious and misleading web-pages.

To sum up

Now your computer should be clean of the PromoteQueue adware. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your MAC system for new adwares and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop-up advertisements and harmful web sites). Moreover, to prevent any adware software, please stay clear of unknown and third party applications.

If you need more help with Promote Queue related issues, go to here.