What to do Before Removal- An Informed User is a Smart User

When suspicious component has been detected on your PC, ultimately the end user (you) must decide if they want to keep the component on their machine or remove it. We have provided a guide outlining as much as information that is known to our team about the component as well as places to get additional research on the program.

Before you remove the program you should consider the following list of questions:

How did the program get on your PC?

Unfortunately, this question is often difficult to answer. In some cases software is bundled with other applications in other cases rogue methods of installation that involve the use of security exploits are used. Along that vein it is common that one computer is shared among a group of users, like a family, and one person may have installed an application without your knowledge. If you do not recognize the program you should be suspicious and learn more about the application.

What can you learn about this program?

If you are not sure how the program came to be on your system use the included guide to help make an informed decision. Also doing basic research on search engines and forums can assist you in making a determination.

Can you remove this program manually?

The best course of action is to use the Windows Add and Remove functionality first. This is not always possible with some persistent adware and most spyware programs will make concerted attempts to evade removal. In that is the case use X-Cleaner to remove the program.

Do you use this program to monitor your children?
Did your boss install this to monitor you?

X-Cleaner detects and removes a wide array of key-loggers and monitoring programs that may have been installed with or without your knowledge. If you use this type of software as a security tool you should choose ignore and keep the program on your machine.

Do you own this machine?

If the machine on which the detection occurred on is not clearly your property (as in corporate environments, schools, etc) then you should refrain from removing anything, and contact the owner or system administrator.

Do you want the advertising software on your machine?

This is a personal decision that each user must make. In some cases adware programs have features that users want. For example it may provide you with points, cash-back or other incentives. If you wish to continue receiving these benefits you should keep the software on your machine.

Does the software perform a useful function for you?

Some software, like the Google Toolbar or the Alexa Toolbar can be useful and provide tangible value and convenience for users. As with any software there are often trade-offs that consumers make to have convenience. Again, as an informed user, you must read the agreement, understand the value proposition and make a decision if the trade-off is a good one.

Did you accept an agreement that requires advertising supported software?

Some software, often called adware, is required to be installed to make use of P2P or peer-to-peer networks. Sometimes this type of software may have been installed on your machine without your knowledge. In some cases you may have accepted an agreement to install this type of software. You are responsible for reading these agreements and understanding how they pertain to you and your computing environment. If you do not understand the license agreements from these companies contact them and ask for clarification before installing any software component.

If its your machine, its your call.

Any indication of a particular software component being "dangerous", "suspicious", "spyware", "adware" or the likes by our site or software, should not be seen as an objective fact, but merely as us stating a personal opinion. We strongly encourage everybody to make up their own mind on the validity of this claim.

In some rare cases removing a component can cause system conflicts. X-Cleaner tries to minimize these problems by performing a series of integrity checks before removal. In no event shall FaceTime Communications and/or its respective suppliers be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tortuous action, arising out or in connection with the use or performance of software. All software and site contents are subject to our disclaimer.