Article by George Norman

On 15 Feb 2010

Wind Optimizer is scareware that hides under the guise of a genuine, legitimate Windows optimization software. To be more precise, Wind Optimizer claims to be able to make your Windows operating system work better by deleting certain files – like temp files, invalid shortcuts, windows update backups, log files, cookies and so on. Unfortunately Wind Optimizer is a rogue and consequently cannot do any of the things it brags about.

Here is what Wind Optimizer will do:

• It will automatically run at startup. Each time you boot up your computer you will be greeted by Wind Optimizer, who asks you to perform a system scan. Even more annoying is that Wind Optimizer keeps running in the background as you go about your day. This eats up system resources, causing your computer to act sluggish.
• The system scans performed by Wind Optimizer detect all sorts of made-up problems.
• Wind Optimizer asks you to purchase a license in order to address all the problems detected by the system scan. As in pay with your hard earned money for a fake Windows optimization software that will address a bunch of made-up problems. If this is not a scam, then I don’t know what is.
  

Automatic removal guide
Step 1. If you have a printer, make sure to print out this tutorial. If you do not have a printer, save this tutorial, go out to a copy center and print it out there. If you do not have a printer and do not want to go out, then use the pen and paper method: grab a pen and a piece of paper and write down the instruction presented in the steps below. In the process of eliminating Wind Optimizer from your machine you will need to shut down the browser. And since this will also shut down the tutorial, you need to know what you should do next.

Step 2. You will have to install Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware. In this regard you need to download the software’s setup executable. Just click this link and save the .exe file on your computer (preferably on your desktop).

Step 3. Double click the Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware setup executable. It should be on the desktop under the name mbam-setup. This will launch the installation process. If you already know how to install a piece of software, proceed to step 4. If you do not know how to do this, we’ll walk you though it all:



- The Select Setup Language window should have popped up. By default, the language in which the software will be installed is set to English, but you can change this. The software provides support for 30+ languages. After selecting the language of your choice, click OK. It would be best to just leave it set to English though.



- The Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware Setup Wizard will now popup. Just click Next.



- You will be presented with the License Agreement. Click I accept the agreement and then click Next. If you do not accept the agreement you will not be able to continue.



- Keep clicking Next until you get to the Ready to install window. Now click Install. After the installation process completes click Finish. Do not uncheck the boxes next to Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware or Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware.















Step 4. The Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware application will launch automatically. The Perform quick scan option should be checked by default – if it isn’t then check it and then click Scan. You are well advised to close all running apps before clicking scan. This will ensure the scan for Wind Optimizer will complete swiftly.



Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will start scanning your files for signs of Wind Optimizer. This may take a while, so be patient. It all depends on how powerful your computer is and how many files Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware has to scan.



When the scan for Wind Optimizer is complete you will be presented with a notification box. Click OK to close the notification box and go to the main Scanner screen. Click Show Results and you will be presented with a list of all the infected files Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware has detected.





Step 5. Click Remove Selected and Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will remove all the infected files it has detected. It may be necessary to restart your computer in order to remove some of these files. After Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware is done removing all the infected files, it will open Notepad and present the scan log to you. You can review the log at your leisure – save it If you want.



Step 6. Close Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware and you’re done. No traces of Wind Optimizer should be left on your computer.

Manual removal guide

Stop and remove the processes:



Access the Windows Registry Editor and delete the following registry keys:



Locate and delete the following files:



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