What Is PC Accelerate Pro and How To Remove It

PC Accelerate Pro found its way to your computer, and you want to remove it before it causes any more problems. Unwanted pop-ups asking for money on a useless program are annoying, especially when combined with slower computer performance.

Let's look at how PC Accelerate Pro works and the options you have to remove it from your computer, including the best malware removal options.

PC Accelerate Pro explained

While PC Accelerate Pro isn’t a computer virus, it is a nuisance that doesn't improve your computer experience as claimed. PC Accelerate Pro advertises itself as a PC optimization program that will help your computer perform better. However, it doesn't actually do anything to improve your PC performance.

Instead, PC Accelerate Pro uses manipulative sales tactics to persuade people to purchase a premium subscription. It scans your PC and then uses intentional false positives to make it appear that your device has viruses. Then, it offers to remove them for you, but only if you purchase a paid version of its software. The paid subscription is useless at actually removing viruses.

PC Accelerate Pro is a potentially unwanted program (PUP), akin to a type of malware. PUPs are sometimes harmless, but they often mislead users into buying unnecessary products or having their online activity tracked. Another issue is PUPs can often take up a significant amount of disk space and consequently slow down your computer.

How PC Accelerate Pro spreads

PC Accelerate Pro is often downloaded as part of a bundle with other software. Some software doesn't share exactly what you’re downloading, and malicious software like PC Accelerate Pro is installed on your computer instead.

Another method is downloading something illegal, like pirated games. Sometimes PUPs like PC Accelerate Pro are secretly installed along with pirated software.

The threat of unknowingly downloading malware is why users should avoid downloading illegal content or unvetted software programs.

How to remove PC Accelerate Pro with an antivirus

Antivirus software is often needed to remove PC Accelerate Pro. Many users face a problem when trying to uninstall PC Accelerate Pro because the program often hides under a different name. That makes it necessary to use antivirus software to discover the unwanted program and remove it from your device.

Here are general instructions on how to use antivirus software to remove PUPs like PC Accelerate Pro.

1. Install a reliable antivirus program. (We have recommendations below.)
2. Do a full scan. A quick scan may find PC Accelerate Pro, but a full scan will ensure your entire system is checked for viruses. For some programs, a full scan may take at least one hour, so be sure to prepare adequately for the time commitment.
3. Delete any found threats.
4. Restart your computer.
5. Conduct another scan to ensure all threats were successfully removed.

Your antivirus software should have removed all potential threats and PUPs after scanning your device and removing the infected files. The next step is to secure your computer to prevent similar issues from happening again.

How to remove PC Accelerate Pro manually

It's possible to remove PC Accelerate Pro manually without using an antivirus program. It can be a bit more time-consuming and technical, but a thorough, manual removal might help eliminate every last bit of the infected files.

Let's go over the step-by-step directions on removing PC Accelerate Pro manually on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

How to remove PC Accelerate Pro on Windows 11

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Click on Apps and then select Apps & features.
3. Scroll through the app list and identify any unknown or suspicious programs.
4. Click on the three vertical dots to the right of the suspicious program.
5. Choose Uninstall.
6. Follow the instructions to delete the unwanted files.

How to remove PC Accelerate Pro on Windows 10

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Click on Apps. It should open Apps & features by default.
3. Scroll through the app list and identify any unknown or suspicious programs.
4. Select the suspicious program.
5. Choose Uninstall.
6. Follow the instructions to delete the unwanted files.

If you're going to attempt to manually remove malware or PUPs like PC Accelerate Pro, here are a few tips to help the process.

• To avoid detection, PC Accelerate Pro may be operating under a different file name. If any files look unfamiliar, they may be the ones causing issues.
• Consider looking at files around the date you downloaded other programs since PC Accelerate Pro may have been bundled with it.
• Look for files that seem to take up a lot of space or CPU. It's probably the PUP or other malicious files.
• You may still want to run a scan from an antivirus program to ensure no other malicious files are hiding on your computer.

Best antivirus programs for removing PC Accelerate Pro

Several antivirus programs can target and remove malware, but some of the best antivirus software stands out. We recommend these three trusted antivirus software for removing PUPs like PC Accelerate Pro.

• Bitdefender: Our top pick for the best antivirus for Windows is Bitdefender. It has reliable security features to protect your device from malware, including spyware and adware. Third-party tests confirm very few false positives, making it a great option for an antivirus program.

  Get Bitdefender | Read Our Bitdefender Review

• McAfee: McAfee's plans cover unlimited devices, which makes it ideal for large households. The Windows app is easy to use and can quickly scan your computer for malicious files. It also comes with additional features like parental control and a file shredder.

  Get McAfee | Read Our McAfee Review

• Malwarebytes: Malwarebytes is aware of PUPs like PC Accelerate Pro, and its software can spot and remove them from your device. It has a regularly updated database of security threats. Malwarebytes has a free version for manual scans, which makes it ideal for budget-conscious users.

  Read Our Malwarebytes Review

Tips to avoid PUPs and malware

Avoiding PUPs and malware can save you the headache of figuring out how to remove them from your computer. Luckily, you don't need to be a tech genius to successfully avoid computer threats.

Here are a few easy tips to stay safe online:

Verify software before downloading

Users should only download software from trusted sources. Likewise, you should try to avoid dodgy websites so you won’t download adware or other malicious software.

Keep your computer and software updated

Developers frequently update their operating systems and apps to fight the latest cyber security threats. Ensure your computer system is set up to install updates automatically.

Avoid pirated software and downloads

Downloading a free game or movie might sound great for your wallet, but you could also unintentionally install malware on your device. There's no security protection from pirated content, so it's risky to download it.

Read the fine print before installing

PUPs like PC Accelerate Pro and Wave Browser are often bundled with other software you consent to download. You may want to pay attention during installation to verify that you only download what you want to install.

Be cautious with email attachments and links

Email scams are abundant. Simply clicking on a link or downloading an email attachment is enough to install malware on your computer, putting you at risk of identity theft. Don't interact with the email if you don't recognize the sender.

Use antivirus software

Antivirus software can routinely scan your computer to ensure no malicious files are present. It may be able to notice potential issues before you can.

Following these tips can help reduce the risk of malicious files infecting your computer.

PC Accelerate Pro FAQs

Bottom line

PC Accelerate Pro is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that’s difficult to remove since it often hides under a different file name. It's not necessarily a virus, but it can become a nuisance.

While you can manually look through your files and apps to try to find and delete the PUP, you may find it easier to install a trusted antivirus program to scan your device. Antivirus security can detect suspicious files and help remove them from your computer. Bitdefender and McAfee are two of the best malware removal options since they offer reliable programs that detect security threats.

Once you've removed PC Accelerate Pro from your computer, you can take the next steps to secure your device.

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Author Details

Sara J. Nguyen

About the Author

Sara J. Nguyen is a freelance writer specializing in cybersecurity. She aims to help people protect their data while enjoying technology. She has written about online privacy and tech for over 5 years for several organizations. When she's not writing about the latest cybersecurity trends, you can find her on LinkedIn.