Windows Performance Catalyst

Windows Performance Catalyst is a fake security and PC optimization tool. It's a direct clone of about a dozen other programs out there including Windows Protection Master, Home Safety Essentials, Anti-Malware Lab, System Smart Security, PC Security Guardian, Best Malware Protection, Internet Security Essentials, Smart Internet Protection 2011, Personal Internet Security 2011, Personal Security Sentinel, Internet Antivirus 2011, Internet Security Suite and MANY OTHERS.

Most people who get infected with Windows Performance Catalyst were either tricked into installing the program or it was auto installed from a drive by download. In either case a good antivirus client should of detected and blocked the install. If your anti-virus client did not even warn you about this virus installing you should look at getting a replacement.

Windows Performance Catalyst

» Download Windows Performance Catalyst Removal Software

If infected by Windows Performance Catalyst then you should take necessary steps as soon as possible to remove Windows Performance Catalyst. There are both automatic and manual Windows Performance Catalyst removal procedures available which should help you out with this.

How to remove Windows Performance Catalyst: Automatic Removal

Online Windows Performance Catalyst Removal

Windows Performance Catalyst: Manual Removal procedure

In case of the manual removal procedure, at first you need to stop the following process(s):

• random.exe ( Every file is named different.)

You may find only one of these processes running in your machine. To stop the above mentioned process, you need to go to the file location and then have to re-name the file. After that, the computer has to be restarted and then you will have to browse to the file location and delete the file.

Once that is done, you will have to get rid of these files:

For Windows XP

• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Unique File Trace\
• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\

For Windows Vista / Windows 7

• C:\Users\YOUR USER NAME\AppData\Unique File Trace\
• C:\Users\YOUR USER NAME\AppData\

The above folders is where this threat seems to normally hide. A great way to help locate the threat is to browse to one of the above folders for your operating system. (Keep in mind the Application Data and App Data Folders are hidden. See Show Hidden Files and Folders for more info on this). Now sort the files by date. You should only see a few files from the day you were infected. From this information you should be able to determine which file is the virus one and re-name that file.

If you run into issues you should download and install Spyware Doctor with Antivirus. You May need to be in safe mode with networking to install it. (See how to boot into safe mode)

After the traces are removed, Windows Performance Catalyst should no longer be running in the machine. So now it is time to run a complete virus scan for your machine for which you can use Spyware Doctor with Antivirus. This should find out if you have cleaned all the Windows Performance Catalyst traces and whether any other threat is still available in the computer.Now in case the removal procedure looks too complicated for you, we recommend you to go to www.pcninja.com, to get expert help. They take care of things like these professionally and will cost you very little.

Windows Performance Catalyst Registry Removal Procedures

We do not recommend you go into the registry to attempt to remove any traces of this threat. There is really not a need once you kill off the main executable. If you are concerned about any registry entries we recommend you either download a registry cleaner like PC Health Advisor to clean up the Windows registry or just run a full virus scan using Spyware Doctor with Antivirus.

Conclusion

This virus is not all that bad. From our testings we did not see it stealing personal information or attempting to steal things like passwords for your online banking or social profiles. To be on the safe side you will want to run a full virus scan. One of the better Antivirus clients on the market is Spyware Doctor with Antivirus. We recommend you do a full scan using the free trial. www.pcninja.com is an online virus removal service that offers expert service to clean infected computers. They are great at what they do and based in the United Sates.

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