Remove Adware from Windows 11 or 10 (Step by Step Guide)

Removing adware on Windows is possible and can even be done for free with the help of various antivirus programs. In this guide, I explain how to effectively remove adware from your Windows computer.

Adware is a term that refers to software that displays unwanted advertisements on your Windows computer. The word 'adware' is a portmanteau of 'ad' (advertisement) and 'ware' (software).

Software that falls under the category of adware often exists in a twilight zone between legitimate software and malware. While not always malicious, adware can still be annoying and negatively impact the user experience.

Adware is usually distributed via free software downloadable from the Internet. During the installation or download process, adware is often presented as useful software or an 'offer' that would add extra functionalities to your computer or web browser. However, don't be fooled: the primary purpose of adware is to generate advertising revenue by displaying advertisements.

Adware developers often assume that users will install the offered software indiscriminately. Many computer users do not read the installation terms thoroughly and rush through the installation process. As a result, many Windows users unknowingly accept adware, only to discover that unwanted changes have been made, such as a new toolbar, or changes to the homepage or search engine.

Now that you have a clear idea of ​​what adware is, what it can do, and how it can get onto your system, let's get to the heart of the matter: how to detect and remove adware from your Windows computer.

Remove adware from Windows 11 or 10

Manual

Manually removing adware from the most commonly used browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Safari can be an effective way to improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy. Here are the steps for each of these browsers:

Google Chrome:

1. Go to the menu (three dots at the top right), choose 'Extensions' and then 'Extensions'. Remove all suspicious or unknown extensions.
2. Go to 'Settings', scroll down and click 'Reset settings'. At the bottom you will find the option 'Reset settings to their original defaults'. This can help undo changes made by adware.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click on the menu (three horizontal lines), choose 'Add-ons' and select 'Extensions'. Remove all suspicious or unknown add-ons.
2. Type in the address bar about:support and press Enter. Then click 'Refresh Firefox'. This will reset Firefox to its default settings.

Microsoft Edge:

1. Click on the menu (three dots), go to 'Extensions' and remove all suspicious or unknown extensions.
2. Go to 'Settings', choose 'Reset settings' and select 'Restore settings to their default values'.

Malwarebytes

To start immediately with an effective solution: Malwarebytes is an excellent application for removing adware from Windows 10.

Malwarebytes stands out as one of the few antivirus programs specifically aimed at detecting and eliminating unwanted software and adware. This focus results in impressive effectiveness in detecting and removing adware.

Using Malwarebytes to detect and remove adware is free. Every new user gets access to a fully functional 14-day trial period. After this trial period, Malwarebytes will automatically switch to the free version without requiring you to provide any payment information.

You can Instantly download Malwarebytes for free. To learn more about Malwarebytes' features and instructions on how to use it, read on.

After downloading Malwarebytes, you can install the program by following the steps in the installation process. Start a scan by clicking the 'Scan' button and follow the process. Technical knowledge is not required. Malwarebytes handles issues automatically and removes malware such as adware without further user intervention. Moreover, Malwarebytes is fully available in Dutch, which improves ease of use.

As you will notice, Malwarebytes is characterized by a simple and clear user interface. Although certain advanced features, such as protection against unwanted websites and ransomware, are exclusive to the premium paid version, the free version still offers essential basic functionalities. This includes effectively removing malware. This way you can protect your system against common threats without incurring any costs.

Recommended: Read more about Malwarebytes.

AdwCleaner

In addition to Malwarebytes, the same company also offers AdwCleaner, another free product specifically aimed at removing adware. While Malwarebytes is a more comprehensive application that tackles different types of malware, AdwCleaner focuses exclusively on detecting and eliminating adware.

Like Malwarebytes, AdwCleaner is free to use and provides the functionality to effectively remove adware from Windows 11 or 10.

You can download AdwCleaner from Malwarebytes official website: Malwarebytes.com.

Once downloaded, you can use AdwCleaner straight away; no installation process is required. However, an internet connection is required to download the most recent antivirus updates.

To remove the adware, simply click the 'Scan Now' button. AdwCleaner will then scan the system and identify and remove any adware present.

In addition to the scanning function, AdwCleaner also offers a 'Clean' option. This feature becomes active after completing a scan and allows you to remove all detected unwanted software at once. It is a fast and efficient way to clean your system.

For users who want more control, AdwCleaner also offers a 'Logs' section. Here you can view detailed reports of all scans and cleans that have been performed. This is useful for keeping track of what has been found and deleted on your system.

Finally, there is a 'Settings' section where you can adjust certain preferences. Here you can, for example, have AdwCleaner skip certain folders or files during scans, or have the program automatically check and download updates.

I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!