Paige Henley
Updated on: January 3, 2024
Short on time? Here’s how to remove PC Accelerate Pro:
- 1. Uninstall PC Accelerate Pro — If you don’t know how to uninstall programs, read my step-by-step instructions for removing programs from Windows 11, 10, and 8 devices.
- 2. Scan Your Device — Use a quality antivirus like Norton to run a full system scan and find any malware or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) on your computer.
- 3. Remove Any Malware or PUPs — Once the scan has completed, let your antivirus delete the malicious or potentially unwanted programs it discovered.
- 4. Stay Safe — To make sure you don’t fall victim to further infections, choose a premium internet security suite like Norton to keep you safe going forward. Norton has an advanced anti-malware engine, flawless malware detection rates, and great extras like anti-phishing, a password manager, and an unlimited VPN — plus it comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
PC Accelerate Pro is a fake optimization program that tricks users into buying a subscription, collects user information (including browsing history), and constantly shows annoying advertisements. It will scan your PC and notify you that it found ways to optimize your system — once you’ve purchased a subscription. But if you upgrade to a subscription and try to run these “powerful” optimizations, the program won’t actually do anything. Honestly, if you want a good and genuine optimization program, you should consider TotalAV.
PC Accelerate Pro is often packaged with a second potentially unwanted program (PUP) called Instant Support. Instant Support will show annoying pop-ups encouraging you to call a phone number. The phone number offers assistance in resolving “issues” on your PC. However, you should never call any phone number in pop-ups shown by Instant Support. Chances are you’ll be put through to a scammer who will try to gain remote access to your computer and install ransomware or other malicious files.
If you see PC Accelerate Pro or Instant Support, you’ve probably been infected by malware. You should download and install a comprehensive antivirus suite like Norton if you want to keep your device secure. A high-quality antivirus program like Norton can scan your entire disk for malicious programs like PC Accelerate Pro and protect you from future attacks using real-time protection.
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Preliminary Step: Uninstall PC Accelerate Pro & Instant Support
The steps to remove PC Accelerate Pro depend on the type of operating system you have. Click on your operating system to skip to the right step:
Windows 11
To remove PC Accelerate Pro from your Windows 11 computer, follow the below steps:
- Open the Settings app by clicking on the Start icon located in the middle of your screen (or by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard). In the search bar, type “Settings” and click on the corresponding search result.
- Click on Apps in the left-hand navigation menu of the Settings app, and then click Apps & features in the sub-menu.
- Scroll down your list of installed apps and locate PC Accelerate Pro. Click on it, and then click on the “Uninstall” button. Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
- After uninstalling PC Accelerate Pro, it’s recommended to remove any leftover files and registry entries to ensure it’s completely removed from your system. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerate Pro, and then delete the folder.
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type “regedit” and click OK. In the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PC Accelerate Pro and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PC Accelerate Pro.
- Right-click on the PC Accelerate Pro folder and click Delete. Confirm the deletion and close the Registry Editor.
- Restart your computer to ensure that any changes made during the uninstallation process are fully applied.
- Repeat this process for Instant Support.
You’ve now uninstalled PC Accelerate Pro and Instant Support from your computer, but there might be other malicious software on your system that you don’t know about. To address this, you should conduct a thorough system scan using a reliable antivirus program such as Norton. Here’s what you need to do.
Windows 10
Uninstalling both PC Accelerate Pro and Instant Support is easy using Windows 10’s built-in uninstaller, found in the “Settings” menu.
- Click on the Windows key in the bottom left corner of your desktop and click on the “Settings” button (gear icon).
- Click Apps and find PC Accelerate Pro on your list of installed apps. Click Uninstall. A pop-up/confirmation window will appear. Click Uninstall on this window and follow the uninstallation process. Repeat this process for Instant Support.
Once this is done, you’ve safely removed PC Accelerate Pro and Instant Support. However, since you accidentally installed them — there’s no way of knowing what other malware you have on your system. Next, you should run a full system scan using a comprehensive antivirus like Norton to ensure all traces of malware are removed. Here’s how.
Windows 8
On Windows 8, uninstalling PC Accelerate Pro is just as easy. You simply have to access the “Programs and Features” menu in your Control Panel by following these steps:
- From your desktop, press the start key on your keyboard to bring up Windows 8’s “Live Tile” view.
- Without pressing anything, type “Control Panel” into your keyboard. An icon for the Control Panel should appear on the right side of your screen.
- Click on it, and then, in the window that appears, click Uninstall a program.
- Clicking “Uninstall a Program” will bring up a list of all the installed apps on your PC. Scroll down the list until you see PC Accelerate Pro, click on it, and then click Uninstall.
- The process should only take a few minutes. Repeat the same steps for Instant Support.
Once this is done, you’ve safely removed PC Accelerate Pro and Instant Support. However, since you accidentally installed them — there’s no way of knowing what other malware you have on your system. Next, you should run a full system scan using a comprehensive antivirus like Norton to ensure all traces of malware are removed. Here’s how.
Step 1. Run a Full System Scan With Your Antivirus
Once you’ve uninstalled both PC Accelerate Pro and Instant Support, run a full system scan. Doing this is easy, but it’s important that there are no USB devices connected to your PC at this stage. This includes portable hard drives and memory sticks. That’s because malware can replicate itself onto any of these devices with ease.
Run the scan right through to completion — even if you see the infected file appear on the list. Doing this ensures you catch every instance of the malware, even if it has replicated.
The scan usually takes up to 4 hours since it has to go through your entire device. Your best bet is to schedule the scan overnight or during hours when you’re not using your computer. Eventually, when it’s finished, you’ll get a notification and a list of all infected files the virus scanner found.
Step 2. Delete Any Infected Files
Go through the list of infected files and delete any you know to be malware infections. Some of the listed files may be false positives. You can keep these if you want, but the safest option is to just remove them if you’re not sure. Antiviruses like Norton are really good at flagging files you don’t want to have on your device, so you can pretty much always rely on it.
When all infected files are removed, you need to restart your PC to end any malicious processes loaded into your computer’s memory. Once this is done, run your antivirus for a second time to make sure with 100% certainty all traces of malware are gone from your system (the second scan is usually quicker, so you don’t have to schedule it this time).
If more malware flags on the second scan, you need to remove it, restart your PC, and repeat the process. However, chances are that you are now malware-free. Either way, once the scan shows no infected files, you can move on to the next step.
The next step is securing your PC. You’ve seen just how easy it is to get a malware infection, and you know just how dangerous they can be first-hand. That’s why it’s super important you futureproof yourself, so you never have to experience a virus infection again. Here’s how.
Step 3. Keep Your Device Protected From Other Unwanted Programs
Unfortunately, it is all too easy to get malware on your PC. Therefore, it’s important to protect your device from it so that your privacy stays safe and your computer works efficiently. If you follow good cybersecurity habits, you can reduce your chances of getting malware, viruses, and other online dangers. Here are some ways you can avoid getting malware in 2024.
- Keep Your Software, OS, and Drivers Up-To-Date. To ensure that your devices are safe and secure, it is vital to keep your software, operating system, and drivers up to date. Cybercriminals usually exploit vulnerabilities in new software, but developers release updates to address these issues. It’s important to enable automatic updates whenever possible and check for new versions of your software, operating system, and drivers regularly. Staying on top of these updates ensures you’re always fully protected from new emerging threats.
- Avoid Downloading Suspicious Files. One of the most crucial things to keep in mind when browsing the internet is to avoid downloading suspicious files. Cybercriminals often hide malicious software in seemingly harmless files or links, which can harm your device and compromise your data. It’s essential to be cautious and only download files from trusted sources. Never click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown senders, and always verify the legitimacy of a website or source before downloading anything from it. By following these simple guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of downloading and installing malware on your device.
- Secure Your Wi-Fi Network and Internet of Things (IoT Devices). To secure your home Wi-Fi network, set a strong, secure password (you can use tools like Dashlane to help you do this). If you do this correctly, you should see a lock symbol next to your network’s name. Do the same with each of your IoT devices. Once done, try to avoid connecting to unsecured wireless networks, but if you really have to, first install a reliable VPN such as ExpressVPN. Open networks are dangerous, but a VPN will protect your data through an encrypted connection.
- Download a Reliable Antivirus Program. The best way to protect your PC is to use a reliable antivirus program that can find, remove, and prevent malware threats including trojans, ransomware, PUPs, and more. A good antivirus program will offer multiple scan options including a full system scan and real-time scanning to detect malware, a firewall, and automatic updates. Norton is a top choice since it has 100% detection rates, a full suite of security features, and great customer service.
3 Best Antivirus Programs for Removing PC Accelerate Pro
Quick summary of the best antiviruses for removing PC Accelerate Pro:
- 🥇 1. Norton — Best antivirus for removing PC Accelerate Pro.
- 🥈 2. Bitdefender — Lightweight antivirus with a great selection of features.
- 🥉 3. McAfee — Excellent web security and scanning capabilities.
🥇1. Norton — Best Antivirus for Removing PC Accelerate Pro
Approved by our experts
Norton is my favorite antivirus for removing PC Accelerate Pro in 2024. It has perfect malware detection rates, an impressive list of features, and great customer support. It also uses machine learning and an extensive malware database to protect you from viruses, trojans, rootkits, and more.
Aside from malware detection, Norton 360 offers a full suite of features including:
- VPN.
- Anti-phishing protection.
- Parental controls.
- Secure Browser.
- Password manager.
- Cloud backup.
- And more…
Norton is a great choice for removing PUPs like PC Accelerate Pro because of its effective range of scanning options. For example, its real-time scanning will constantly monitor for bad behaviors that indicate the presence of a PUP – like ad pop-ups, system slowdowns, and other suspicious activity.
The full system scan took about 40 minutes on my computer (which is slightly faster than Bitdefender’s 45 minutes), and it detected 100% of the malware on my computer, including PC Accelerate Pro. Norton also provides the option to schedule scans, which I found really helpful — I could scan my computer while I was doing other things.
Norton 360 also offers a wide range of additional features to enhance your computer’s security. For example, it comes with a built-in firewall that blocks unauthorized access to your computer, and a password manager to help you create and manage strong passwords. It also includes a VPN (virtual private network), which encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address, ensuring your online activities are private and secure.
I also found Norton to be very user-friendly. Its online dashboard is intuitive, easy to navigate, and very responsive. I could control every feature easily with just a few clicks, and I found myself going back to it more than the desktop app, which was a bit of a disappointment. Its functionality was poor, and I found it was really only useful for running scans.
Norton is pretty affordable, with its cheapest plan priced at $54.99 / year*. All of Norton 360’s plans are value-packed, with the Norton 360 Deluxe plan covering 5 devices, offering 50 GB of cloud storage, and including a privacy monitor.
Overall, Norton is my top pick for removing PC Accelerate Pro. It is user-friendly, 100% effective at catching PUPs and other malware, and has a 60-day money-back guarantee so you can try it for yourself risk-free.
🥈2. Bitdefender — Feature-Rich and Lightweight
Bitdefender is another strong choice for removing PC Accelerate Pro. It offers an incredible range of features (more than most competitors) and it’s priced affordably. Some of its top features include:
- Secure web browser.
- Parental controls.
- Anti-theft protection.
- Password manager.
- VPN.
- Cloud-based malware scanning.
- And more…
Bitdefender has a 100% malware detection rate just like Norton, meaning it’s highly effective at detecting and removing all types of malware, including PUPs. It offers several scanning options, including a quick scan, a system scan, and a custom scan. These scanning options allow you to chooe between scanning your computer quickly or thoroughly — depending on your needs.
Bitdefender’s desktop interface is super intuitive, making it easy for novice users to navigate. Additionally, Bitdefender offers excellent customer support, including 24/7 phone support, live chat, and email support. This ensures that you can get help quickly if you encounter any issues while using the software.
Bitdefender also offers a VPN that allows you to browse the internet securely and privately. The VPN encrypts your internet connection, preventing anyone from intercepting your data or tracking your online activity. This is especially important when browsing the internet on public Wi-Fi networks, where your data is more vulnerable to interception.
Overall, Bitdefender is an excellent choice for protecting your computer against PUPs like PC Accelerate Pro and other threats. Its 100% malware detection rate, user-friendliness, and range of security and privacy features make it a comprehensive and reliable antivirus solution. With its cheapest plan starting at only $17.49 / year, affordability is not an issue. And with its 30-day free trial along with a 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans, you can try it out risk-free.
Read the full Bitdefender review
🥉3. McAfee — Excellent Web Security and Scanning Capabilities
McAfee Total Protection is a popular antivirus with excellent web security and a good selection of features. Its robust malware detection scored a perfect 100% detection rate when I ran it on my computer: it found and removed all malware on my device and alerted me to system vulnerabilities, including PC Accelerate Pro. However, my system performance did slow down during the scan, which wasn’t an issue with Norton or Bitdefender.
McAfee’s suite of security features includes:
- Malware protection.
- Identity theft monitoring.
- Performance optimization tool.
- Password manager.
- Vulnerability scanner.
- And more…
McAfee is fairly easy to use and offers mobile apps for Android and iOS as well as a well-designed user interface. However, most features are only accessible via the sidebar, which is a bit confusing for beginners compared to Bitdefender’s large home screen buttons.
Its web protections are robust, with multiple useful security features such as anti-phishing protection and fake/dangerous website color coding (like Norton) that even applies to social media posts and links. There’s also real-time alerts while you search the web.
McAfee subscriptions start at $39.99 / year for the Plus plan. However, McAfee Premium plan is my favorite since it covers 10 devices and also offers parental controls. A 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to try out McAfee’s protections with zero risk – you can get a refund if you decide it isn’t the antivirus for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trust PC Accelerate Pro?
You can’t trust PC Accelerate Pro. PC Accelerate Pro is a scam program that doesn’t do anything to optimize CPU performance — it just wants to deceive users into buying its premium version (which is useless).
If you’re looking for a trustworthy PC optimizer, I recommend TotalAV — it comes with reliable and helpful PC tune-up features.
If you’ve accidentally downloaded PC Accelerate Pro, it’s important that you remove it from your system as soon as possible. Follow my simple steps to uninstall PC Accelerate Pro and make sure your device doesn’t have any other malware or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).
Is PC Accelerate Pro a virus?
Though PC Accelerate Pro isn’t technically a virus, it is a PUP (potentially unwanted program), which is a type of malware. PUPs mislead users, possibly leading to financial scams, data breaches, or even the deployment of more dangerous malware. To safeguard your data and computer, steer clear of such programs.
PUPs are usually installed as bundleware with free and pirated software. If you have PC Accelerate Pro installed on your computer, then chances are you have other malware installed, too (including viruses). If in doubt, you should download and install a comprehensive antivirus scanner and follow our steps to scan and secure your PC.
PUPs like PC Accelerate Pro are often gateways to more malicious infections, such as trojans, worms, rootkits, and spyware. To avoid any of these getting onto your PC, you should always have an antivirus suite running when you browse the web, and you should avoid downloading software from untrustworthy sites (in particular, websites that host pirated content).
How do I get rid of PC Accelerate Pro?
Should you discover PC Accelerate Pro on your computer, it’s crucial to remove it instantly. This can be done swiftly via the Settings menu on Windows 11 and 10 or the Control Panel on Windows 8. Also, note that PC Accelerate Pro frequently comes packaged with another unwanted program, Instant Support, which you should get rid of as well.
It’s important to do a full-disk scan after you uninstall the software. I recommend an antivirus program such as Norton. Once you’ve downloaded and installed an antivirus program, follow these steps to thoroughly remove PC Accelerate Pro and execute a scan.
