PUA:Win32/PcMechanic – Virus Removal Guide

When Microsoft Security Essentials or Windows Defender pop-ups a warning about the detection of PUA:Win32/PcMechanic, it means that the computer is infected with a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Normally, this is a detection for a rogue program titled PC Mechanic. However, the security application may also send an alert about PUA:Win32/PcMechanic infection if it identifies a program that has similar characteristics.

How does it infect the computer?

PUA:Win32/PcMechanic sneaks onto the computer via misleading techniques. Most of the infection cases involve the user’s initiative, and installation is voluntary after they were tricked by pop-up ads. In order to deceive users, malicious ads normally pop up on the computer masquerading as system alerts that detect numerous issues. Then, it advises downloading the tool, and this gives way for the rogue application to penetrate the computer. In other instances, the pop-up is purporting to be an online scanner. As usual, it identifies a non-existent threat to persuade users to download counterfeit software, leading to the infection of PUA:Win32/PcMechanic.

Files identified as PUA:Win32/PcMechanic is also embedded in different freeware, shareware, cracked programs, and serial key generators. Executing any of these virus carriers commonly yields to PUA:Win32/PcMechanic contamination. Therefore, staying away from these malicious sites and programs is one effective way to prevent rogue tools.

How does this malware operate?

Once the PUA:Win32/PcMechanic program is installed on the computer, it keeps producing alerts and warnings showing various issues and troubles detected during the scan. The recommendation to fix it with full urgency persistently appears on the screen. Obviously, PUA:Win32/PcMechanic is influencing computer users to obtain the full version, which requires payment.

As you can see, the motive of any program that is detected as PUA:Win32/PcMechanic is solely to swindle money from victims. Most of the identified troubles on the computer are non-existent, and these scare tactics are meant to compel computer users into purchasing the rogue application.

How to Remove PUA:Win32/PcMechanic

To totally remove PUA:Win32/PcMechanic from the computer and get rid of relevant viruses and trojans, please execute the procedures as stated on this page. Make sure that you have completely scanned the system with the suggested malware removal tools and virus scanners.

Instant Removal : Scan the computer with antivirus program

Combo Cleaner is a trusted computer security and optimization tool equipped with a powerful virus and malware detection engine. This program can get rid of computer virus like PUA:Win32/PcMechanic through this procedure.

1. Download the application from the following page:

2. Save the file to your preferred location.

3. Double-click the downloaded file CCSetup.exe and install with the default settings.

4. At the end of the setup process, click Finish to run Combo Cleaner.

5. The tool will update the database file; please wait for this process to complete.

6. To begin checking for threats like PUA:Win32/PcMechanic, click on the Start Scan button. Wait for this scan to finish.

Screenshot of Combo Cleaner PC

7. At the end of the scan process, click on Remove all threats to delete PUA:Win32/PcMechanic, including all harmful objects from the computer.

To fully optimize the features of antivirus and privacy scanners, users may have to upgrade to the premium version.

Please continue with the succeeding removal procedures if you are comfortable manually getting rid of the computer virus and malicious items linked to it.

Manual Removal : Steps to get rid of PUA:Win32/PcMechanic

The steps below will guide you to manually remove PUA:Win32/PcMechanic without having to purchase a recommended virus scanner. We have tested the procedures; hence, the attackers may make modifications overtime. As a result, terms, names, and images in the guide may differ from what users are seeing recently.

The procedure may require you to close the browser or restart the computer; therefore, we are suggesting to Boookmark or Print this page. You must be logged in to Windows with an Administrator account to be able to execute some of the tasks. Check here to know if you are currently using an account with Administrative rights. 

Step 1 : Start Windows in Safe Mode With Networking

The method of running Windows in Safe Mode before deleting files, ending system processes, and virus scanning is effective in getting rid of PUA:Win32/PcMechanic. This routine can prevent most viruses and malware from loading, making it easier to detect and remove them.

1. On the Windows Search bar, please type msconfig.

Screenshot of Win 11 Search

2. Select and open System Configutation on the list of found results.

3. Once you are in the System Configuration window, go to the Boot tab.

Screenshot of Msconfig Win 11

4. Under the Boot Options area, please check Safe Boot so that it starts in Safe Mode after restarting.

5. Next, select Network. This will allow Windows to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.

6. Lastly, click on Apply and OK to save the changes.

7. Please restart Windows. The system should run in Safe Mode after the reboot.

Do not forget to restore the normal boot process of Windows after this process. Simply repeat the method above, and this time, uncheck the Safe Boot option to run Windows normally.

Step 2 : Run Sophos Home Virus Scanner

To remove PUA:Win32/PcMechanic hidden files, scanning the computer with this powerful virus and malware removal tool is recommended. This scanner does not just uncover known threats like viruses or malware; it is also effective in discovering harmful files associated to PUA:Win32/PcMechanic.

1. Please click on the link below to download the program.

2. After downloading, locate the file SophosInstall.exe in the Downloads folder.

3. Install by double-clicking on the file.

4. If it prompts "Do you want to allow this app to make changes on your device?" please click Yes.

5. Next, it will display the Terms and Conditions page. Click the Install button to begin.

Screenshot of Terms by Sophos Home

6. Run the installation with the default settings. Please note that an internet connection is required in order to download important updates.

7. After finishing the installation, you must login to the dashboard. If you already have a Sophos account, please login. Otherwise, please enter your details and click on the Create Account button.

8. Once you are in the Sophos Home console, click the Scan button to start checking the computer for PUA:Win32/PcMechanic components.

Screenshot of Sophos Home

9. Scanning may take a while; please wait for this process to finish.

10. After scanning the computer, Sophos Home will start cleaning or deleting files infected with PUA:Win32/PcMechanic.

11. You may now close Sophos Home. The computer is now free from PUA:Win32/PcMechanic, as well as associated malware and viruses.

After executing the above instructions, PUA:Win32/PcMechanic should have been completely removed from the computer. If there are still signs of infection or the computer is displaying unusual behaviors, please continue with the remaining procedures.

Another alternative for Windows 10/11 users is to scan the computer with Microsoft Defender Offline. This will run a virus scan in the recovery environment.

Step 3 : Double Check with Windows Security Apps

Microsoft Windows has a built-in security application that you can use to double-check if your computer is still infected with PUA:Win32/PcMechanic. For Windows 10/11 users, please run Windows Security.

Windows 10 / 11 Instructions:

Windows Security is a free tool that was built to help you remove PUA:Win32/PcMechanic, viruses, and other malicious items from Windows 10/11 systems. Follow these procedures to scan your computer with the tool:

1. Tap or click the Search charm and search for Windows Security

2. Click Open to run the program.

Screenshot of Win 11 Search

3. On the Dashboard, click Virus and threat protection from the sidebar.

Screenshot of Win 11 Virus Protection

4. On the right panel, click on Scan Options to see different levels of checking the computer.

5. Next, please select Full Scan button.

Screenshot of Full Scan Win 11

6. Lastly, click on the Scan now button to start scanning for the presence of PUA:Win32/PcMechanic. The process may take a while to complete.

7. After the scan, Delete/Quarantine identified threats, whether they were relevant to PUA:Win32/PcMechanic or not. You may now restart Windows to complete the virus removal process.

For Windows 8.1 and Windows 7, you can scan the computer for free with the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT 64-Bit). It is a stand-alone virus scanner tool that targets prevalent malware groups.

System Compatibility Notice

Logo of Windows

We ensured that our method to get rid of PUA:Win32/PcMechanic is compatible with the majority of Microsoft operating systems (Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11). To prevent complicated steps, the commands used in the instructions are common, useful, and tested. If you encounter any compatibility problems when following this tutorial, please message us or leave your comment below, and we will reply and make the required modifications.

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