What is Netutils?
Netutils is a typical example of a potentially unwanted application and an adware. Though, it is not a virus and cannot do harm to a system directly, it is still able to ruin any browsing session. Programs like this one are being created for spying and collecting information, and promoting questionable services and sources. Netutils specializes in displaying ads that usually present offers on discounts, system scanners, online tech support, etc. No need to say that none of these are real – after clicking such pop-up, banner or link, you will be redirected to a site with more ads, or a shady source that will offer you to download a dubious application. If you noticed such commercials and offers in your browser and want to get rid of them, you need to remove Netutuls adware as the root of the problems.
How Netutils got installed on your computer?
There is no doubt that system is more vulnerable to infections of all kinds if it doesn’t have a proper protection of security applications, like antivirus and anti-malware programs. Thus you need to have both running and up-to-date to decrease the chance of threats infiltration. However, it is only a part of measures that you need to take to barrier your PC – the other part is you and your behaviour on the Internet. You should learn how to detect malicious applications on your own, too. Remember that mostly adware programs are transferred by the cover of software packages, so pay extra attention when performing a setup offering to install additional ‘useful’ utilities. You can opt out them if you choose Advanced or Custom installation mode and then simply deselect the items you find dangerous.
Symptoms of Netutils infection
- First and the most striking proof of what you have an adware is ads generated on pages where they haven’t appeared before. The ads can be of any type – pop-ups, in-text hyperlinks, banners and their amount increases on shopping sites. Some of them may be labeled as “Ads by Netutils”, “Brought by Netutils”, “Powered by Netutils”, etc.
- Another indicator of adware infection is appearance of new programs that you don’t remember installing and processes in start-up queue.
- Also, you may notice the significant slowdown in the system operating, since running of the applications required for adware activity may consume a lot of CPU.
- Besides slowing down the computer itself, adware infection may as well negatively affect the speed of Internet connection.
How to remove Netutils?
To make sure that the adware won’t appear again, you need to delete Netutils completely. For this you need to remove the application from the Control Panel and then check the drives for such leftovers as Netutils files and registry entries.
We should warn you that performing some of the steps may require above-average skills, so if you don’t feel experienced enough, you may apply to automatic removal tool.
Performing an antimalware scan with Norton would automatically search out and delete all elements related to Netutils. It is not only the easiest way to eliminate Netutils, but also the safest and most assuring one.
Steps of Netutils manual removal
Uninstall Netutils from Control Panel
As it was stated before, more likely that the adware appeared on your system brought by other software. So, to get rid of Netutils you need to call to memory what you have installed recently.
How to remove Netutils from Windows XP
- Click the Start button and open Control Panel
- Go to Add or Remove Programs
- Find the application related to Netutils and click Uninstall
How to remove Netutils from Windows 7/Vista
- Click the Start button and open Control Panel
- Go to Uninstall Program
- Find the application related to Netutils and click Uninstall
How to remove Netutils from Windows 8/8.1
- Right-click the menu icon in left bottom corner
- Choose Control Panel
- Select the Uninstall Program line
- Uninstall the application related to Netutils
How to remove Netutils from Windows 10
- Press Win+X to open Windows Power menu
- Click Control Panel
- Choose Uninstall a Program
- Select the application related to Netutils and remove it
If you experience problems with removing Netutils from Control Panel: there is no such title on the list, or you receive an error preventing you from deleting the application, see the article dedicated to this issue.
Read what to do if program won’t uninstall from Control Panel
Remove Netutils from browsers
Since most of adware threats use a disguise of a browser add-on, you will need to check the list of extensions/add-ons in your browser.
How to remove Netutils from Google Chrome
- Start Google Chrome
- Click on Tools, then go to the Extensions
- Delete Netutils or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove Netutils from Internet Explorer
- Launch Internet Explorer
- Click on the Tools/Gear icon, then select Manage Add-ons
- Delete Netutils or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove Netutils from Mozilla Firefox
- Start Mozilla Firefox
- Click on the right-upper corner button
- Click Add-ons, then go to Extensions
- Delete Netutils or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove Netutils from Microsoft Edge
- Start Microsoft Edge
- Click the three-dot button in the upper right corner
- Choose Extensions
- Click the gear icon near Netutils or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
- Choose Remove
Remove files and registry entries added by Netutils
Sometimes removal via Control Panel is not enough since the built-in application can leave some files that shortly will restore the adware. So, you need to find all of the following items and delete them.
Remove Netutils files and folders:
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\NetUtils2016.sys
C:\Windows\System32\NetUtils2016.dll
Remove Netutils registry entries:
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\NetUtils2016
If the above-mentioned methods didn’t help in eliminating the threat, then it’s better to rely on an automatic way of deleting Netutils.
We also recommend to download and use Norton to scan the system after Netutils removal to make sure that it is completely gone. The antimalware application will detect any vicious components left among system files and registry entries that can recover Netutils.
