Removing RegSweep
RegSweep registry cleaning application is scam
software lurking around the Internet. This rogue application styles itself
as a competent registry cleaner but is a clone of many other renegade
applications prowling the Internet. RegSweep infiltrates your system either
through Trojans - such as Vundo or Zlob - by using the weaknesses in your
system’s security, or when you download it directly from its website
thinking it to be a genuine application.
After your system is infected by RegSweep, it
falls into the pattern of most rogue applications by displaying fake scan
reports, false error messages, and scary system warning alerts. The fake
warnings and threats are such that you are ‘urged’ into purchasing their
paid ‘licensed’ version to rid your PC of these threats – as it is the only
application that can do so. However, you need to act as a vigilant user.
Never download this application, and if your system has already been
infiltrated by it, get it removed at the earliest. Do not, however, purchase
its ‘licensed’ version, under any circumstances, as it will not help.
Your system may be further exposed to other
malware, spyware and adware.
There are many genuine anti-spyware
applications available online that you can use to rid your system of this
fake application. Our team of technical experts recommends you do so. It is
possible to remove RegSweep from your system manually, as well, but we
advise against this. You may be computer savvy but a single mistake can
cause further damage to your system. You may not be able to remove all
traces of this fake application manually, as it has many hidden files that
may possibly reactivate themselves later.
If you are part of a network of computers
sharing the same server, say in your place of work, you can possibly get
infected if someone else in your network downloads RegSweep. Along with
RegSweep, you may be infected by various viruses, as well.
Removing RegSweep Manually
If you choose to remove RegSweep manually, you
will need to remove, step by step, each and every related file, folder, and
entry from the registry of your PC. It is a cumbersome process where things
can go wrong, and do at times.
Step 1: Uninstall RegSweep
Follow the steps listed below:
-
Click the ‘Start’ button.
-
Point to ‘Settings’ and then click the ‘Control Panel’ command.
-
Look for ‘Add or Remove Programs’ and double click on it.
-
A list of programs will be displayed. Look for RegSweep and select
it.
-
Next, click on ‘Remove’ to launch the uninstall wizard.
-
Follow the screen instructions to complete the RegSweep
uninstallation process.
Step 2: Delete RegSweep Files and Folders
When infected, your system will have many
files and folders related to RegSweep. You need to remove these next.
-
Again click ‘Start’
-
Point your cursor to ‘Search’
-
Click on ‘For files or Folders’
-
In the Search Results window, search for RegSweep files and folders.
Some of the
commonly found RegSweep files are:
·
RegCleaner.dll
·
zlib.dll
·
TCL.dll
There may be other files as well, and some may
be hidden files. To display these files, you need to change the Windows
Explorer settings to display hidden files and folders. Once you detect
RegSweep files, select and right-click on all of them and then click
‘Delete’ to get rid of them. Click ‘Yes’ to confirm your decision.
Step 3: Stop RegSweep Processes.
You next need to stop all RegSweep processes
running on your computer system. You can do this by using Task Manager
available in Windows. To open Task Manager press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete or
Ctrl + Shift + Esc key combination.
Once the Task Manager opens, display the
‘Processes’ tab. Look for all RegSweep files in the list. The files will
look like:
·
Regsweep.exe
·
setupxv[1].exe
·
RegSweep.exe
Search for other process files related to RegSweep,
right-click on them individually, and then click on ‘End Process’ to stop or
kill them.
Step 4: Delete
RegSweep Registry Entries
As a Windows user, you must be aware that the registry
is a powerhouse of data and other information required to run your Windows
computer. All your system preferences; your user settings; and configuration
data about the software and hardware on your computer is stored in this
database. This information controls how your PC boots up, what programs get
loaded at start up and how your PC behaves when it is operational.
In the same way, all file references related to
RegSweep, including those of the accompanying malware, spyware and adware
are added to the registry. All rogue references related to RegSweep and
other malicious information present in the registry run along with your
genuine references at every startup. So, your next step will be to identify
these malicious entries and delete them. You can do this by performing the
steps listed below:
Warning: Remember to make a
backup of registry before making any changes to it. A backup ensures that
you can revert your changes is something goes wrong with your registry
edits.
1.
Click ‘Start’.
2.
Next, click ‘Run’.
3.
Type ‘regedit’ in the ‘Open’ box.
4.
Click ‘OK’.
The Registry Editor window that opens consists of two panes. Registry
keys are listed in the left pane and on clicking on any key, its
corresponding value is displayed in the right pane. To delete RegSweep
entries, navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\RegSweep
Identify all entries related to RegSweep and ‘delete’ them individually.
On being asked to reconfirm deletion, click ‘Yes’ to remove them.
To be sure that your registry is wiped clean, you may obtain a genuine
registry tool, such as Registry Easy or Registry Fix to perform a scan of
your registry and wipe it clean to get rid of all types of malicious
information.
This should be the end of RegSweep on your system, but there is no
guarantee that all traces have been removed.
Manually removing any rogue application, including RegSweep, is not an
easy task, as many steps are involved. The above steps are general and may
vary according to the Windows operating system installed on your PC.
Our technical team recommends that you should not try the manual method
unless you are a technical expert yourself. It is best that you use a good
and genuine anti-spyware application and a good registry cleaner tool to
remove RegSweep from your system.
You take the call on this.
Useful Links:
http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=37661
http://www.pcthreat.com/parasitebyid-7146en.html
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