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"Advanced Mac Cleaner." How do I uninstall it?

I downloaded the most recent version of Adobe Reader onto my MacBook Pro OS X 10.8.5, and somehow "Advanced Mac Cleaner" installed itself also. It wants me to allow it to "clean" my computer - and I think if I were to check on that, it would charge me. I want to uninstall it. How?

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2013)

Posted on Sep 24, 2015 8:53 AM

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5 replies

Sep 24, 2015 9:23 AM in response to mhlamond

Then you may have a fake Adobe Reader or one carrying malware. Never respond to popups asking you to download directly. Always go to the vendor website.


Check the vendor website for Advanced Mac Cleaner and follow their removal instructions. Don't download one 3rd party utility in order to remove another 3rd party utility.


Then do the same with Reader and get a copy from Adobe.

Sep 24, 2015 10:46 AM in response to mhlamond

Never use "AppCleaner" or any other software that purports to remove other software.

You installed a fake "utility" called "Advanced Mac Cleaner." Like any software that purports to automatically "clean up" or "speed up" a Mac, it's a scam. To remove it, take the steps below. Some of the files listed may be absent. Back up all data before proceeding.

If you paid for the software with a credit card, consider reporting the charge to the bank as fraudulent.

Step 1

Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.pcv.hlpramc.plist

Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select

Services Reveal in Finder (or just Reveal)

from the contextual menu.* A folder should open with an item selected. Move the selected item to the Trash. Log out or restart the computer.

*If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. In the Finder, select

Go Go to Folder...

from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You may not see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.

Step 2

Move the following item to the Trash as in Step 1:

/Library/Application Support/amc

This time you may be prompted for your administrator login password. There's no need to log out after taking this step.

Step 3

Move this item to the Trash:

~/Library/AdvancedMacCleaner

Step 4

Open the Applications folder and move an item named "Advanced Mac Cleaner" (if it's present) to the Trash. Empty the Trash.

"Advanced Mac Cleaner." How do I uninstall it?

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