If your antivirus detects Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ then it indicates that your computer is infected with a potentially unwanted program (PUP). The unwanted software usually come with some freeware or from malicious websites that ask users to download and run a Flash Player or Java update. Once started, the Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ will be configured to start automatically when Windows starts. The unwanted software alters the Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer and MS Edge settings to display a huge number of unwanted popup ads on all web pages, including web pages where previously you advertisements have never seen. These ads can be varied: pop-up windows, boxes, in-text ads, different sized banners and so on. What is more, the ‘ad-supported’ software like Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ can cause your Internet connection to be slow or freeze your web browser so that the interface is not updated anymore.
We suggest you to remove Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ ASAP, until the presence of the unwanted program has not led to even worse consequences. You need to follow the step-by-step guide below that will allow you to completely get rid of unwanted software using only the built-in Windows features and a few of free malware removal tools.
Common symptoms of Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ
If you still are not sure that your computer is infected with this parasite, then check your computer for the common symptoms of the infection:
- Your browser displays banner ads where previously you have never seen.
- Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Internet Explorer (Edge) shows a lot of annoying advertisements.
- Web browser’s settings such as homepage and default search engine are hijacked
- Your an antivirus or antispyware software detects an infection.
- Internet connection may be slow.
How does Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ get installed onto computer
The unwanted programs actively distributed with free applications, as a part of the installer of the software. Therefore, it is very important, when installing an unknown software even downloaded from known or big hosting web site, read the Terms of use and the Software license, as well as to select the Manual, Advanced or Custom install mode. In this mode, you can disable the installation of unneeded modules and applications and protect your personal computer from the adware and PUP infection.
How to remove Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ
Without a doubt, the unwanted software is harmful to your system. So you need to quickly and completely get rid of this dangerous software. To remove potentially unwanted programs you need to follow the removal steps which are given below.
- Delete suspicious and unknown software by using Windows Control Panel
- Scan your computer with MalwareBytes Anti-malware
- Scan your computer with AdwCleaner
- Scan your computer with Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool
- Disinfect browser’s shortcuts
- Reset web-browser’s settings
- Protect your computer from annoying ads and malicious sites
Delete suspicious and unknown software by using Windows Control Panel
First, you should try to find and uninstall a program that causes the appearance of unwanted ads and redirect to unwanted sites, using the ‘Uninstall a program’ console which is located in the ‘Control panel’.
Windows 8, 8.1, 10
, then click Search 
. Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter as on the image below. 
When the ‘Control Panel’ opens, click the ‘Uninstall a program’ under Programs category as shown on the screen below. 
You will see the ‘Uninstall a program’ panel as on the image below. 
Very carefully look around the entire list of installed software. If you have many programs installed, you can help simplify the search of malicious applications by sort the list by date of installation. Once you have found a suspicious, unwanted or unused program, right click to it and press ‘Uninstall’.
Windows XP, Vista, 7
When the Windows ‘Control Panel’ opens, you need to click ‘Uninstall a program’ under ‘Programs’ as shown in the following image. 
You will see a list of software installed on your system. We recommend to sort the list by date of installation to quickly find the programs that were installed last. If you are in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing. When the application, you need to remove, is found, simply click on its name, and then click ‘Uninstall’ as shown on the image below. 
Scan your computer with MalwareBytes
You can delete Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ automatically with a help of Malwarebytes Free. We recommend this free malware removal utility because it can easily remove adware, browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs and toolbars with all their components such as files, folders and registry entries.
Download Malwarebytes Free on your computer from the link below. Save it on your Desktop.
326385 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once the download is finished, close all windows on your computer. Further, launch the file named mb3-setup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as shown in the figure below, press the Yes button.
It will display the “Setup wizard” that will help you install Malwarebytes on the computer. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once the setup is finished successfully, click Finish button. Then Malwarebytes will automatically start and you can see its main window as shown on the image below.
Next, click the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan for the Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ and other malware and adware. When a threat is found, the number of the detected objects will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is complete. Please be patient.
Once the system scan is done, you can check all threats detected on your personal computer. Make sure all entries have “checkmark” and press “Quarantine Selected” button.
The Malwarebytes will begin removing malware and adware. When the disinfection is finished, you may be prompted to reboot your machine. I recommend you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the Malwarebytes to remove adware and other dangerous applications.
Scan your computer with AdwCleaner
If MalwareBytes cannot remove the Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ unwanted software, then we suggests to use the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal tool for ad-supported software, browser hijackers, PUPs and toolbars.
Download AdwCleaner by clicking on the link below.
225261 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024
Once the downloading process is done, open the file location. Double click the AdwCleaner icon. Once this tool is launched, you will see a screen such as below.
Now, press the “Scan” button . This will start scanning the whole computer to find out malicious extensions, ‘ad-supported’ software and Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ. Once the system scan is complete, it will display a scan report as shown below.
Review the report and then click “Clean” button. It will show a prompt. Click “OK”. When the cleaning process is done, AdwCleaner may ask you to restart your personal computer.
Look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the AdwCleaner to remove ‘ad-supported’ software, browser hijackers and other malicious software.
Scan your computer with Kaspersky virus removal tool
Kaspersky virus removal tool is a well-known free security tool. It uses the Kaspersky Anti-Virus engine to detect and remove viruses, trojans and malware.
- Download Kaspersky virus removal tool from the following link and save it directly to your Windows Desktop.
Kaspersky virus removal tool
129056 downloads
Author: Kaspersky® lab
Category: Security tools
Update: March 5, 2018
- Double-click on the KVRT icon found on your desktop. Once initialization process is finished, you will see the Kaspersky virus removal tool screen.
- Click Change Parameters and set a check near all your drives. Click OK to close the Parameters window.
- Press Start scan button. Kaspersky virus removal tool will now start scanning your computer for known infections. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient.
- When KVRT has finished scanning, click on Continue to start a cleaning process.
Disinfect browser’s shortcuts
The Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ may also change a desktop shortcut for Chrome, Firefox and IE. Due to this, every time you start the browser, it will open an unwanted web-site.
Right click on the browser’s shortcut, click Properties option. On the Shortcut tab, locate the Target field. Click inside, you will see a vertical line – arrow pointer, move it (using -> arrow key on your keyboard) to the right as possible. You will see a text which starts with “http://”. Remove it or everything after .exe. An example, for Google Chrome you should remove everything after chrome.exe.
Next, click OK to save changes. You need to clean all web browser’s shortcuts. So, repeat this step for the Chrome, IE, Mozilla Firefox and Edge.
Reset web-browser’s settings
Chrome
Open the Google Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (
). It opens the drop-down menu. Next, click the “Settings” option.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Show advanced settings” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, as shown on the screen below and click the “Reset settings” button.
Confirm your action, press the “Reset” button.
Firefox
If the FF settings have been changed by the unwanted software, then resetting it to the default state can help you to get rid of unwanted ads and redirects.
First, start the FF and click button. It will display the drop-down menu on the right-part of the internet browser. Next, press the Help button (
) like below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the web browser address bar and press Enter. It will open the “Troubleshooting Information” page like below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will display the confirmation prompt, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The FF will start a process to fix your problems that caused by an unwanted program. Once it’s finished, press the “Finish” button
Internet Explorer
Open the Internet Explorer tools menu by clicking on the button in the form of gear (
). It opens the drop-down menu. Click on the Internet Options.
In the Internet Options window click on the Advanced tab, then click the Reset button. The Internet Explorer will show the Reset Internet Explorer settings window. Select the Delete personal settings check box, then click on Reset button.
You will now need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Protect your computer from annoying ads and malicious sites
To increase your security and protect your PC system against new annoying advertisements and malicious web sites, you need to use an application that blocks access to dangerous advertisements and web-sites. Moreover, the program can block the open of intrusive advertising, which also leads to faster loading of web-sites and reduce the consumption of web traffic.
- Download AdGuard program from the following link.
Adguard download
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- Once the downloading process is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” window. Follow the prompts.
- Once the installation is complete, press “Skip” to close it and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see a quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you run your computer, AdGuard will run automatically and block pop-ups, annoying ads, as well as other malicious or misleading web-pages. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, that is located on your Windows desktop.
Finish words
Now your system should be clean of the Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ and other unwanted software. Remove AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted popup ads and unwanted malicious web sites) and Malwarebytes (to periodically scan your computer for new malware and ad-supported software). Probably you are running an older version of Java or Adobe Flash Player. This can be a security risk, so download and install the latest version right now.
If you are still having problems while trying to remove Win32/InstallMonstr.QJ from your machine, then ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.
