How to remove Playkull.com pop-up ads [Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge]

The ad supported software is the part of the software that is used as an online promotional tool. It’s developed with the sole purpose to show dozens of pop up advertisements, and thus to promote the goods and services in an open web-browser window. It’s designed to fill the web-browser’s constant stream of advertisements, or redirect the web-browser to not expected and intrusive advertising sites.

In addition to that, as was mentioned earlier, certain ad-supported software to also alter all browsers shortcuts that located on your Desktop or Start menu. So, every infected shortcut will try to redirect your internet browser to intrusive ad sites such as Playkull.com, some of which might be malicious. It can make the whole personal computer more vulnerable to hacker attacks.

Thus, it is clear that the presence of ad-supported software on your computer is not desirable, and you need to clean up your PC system ASAP. Follow the tutorial below in order to delete Playkull.com pop-up ads.

How to remove Playkull.com pop-up ads

Even if you’ve the up-to-date classic antivirus installed, and you’ve checked your computer for malware and removed anything found, you need to do the guidance below. The Playkull.com popup advertisements removal is not simple as installing another antivirus. Classic antivirus software are not made to run together and will conflict with each other, or possibly crash Microsoft Windows. Instead we recommend complete the manual steps below after that run Zemana, MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) or AdwCleaner, which are free software dedicated to detect and delete ad-supported software that causes multiple annoying pop-up advertisements. Use these utilities to ensure the adware is removed.

Manual Playkull.com pop up ads removal

The following instructions is a step-by-step guide, which will help you manually remove Playkull.com ads from the Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge.

Delete potentially unwanted software using MS Windows Control Panel

First, go to Microsoft Windows Control Panel and remove suspicious programs, all programs you don’t remember installing. It’s important to pay the most attention to software you installed just before Playkull.com pop-up ads appeared on your web-browser. If you do not know what a program does, look for the answer on the Internet.

It will open the Windows Control Panel like below.

Next, press “Uninstall a program”
It will display a list of all applications installed on your computer. Scroll through the all list, and delete any suspicious and unknown software. To quickly find the latest installed programs, we recommend sort software by date in the Control panel.

Fix infected internet browsers shortcuts to get rid of Playkull.com redirect

The adware can hijack various Windows shortcuts on your desktop (most often, all web browsers shortcuts), so in this step you need to check and clean them by removing the argument such as http://site.address/.

Right click on the web 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 “http://site.address” that has been added here. Remove everything after .exe. An example, for Google Chrome you should remove everything after chrome.exe.

To save changes, click OK . You need to clean all internet browser’s shortcuts. So, repeat this step for the Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer and MS Edge.

Remove unwanted Scheduled Tasks

If the unwanted Playkull.com web-page opens automatically on Windows startup or at equal time intervals, then you need to check the Task Scheduler Library and get rid of all the tasks which have been created by ‘ad-supported’ applications.

Press Windows and R keys on your keyboard at the same time. It will display a prompt which called Run. In the text field, type “taskschd.msc” (without the quotes) and click OK. Task Scheduler window opens. In the left-hand side, press “Task Scheduler Library”, as displayed on the image below.

In the middle part you will see a list of installed tasks. Select the first task, its properties will be open just below automatically. Next, press the Actions tab. Necessary to look at the text which is written under Details. Found something such as “explorer.exe http://site.address” or “chrome.exe http://site.address” or “firefox.exe http://site.address”, then you need delete this task. If you are not sure that executes the task, then google it. If it is a component of the ‘ad-supported’ software, then this task also should be removed.

Further click on it with the right mouse button and select Delete like below.

Repeat this step, if you have found a few tasks that have been created by ‘ad-supported’ application. Once is finished, close the Task Scheduler window.

Delete Playkull.com advertisements from Firefox

Resetting your FF is first troubleshooting step for any issues with your browser application, including the redirect to Playkull.com web page.

Run the Mozilla Firefox and press the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the web-browser screen. Next, click the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will show the slide-out menu.

Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you’re unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as displayed in the figure below.

Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation dialog box. The Mozilla Firefox will begin a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the ad supported software that causes browsers to open intrusive Playkull.com pop-up ads. After, it is finished, click the “Finish” button.

Get rid of Playkull.com popup ads from Microsoft Internet Explorer

By resetting IE browser you return your browser settings to its default state. This is first when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by adware that made to redirect your browser to various ad web-pages such as Playkull.com.

First, launch the Microsoft Internet Explorer, then click ‘gear’ icon . It will open the Tools drop-down menu on the right part of the web browser, then press the “Internet Options” as shown on the image below.

In the “Internet Options” screen, select the “Advanced” tab, then click the “Reset” button. The Microsoft Internet Explorer will open the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” prompt. Further, press the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. Next, click the “Reset” button as on the image below.

Once the task is complete, click “Close” button. Close the IE and reboot your machine for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your internet browser’s newtab, start page and search provider by default to default state.

Remove Playkull.com popups from Google Chrome

Like other modern internet browsers, the Chrome has the ability to reset the settings to their default values and thereby recover the internet browser’s settings such as home page, new tab page and search engine by default that have been replaced by the adware that cause intrusive Playkull.com ads to appear.

Open the Google Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will open the drop-down menu. Next, click to “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 displayed on the image below and click the “Reset settings” button.

Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.

Remove Playkull.com redirect with free software

If your personal computer is still infected with ad supported software that made to redirect your web browser to various ad pages such as Playkull.com, then the best way of detection and removal is to use an anti malware scan on the system. Download free malicious software removal tools below and launch a full system scan. It will help you remove all components of the ad supported software from hardisk and Windows registry.

Scan and clean your internet browser of Playkull.com pop-up advertisements with Zemana Anti-malware

We advise using the Zemana Anti-malware. You can download and install Zemana Anti-malware to detect adware and thereby remove Playkull.com pop-ups from the Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer and Edge browsers. When installed and updated, the malware remover will automatically check and detect all threats present on your personal computer.

1. Download Zemana by clicking on the link below and save it to your Desktop.
   
   

   Zemana AntiMalware
   164033 downloads
   Author: Zemana Ltd
   Category: Security tools
   Update: July 16, 2019
   
2. When the downloading process is finished, close all applications and windows on your personal computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.
3. Further, click Next button and follow the prompts.
4. Once install is finished, click the “Scan” button . Zemana Free tool will begin scanning the whole machine to find out ad-supported software that causes a large count of intrusive Playkull.com pop ups. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your machine. While the tool is scanning, you can see how many objects and files has already scanned.
5. Once that process is done, Zemana Free will show a scan report. In order to remove all items, simply press “Next”. After that process is finished, you can be prompted to restart your system.

How to automatically delete Playkull.com with Malwarebytes

We recommend using the Malwarebytes Free. You can download and install Malwarebytes to scan for adware and thereby remove Playkull.com popup ads from your web browsers. When installed and updated, the free malicious software remover will automatically check and detect all threats present on the computer.

Download MalwareBytes AntiMalware by clicking on the following link. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

After the download is finished, close all programs and windows on your PC system. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s called mb3-setup as shown on the screen below.

When the setup starts, you will see the “Setup wizard” which will help you setup Malwarebytes on your PC.

Once install is done, you’ll see window as displayed in the following example.

Now press the “Scan Now” button . MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) utility will begin scanning the whole machine to find out ad-supported software that causes a large number of unwanted Playkull.com pop-up advertisements. Depending on your machine, the scan may take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the MalwareBytes Free is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified either as being malware.

Once MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) has completed scanning, MalwareBytes will show a screen which contains a list of malicious software that has been detected. Review the report and then click “Quarantine Selected” button.

The Malwarebytes will now get rid of adware which cause annoying Playkull.com pop up advertisements to appear and add threats to the Quarantine. When the task is complete, you may be prompted to reboot your computer.

The following video explains step by step guidance on how to get rid of browser hijacker infection, adware and other malware with MalwareBytes.

Scan and free your computer of ad supported software with AdwCleaner

AdwCleaner is a free removal utility that can check your machine for a wide range of security threats like malware, adwares, potentially unwanted programs as well as ad-supported software that causes undesired Playkull.com advertisements. It will perform a deep scan of your PC including hard drives and MS Windows registry. After a malicious software is found, it will help you to get rid of all detected threats from your PC by a simple click.

Download AdwCleaner tool from the link below. Save it on your MS Windows desktop.

Once downloading is finished, open the directory in which you saved it and double-click the AdwCleaner icon. It will launch the AdwCleaner utility and you will see a screen like below. If the User Account Control dialog box will ask you want to open the application, click Yes button to continue.

Next, click “Scan” to start scanning your personal computer for the adware that made to redirect your browser to various ad web sites such as Playkull.com. This task may take some time, so please be patient. While the utility is scanning, you may see how many objects and files has already scanned.

Once AdwCleaner has completed scanning, AdwCleaner will show a list of all threats found by the scan as shown in the figure below.

Next, you need to press “Clean” button. It will open a dialog box. Click “OK” button. The AdwCleaner will delete ‘ad supported’ software that causes multiple unwanted advertisements. After the procedure is finished, the utility may ask you to reboot your computer. After restart, the AdwCleaner will display the log file.

All the above steps are shown in detail in the following video instructions.

Block Playkull.com pop-up advertisements and other unwanted web pages

Use an ad blocking tool such as AdGuard will protect you from malicious ads and content. Moreover, you may find that the AdGuard have an option to protect your privacy and stop phishing and spam web sites. Additionally, ad blocking programs will allow you to avoid undesired advertisements and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.

1. Download AdGuard application from the following link and save it directly to your Microsoft Windows Desktop.
   

   Adguard download
   26627 downloads
   Version: 6.4
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: November 15, 2018
   
2. Once the downloading process is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. When the installation is finished, press “Skip” to close the installation application and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you start your system, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop pop-up advertisements, web-sites such Playkull.com, as well as other malicious or misleading pages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon named AdGuard, that is located on your desktop.

How to avoid setup of Playkull.com pop up ads

Most commonly, the free software setup file includes third-party programs like this adware that causes undesired Playkull.com advertisements. So, be very careful when you agree to install anything. The best way – is to choose a Custom, Advanced or Manual installation mode. Here disable (uncheck) all optional applications in which you are unsure or that causes even a slightest suspicion. The main thing you should remember, you do not need to install any optional software which you don’t trust! The only one thing I want to add. Once the free applications is installed, if you uninstall this software, the undesired Playkull.com pop ups will not be removed. This must be done by yourself. Just follow the instructions above.

To sum up

Now your computer should be free of the ad supported software which redirects your internet browser to undesired Playkull.com web page. Uninstall AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop-up ads and undesired malicious pages) and Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) (to periodically scan your computer for new malware, browser hijackers and ad-supported software). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Windows OS. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new adwares, harmful software and ‘ad supported’ software are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to remove Playkull.com pop ups from your internet browser, then ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.