How to uninstall DirectPDF from Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge

What is DirectPDF?

According to computer security experts, DirectPDF is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) belonging to the category of Browser hijackers. Browser hijackers are designed to take over the web-browser and control user’s surfing preferences. It commonly aims at Chrome internet browser, but it’s possible that it can hijack other browser too. The potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers can sneak into the PC unnoticed due to the fact that it’s actively being promoted in free software. We recommend that you delete DirectPDF as soon as you notice the changes it has made to your internet browser settings.

When you perform a search via DirectPDF, in addition to search results from Yahoo, Bing or Google Custom Search that provide links to web pages, news articles, images or videos you will also be shown a large amount of annoying ads. The makers of DirectPDF doing this to earn advertising profit from these advertisements.

Another reason why you need to get rid of DirectPDF is its online data-tracking activity. It can collect personal info, including:

• IP addresses;
• URLs visited;
• search queries/terms;
• clicks on links and ads;
• web browser version information.

How can a browser hijacker get on your PC

Browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs such as DirectPDF come from internet browser toolbars, web-browser extensions, BHOs (browser helper objects) and third-party software. In many cases, these items claim itself as programs which improve your experience on the Internet by providing a fast and interactive homepage or a search engine that does not track you. Remember, how to avoid the unwanted programs. Be cautious, launch only reputable software which download from reputable sources. NEVER install an unknown and suspicious program.

Threat Summary

Name	DirectPDF
Type	search engine hijacker, PUP, redirect virus, browser hijacker, home page hijacker
Affected Browser Settings	newtab page URL, search provider, start page
Distribution	dubious popup ads, freeware installers, fake updaters
Symptoms	You experience a huge number of of unwanted popup ads. When you go to a web site, you are randomly re-directed to another web-site that you do not intend to visit. Unexpected program installed without your consent. Unexpected internet browser toolbars on your desktop. Unexpected changes in your web browser like displaying new tabs you didn’t open.
Removal	DirectPDF removal guide

How to remove DirectPDF browser hijacker

In the few simple steps below, we’ll try to cover Microsoft Internet Explorer, Chrome, Edge and Mozilla Firefox and provide general help to remove DirectPDF browser hijacker. You may find some minor differences in your MS Windows install. No matter, you should be okay if you follow the steps outlined below: remove all suspicious and unknown applications, reset web browsers settings, fix internet browsers shortcuts, run free malware removal tools. Certain of the steps below will require you to exit this webpage. So, please read the guidance carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove DirectPDF, complete the steps below:

1. How to manually remove DirectPDF
   • Uninstall DirectPDF related apps through the Control Panel of your personal computer
   • Remove DirectPDF hijacker from browsers
2. Automatic Removal of DirectPDF
3. How to stop DirectPDF redirect

How to manually remove DirectPDF

Steps to remove DirectPDF browser hijacker without any apps are presented below. Be sure to carry out the step-by-step tutorial completely to fully get rid of this browser hijacker.

Uninstall DirectPDF related apps through the Control Panel of your personal computer

When troubleshooting a computer, one common step is go to Microsoft Windows Control Panel and delete suspicious programs. The same approach will be used in the removal of DirectPDF browser hijacker. Please use steps based on your MS Windows version.

1. If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then press Windows button, next press Search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.
2. If you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, then press “Start” button and click “Control Panel”.
3. It will show the Windows Control Panel.
4. Further, click “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
5. It will show a list of all programs installed on the computer.
6. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall dubious and unknown apps. To quickly find the latest installed applications, we recommend sort software by date.

See more details in the video guide below.

Remove DirectPDF hijacker from browsers

Remove unwanted plugins is a simple solution to remove DirectPDF browser hijacker and restore web-browser’s settings which have been replaced by hijacker.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right hand corner, click on ‘three vertical dots’, and this will open up the main menu on Google Chrome. When the drop-down menu appears, choose ‘More tools’ and click on ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove DirectPDF browser hijacker by reset Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing issues with DirectPDF browser hijacker removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser.
Internet Explorer	Safari
Click ‘Tools’ button in the top-right corner. Select ‘Manage add-ons’. In the drop-down menu under ‘Show’, select ‘All add-ons’. To delete an add-on, double-click it; in the new window click ‘Remove’. Another method to remove DirectPDF browser hijacker from Internet Explorer is reset Internet Explorer settings.	On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

Automatic Removal of DirectPDF

AntiMalware software differ from each other by many features like performance, scheduled scans, automatic updates, virus signature database, technical support, compatibility with other antivirus apps and so on. We suggest you run the following free software: Zemana AntiMalware, MalwareBytes Free and HitmanPro. Each of these programs has all of needed features, but most importantly, they can detect the hijacker and remove DirectPDF from the Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

Use Zemana to remove DirectPDF browser hijacker

Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) is extremely fast and ultra light weight malicious software removal tool. It will help you delete DirectPDF hijacker, adware, potentially unwanted software and other malicious software. This application gives real-time protection that never slow down your computer. Zemana is developed for experienced and beginner computer users. The interface of this tool is very easy to use, simple and minimalist.

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

   Zemana AntiMalware
   164032 downloads
   Author: Zemana Ltd
   Category: Security tools
   Update: July 16, 2019
   
2. When the download is done, close all applications and windows on your computer. Open a file location. Double-click on the icon that’s named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.
3. Further, press Next button and follow the prompts.
4. Once installation is done, press the “Scan” button for checking your device for the DirectPDF browser hijacker. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the count of files on your personal computer and the speed of your PC system. While the Zemana Free program is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as threat.
5. Once Zemana Free has finished scanning your device, Zemana will open you the results. You may delete items (move to Quarantine) by simply click “Next”. Once the task is complete, you can be prompted to restart your computer.

Delete DirectPDF hijacker from web-browsers with HitmanPro

Hitman Pro is a free removal utility. It deletes potentially unwanted software, adware software, browser hijackers and unwanted internet browser addons. It will identify and remove DirectPDF browser hijacker. Hitman Pro uses very small computer resources and is a portable program. Moreover, HitmanPro does add another layer of malware protection.

Visit the following page to download the latest version of Hitman Pro for Microsoft Windows. Save it directly to your MS Windows Desktop.

Once the downloading process is done, open the folder in which you saved it and double-click the Hitman Pro icon. It will start the HitmanPro utility. If the User Account Control dialog box will ask you want to start the application, press Yes button to continue.

Next, click “Next” to perform a system scan for the DirectPDF hijacker.

Once the checking is complete, HitmanPro will show a screen which contains a list of malware that has been found as displayed below.

Make sure to check mark the items which are unsafe and then press “Next” button. It will show a prompt, click the “Activate free license” button. The Hitman Pro will remove DirectPDF browser hijacker. When the clean-up is complete, the utility may ask you to restart your computer.

Use MalwareBytes to delete DirectPDF hijacker

You can remove DirectPDF hijacker automatically through the use of MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM). We suggest this free malware removal utility because it can easily get rid of hijacker, adware, PUPs and toolbars with all their components such as files, folders and registry entries.

MalwareBytes Free can be downloaded from the following link. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

After the downloading process is complete, close all software and windows on your PC system. Double-click the install file named MBSetup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as on the image below, click the “Yes” button.

It will open the Setup wizard which will help you install MalwareBytes Free on your PC system. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.

Once setup is done successfully, click “Get Started” button. MalwareBytes Free will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown in the figure below.

Now click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the DirectPDF browser hijacker. A scan may take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your PC system and the speed of your PC system. While the utility is scanning, you can see number of objects and files has already scanned.

When MalwareBytes AntiMalware is done scanning your computer, MalwareBytes Free will open a list of all threats detected by the scan. Next, you need to click “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes will remove DirectPDF hijacker and move the selected items to the Quarantine. When the clean-up is complete, you may be prompted to reboot the PC system.

We suggest you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the MalwareBytes Free to get rid of adware, hijacker and other malicious software.

How to stop DirectPDF redirect

By installing an adblocker program such as AdGuard, you are able to stop DirectPDF redirects, block autoplaying video ads and remove a large amount of distracting and unwanted ads on web sites.

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your MS Windows desktop or in any other place.

When the download is done, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen like below.

Follow the prompts. After the installation is complete, you will see a window as shown in the figure below.

You can click “Skip” to close the setup program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial that will help 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 launch your PC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted ads, block DirectPDF, as well as other malicious or misleading web-pages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, that is located on your desktop.

Finish words

After completing the steps above, your personal computer should be free from DirectPDF hijacker and other malicious software. The Microsoft Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and MS Edge will no longer show unwanted ads. Unfortunately, if the guide does not help you, then you have caught a new hijacker, and then the best way – ask for help here.