Windows 10: Sick of ads

Of course you should restart, it does not seems like a typical cortana add though.

 

Some suggestions.

Stop using Softronic.

Four programs I use with success. These programs should remove your 'ad' garbage.

1. AdwCleaner by Malwarebytes.
2. Malwarebytes anti malware.
3. Eset free Online scanner.
4. Super Anti Spyware.


Malwarebytes | AdwCleaner

Malwarebytes | Free Anti-Malware & Malware Removal

Free Virus Scan | Online Virus Scan from ESET ESET

SUPERAntiSpyware Download

Back when dinosaurs were wearing short pants 'Cnet' was a good place to get downloads and then they went to hell in a hand basket.
I don't know what they are like now for downloads because I haven't used them in years.

Jack

 

CNET is still the king of bundled software, avoid at all costs.

 

Where possible only get software from the manufacturer's site, these days even this can result in issues with unwanted software, so you should check everything

 

The screen shot looks like a Chrome or Firefox push notification.

 

Yes it does, Edwin. Pop-ups of permitted notifications.
@xpac5896, at the upper left of the address bar in your browser, click the information icon and see if you have any specific granted permissions for sites that are causing issues, and turn them off.





Also, in Firefox options (Don't know the equivalent in Chrome/Edge or others), check in the Options/Privacy and Security to see if any domains have blanket permission to push notifications out to you. Adjust as needed.

 

I agree. I wanted to download IranView but there stupid site kept linking me to Cnet download for the 64-bit version. I then found it on majorgeeks.com.

Welcome IrfanView (64-bit) users
No thanks.

Download IrfanView 64 Bit - MajorGeeks
No crapware.

 

MG is probably the safest of the non-direct sites. Almost always they have links to the vendor's site. So they're kinda a repository of sorts...kinda. Still prefer the direct vendor's site if available and you can find it without searching all day!

 

Me too but when I can't find it I download it from majorgeeks.

 

You also can get it via Filepuma:
Free Software Downloads and Reviews - Filepuma.com

I get the majority of my free software from there.


You can also get IrfanView and other free software via these sites:
FileHorse.com / Free Software Download for Windows
Download Free Software for Windows - FileCroco.com

I use these sites as my backup download sites.

 

This is one thing that I do not get at all in Windows 10, never have from day one. I never even got Candy Crush or whatever it was call. It must be from reading the Tutorials is all I can figure.

 

First, To answer the question in regards to using Malwarebytes, I use it, as a matter of fact I have a license and have had one for the last two years and IT WORKS. I also use Bitdefender Total Security and this thing will NOT allow anything to be written to your hard drive unless you tell it to. Heck, I tried installing a program and it wouldn't allow me to install it, had to go to the white paper and put the exe in there. So I guess I'm pretty well secure. I use Chrome so I had to go to the Extensions and turned them off and got rid of any that was there. The ads seem to be from Softonic and I have no programs from them so I don't know how or why their showing up. Even did a search on the puter for any programs with Softonic name and nothing shows up. As far as Candy Crush is concerned, turned that tile off when it first showed up, have no use for it nor any live tiles in Win 10, they're all turned off, they use memory. Haven't done the deal with the browser in regards to the notifications in the address bar. I'll have to check that out on different sites but at the present time, on this site, notifications are blocked but don't know if that holds true on all sites may hold true on all sites, just don't know.
Have noticed that on the pop up there is a cog thingy and I clicked on it and it opened up Chrome so it must be linked to the browser. AS I stated before all notifications are off so I have no idea where else to look. If push come to shove I'll get rid of chrome and start using Fire Fox.

 

You could download Microsoft's own Autoruns and check for any issues, there is a number of tabs for Startup items that shows everything that is ever loaded with, or without, user permission, you can also check the Known Hijacks Tab which often shows any browser related naughtiness
Autoruns for Windows - Windows Sysinternals | Microsoft Docs

If you see something that you are not sure off in the output (it can be a bit overwhelming ), it's possible to save the output and zip it and upload here where one of use can take a look for you

 

reddice: Never used IrfanView. Just might have to take a look at it. I notice you have "Cats are the best pets". I have three of them, all black, found one in a sewer, crazy little sucker but just loves the heck out of everybody, I believe it's part Siamese, the eyes.

 

HI, you can also get irfanview/irfanview64 as uwp app from the windows/microsoft store as well. That's where I got mine and it works pretty good. You can set it as the default viewer instead of photos.