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windows/security/intelligence/unwanted-software.md
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Unwanted software are programs that alter your Windows experience without your consent or control. The altered experience can be in the form of modified browsing experience, lack of control over downloads and installation, misleading messages, or unauthorized changes to Windows settings.
## How does unwanted software get into my PC?
## How does unwanted software get infect PCs?
You may get unwanted software when you search for and download applications from the Internet. Some applications are software bundlers, which means that they are packed with other applications. As a result, when you install the application you originally searched for, you may inadvertently install other programs that you may not want or need.
Unwanted software can be introduced when a user searches for and downloads applications from the Internet. Some applications are software bundlers, which means that they are packed with other applications. As a result, other programs can be inadvertently installed when the original application is downloaded.
Here are some indications that you have unwanted software on your PC:
Here are some indications there is unwanted software on your PC:
- You see programs that you did not install and that may be difficult to uninstall
- There are programs that you did not install and that may be difficult to uninstall
- Your browser features or settings changed, and you can’t view or modify them
- Browser features or settings have changed, and you can’t view or modify them
- You see excessive messages about your PC’s system health or about files and programs in your PC
- There are excessive messages about your PC’s system health or about files and programs in your PC
- You see ads that you cannot easily close
- There are ads that cannot be easily closed
Some unwanted behaviors are harder to recognize. Some unwanted software, for example, modify web pages to display specific ads, monitor your browsing activities, or remove control of your browser. You need antivirus products, such as Windows Defender Antivirus (Windows Defender AV), to detect and remove these unwanted software. Microsoft uses an extensive [evaluation criteria](https://www.microsoft.com/wdsi/antimalware-support/malware-and-unwanted-software-evaluation-criteria) to identify unwanted software.
Some unwanted behaviors are harder to recognize. Some unwanted software, for example, modify web pages to display specific ads, monitor browsing activities, or remove control of the browser.
Microsoft uses an extensive [evaluation criteria](https://www.microsoft.com/wdsi/antimalware-support/malware-and-unwanted-software-evaluation-criteria) to identify unwanted software.
## How do I protect my PC against unwanted software?
To prevent unwanted software infection, download software only from official websites, or from the Microsoft Store. Be wary of downloading software from third-party sites.
Use Microsoft Edge when browsing the Internet. Microsoft Edge includes additional protections that effectively block browser modifiers that can change your browser settings. Microsoft Edge also blocks known websites hosting unwanted software using Windows Defender SmartScreen (also used by Internet Explorer).
Use [Microsoft Edge](https://docs.microsoft.com/microsoft-edge/deploy/index) when browsing the Internet. Microsoft Edge includes additional protections that effectively block browser modifiers that can change your browser settings. Microsoft Edge also blocks known websites hosting unwanted software using [SmartScreen](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/deploy/index) (also used by Internet Explorer).
Enable Windows Defender AV in Windows 10. It provides real-time protection against threats and detects and removes known unwanted software.
Enable [Windows Defender AV](https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-defender-antivirus/windows-defender-antivirus-in-windows-10) in Windows 10. It provides real-time protection against threats and detects and removes known unwanted software.
If you suspect that you have unwanted software your PC, you can [submit files for analysis](https://www.microsoft.com/wdsi/filesubmission).
Download [Microsoft Security Essentials](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?id=5201) for real-time protection in Windows 7 or Windows Vista.
For more general tips, see [prevent malware infection](prevent-malware-infection.md).
## What should I do if my PC is infected?
Some unwanted software add uninstallation entries, which means that you can remove them from your PC using Settings. Select the Start button, then go to **Settings > Apps > Apps & features**. Select the app you want to uninstall, then click **Uninstall**. If you only recently noticed symptoms of unwanted software infection, consider sorting the apps by install date, and then uninstall the most recent apps that you did not install.
If you suspect that you have unwanted software your PC, you can [submit files for analysis](https://www.microsoft.com/wdsi/filesubmission).
You may also need to remove browser add-ons in your browsers, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Chrome.
Some unwanted software adds uninstallation entries, which means that you can **remove them from the PC using Settings**.
1. Select the Start button
2. Go to **Settings > Apps > Apps & features**.
3. Select the app you want to uninstall, then click **Uninstall**.
Some unwanted software can be more difficult to remove. Run a full scan using Windows Defender AV to remove unwanted software, malware, and threats.
If you only recently noticed symptoms of unwanted software infection, consider sorting the apps by install date, and then uninstall the most recent apps that you did not install.
You may also need to **remove browser add-ons** in your browsers, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Chrome.
In case threat removal is unsuccessful, read about [troubleshooting malware detection and removal problems](https://www.microsoft.com/wdsi/help/troubleshooting-infection).