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How to remove the WinAdCtl virus


Most antivirus programs identify WinAdCtl.exe as malware, for instance Symantec identifies it as Adware.WinTaskAd, and TrendMicro identifies it as ADWARE_WINAD.
The free file information forum can help you find out how to remove it. If you know more about this file, please leave a comment or a hint for other users.

Click to Run a Free Virus Scan for the WinAdCtl.exe malware


WinAdCtl.exe file information

The process belongs to software Windows AdControl or Bespelled Deluxe or Pinnacle MPEG Realtime Codec by unknown.

Description: The file WinAdCtl.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files". The file size on Windows 7/XP is 25,088 bytes. http://www.file.net/process/winadctl.exe.html 
There is no file information. The program has no visible window. The program is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run). It is not a Windows core file. WinAdCtl.exe is able to monitor applications. Therefore the technical security rating is 61% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.
In case of problems with WinAdCtl.exe, you can uninstall the associated program (Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > Windows AdControl or Pinnacle MPEG Realtime Codec).

Recommended: Identify WinAdCtl.exe related errors

External information from Paul Collins:

  • "Windows AdControl" definitely not required. Windupdates adware variant

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as WinAdCtl.exe, particularly when located in the c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder. Therefore, you should check the WinAdCtl.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.



Score

User Comments

Spyware
  Bang  
Adaware, remove immiediately.
  God  
Definitely not required - typically viruses, spyware, adware and "resource hogs"
  tom  
WinAd smells like adware..... I removed it, and my system still works
  Sam  
The file suddenly appeared on my screen (Win98) as an 'Illegal error' message. It would not ,CLOSE.
   
Rating chart


Summary: Average user rating of WinAdCtl.exe: based on 7 votes with 5 reviews.
1 user think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 1 user suspect danger. 5 users think WinAdCtl.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.


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WinAdCtl scanner


Security Task Manager shows all running Windows tasks including embedded hidden functions (e.g. keyboard or browser monitoring, autostart entry). A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware, keylogger or a Trojan.

Spyware Doctor detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, malware and tracking threats from your hard disk. Ideal supplement to Security Task Manager.

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Other processes


WinAdCtl.exe [all]