How to remove WProtectManager.exe virus (Removal Guide)

Wprotectmanager.exe is a potentially unwanted program that is designed to protect its bundled programs and make sure they remain installed or unchanged by other third party programs.
The Wprotectmanager.exe program is a part of the WpManager program, and is developed by Cherished Technology Limited, a company known for their malicious programs.
There are 6 versions of Wprotectmanager.exe in the wild, the latest version being 3.26.5.0. It is started as a Windows Service with the name ‘WPM Service’. During the process’s lifecycle, the typical CPU resource utilization is about 0.0001% including both foreground and background operations, the average private memory consumption is about 3.55 MB with the maximum memory reaching around 6.96 MB. Additionally, typically read and write I/O disk operations is about 0 Bytes per minute for reads and 0 Bytes per minute for writes.
If you have Wprotectmanager.exe program on your system, you will typically see a “Wprotectmanager.exe” processes running in the Windows Task Manager.

Wprotectmanager.exe is typically added when you install another free software (video recording/streaming, download-managers or PDF creators) that had bundled into their installation this program. Very often users have no idea where did it come from, so it’s not surprising at all that most of them assume that Wprotectmanager.exe is a virus.
This program is also bundled within the custom installer on many reputable download sites, so if you have downloaded a software from these websites, chances are that Wprotectmanager.exe was installed during the software setup process.
Wprotectmanager.exe it’s technically not a virus, but it does exhibit plenty of malicious traits, such as rootkit capabilities to hook deep into the operating system, browser hijacking, and in general just interfering with the user experience. The industry generally refers to it as a “PUP,” or potentially unwanted program.
Once installed, Wprotectmanager.exe will change the default search engine and home page in all major web browsers, and if you try to revert to their default settings, this program will not allow you to perform these changes.
Wprotectmanager.exe is bundled within the installer of many toolbars, adware and other potentially unwanted programs, with the sole purpose of making the removal process of this programs more difficult.
Some examples of infections that will install the Wprotectmanager.exe program are: Aartemis Toolbar, NationZoom Toolbar Platform, Sweet-Page Toolbar, Do-Searches Toolbar and many more programs.
You should always pay attention when installing software because often, a software installer includes optional installs, such as this Wprotectmanager.exe hijacker. Be very careful what you agree to install.
Always opt for the custom installation and deselect anything that is not familiar, especially optional software that you never wanted to download and install in the first place. It goes without saying that you should not install software that you don’t trust.

How to remove Wprotectmanager.exe (Virus Removal Guide)

This page is a comprehensive guide, which will remove Wprotectmanager.exe pop-ups from your computer, and any other adware program that may have been installed during the the setup process.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, STOP and ask for our assistance.
STEP 1: Uninstall Wprotectmanager.exe malicious programs from Windows
STEP 2: Remove Wprotectmanager.exe adware with AdwCleaner
STEP 3: Remove Wprotectmanager.exe browser hijackers with Junkware Removal Tool
STEP 4: Remove Wprotectmanager.exe virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free
STEP 5: Double-check for the Wprotectmanager.exe infection with HitmanPro

STEP 1 : Uninstall Wprotectmanager.exe malicious programs from Windows

Wprotectmanager.exe was installed with adware or browser hijacker program that you have recently installed on your computer. In our case Wprotectmanager.exe infection was installed with the MyStart toolbar.
In this first step, we will try to identify and remove any malicious program that might be installed on your computer.

1. To uninstall the Wprotectmanager.exe program from your computer, click the Start button, then select Control Panel, and click on Uninstall a program.
   If you are using Windows 8, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for “control panel“. Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control Panel from there, then select Uninstall a program.
   
2. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and uninstall Wsys Control, Extended Protection, eSave Security Control, WPM Service and any other recently installed or unknown programs from your computer.
   

Depending on what program has installed the Wprotectmanager.exe infection, the above program may have a different name or not be installed on your computer. If you cannot find any unwanted or unknown programs on your machine, then you can proceed with the next step.
If you are having issues while trying to uninstall the Wprotectmanager.exe malicious programs, you can use Revo Uninstaller to completly remove the unwated programs from your machine.

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STEP 2: Remove Wprotectmanager.exe adware from your computer with AdwCleaner

The AdwCleaner utility will scan your computer for Wprotectmanager.exe adware, that may have been installed on your computer without your knowledge.

1. You can download AdwCleaner utility from the below link.
   ADWCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download AdwCleaner on your computer)
2. Before starting AdwCleaner, close all open programs and internet browsers, then double-click on the AdwCleaner icon.
   
   If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run AdwCleaner, please allow it to run.
3. When the AdwCleaner program will open, click on the Scan button as shown below.
   
   AdwCleaner will now start to search for Wprotectmanager.exe malicious files that may be installed on your computer.
4. To remove the Wprotectmanager.exe malicious files that were detected in the previous step, please click on the Clean button.
   
   AdwCleaner will now prompt you to save any open files or data as the program will need to reboot the computer. Please do so and then click on the OK button.

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STEP 3: Remove Wprotectmanager.exe browser hijackers with Junkware Removal Tool

Junkware Removal Tool is a powerful utility, which will remove Wprotectmanager.exe browser hijacker from Internet Explorer, Firefox or Google Chrome.

1. You can download the Junkware Removal Tool utility from the below link:
   JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download the Junkware Removal Tool utility on your computer)
2. Once Junkware Removal Tool has finished downloading, please double-click on the JRT.exe icon as seen below.
   
   If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run Junkware Removal Tool, please allow it to run.
3. Junkware Removal Tool will now start, and at the Command Prompt, you’ll need to press any key to perform a scan for the Wprotectmanager.exe virus.
   
   Please be patient as this can take a while to complete (up to 10 minutes) depending on your system’s specifications.
4. When the scan Junkware Removal Tool will be completed, this utility will display a log with the malicious files and registry keys that were removed from your computer.
   

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STEP 4: Remove Wprotectmanager.exe virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free uses industry-leading technology to detect and remove all traces of malware, including worms, Trojans, rootkits, rogues, dialers, spyware, and more.
It is important to note that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware works well and should run alongside antivirus software without conflicts.

1. You can download download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from the below link.
   MALWAREBYTES ANTI-MALWARE DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a new web page from where you can download “Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free”)
2. Once downloaded, close all programs, then double-click on the icon on your desktop named “mbam-setup-consumer-2.00.xx” to start the installation of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
   
   You may be presented with a User Account Control dialog asking you if you want to run this file. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
3. When the installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Setup Wizard which will guide you through the installation process.
   
   To install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on your machine, keep following the prompts by clicking the “Next” button.
   
4. Once installed, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will automatically start and you will see a message stating that you should update the program, and that a scan has never been run on your system. To start a system scan you can click on the “Fix Now” button.
   
   Alternatively, you can click on the “Scan” tab and select “Threat Scan“, then click on the “Scan Now” button.
   
5. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now check for updates, and if there are any, you will need to click on the “Update Now” button.
   
6. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer for the Wprotectmanager.exe virus. When Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is scanning it will look like the image below.
   
7. When the scan has completed, you will now be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware has detected. To remove the malicious programs that Malwarebytes Anti-malware has found, click on the “Quarantine All” button, and then click on the “Apply Now” button.
   
   Please note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image.
8. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now quarantine all the malicious files and registry keys that it has found. When removing the files, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware may require a reboot in order to remove some of them. If it displays a message stating that it needs to reboot your computer, please allow it to do so.
   
   After your computer will restart, you should open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and perform another “Threat Scan” scan to verify that there are no remaining threats

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STEP 5: Double-check for the Wprotectmanager.exe infection with HitmanPro

HitmanPro is a second opinion scanner, designed to rescue your computer from malware (viruses, trojans, rootkits, etc.) that have infected your computer despite all the security measures you have taken (such as anti-virus software, firewalls, etc.). HitmanPro is designed to work alongside existing security programs without any conflicts. It scans the computer quickly (less than 5 minutes) and does not slow down the computer.

1. You can download HitmanPro from the below link:
   HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a new web page from where you can download “HitmanPro”)
2. Double-click on the file named “HitmanPro.exe” (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or “HitmanPro_x64.exe” (for 64-bit versions of Windows). When the program starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below.
   
   Click on the “Next” button, to install HitmanPro on your computer.
   
3. HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for Wprotectmanager.exe malicious files.
   
4. When it has finished it will display a list of all the malware that the program found as shown in the image below. Click on the “Next” button, to remove Wprotectmanager.exe virus.
   
5. Click on the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial, and remove all the malicious files from your computer.
   

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Your computer should now be free of the “Wprotectmanager.exe” pop-up ads. If your current anti-virus solution let this infection through, you may want to consider purchasing the Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future, and perform regular computer scans with HitmanPro.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove “Wprotectmanager.exe” pop-up virus from your machine, please start a new thread in our Malware Removal Assistance forum.