Privacy Commander Threat Level:

Privacy Commander, or PrivacyCommander, is a fake registry cleaner/privacy software. Like other scam-ware, Privacy Commander pops up fake error alerts to try and scare you into buying Privacy Commander.

If Privacy Commander is annoying you, the only system issue you have is Privacy Commander.

Getting rid of Privacy Commander should be as easy as selecting Start Menu > Programs > Privacy Commander > Uninstall. Privacy Commander may leave a bunch of debris behind, though, so if you want to be extra thorough, follow my instructions below on how to remove Privacy Commander for free.

Do You Have Privacy Commander?

When you’re infected with badware — whether it’s Privacy Commander, spyware, adware, a Trojan, or a virus — there are a few key symptoms. Have you noticed…

• Slow computer performance: It just takes one parasite like Privacy Commander to slow your computer dramatically. If your PC takes longer than usual to reboot, or if your Internet connection is unusually slow, you may be infected with Privacy Commander.
• New desktop shortcuts or switched homepage: Badware like Privacy Commander may change your Internet settings to redirect your homepage to another site. Badware can even add desktop shortcuts to your PC.
• Annoying popups: Badware can bombard your computer with popup ads, even when you’re not online. Through these popups, you may be tricked into downloading more spyware.

How to Remove Privacy Commander Manually

Before we get started, you should backup your system and your registry, so it’ll be easy to restore your computer if anything goes wrong.

To remove Privacy Commander manually, you need to delete Privacy Commander files. Not sure how to delete Privacy Commander files? Click here, and I’ll show you. Otherwise, go ahead and…

Block Privacy Commander sites:

Stop Privacy Commander processes:

Get rid of Privacy Commander files:

Delete Privacy Commander folders:

Unregister Privacy Commander registry keys:

Note: In any Privacy Commander files I mention above, “%UserProfile%” is a variable referring to your current user’s profile folder. If you’re using Windows NT/2000/XP, by default this is “C:\Documents and Settings\[CURRENT USER]” (e.g., “C:\Documents and Settings\JoeSmith”). If you have any questions about manual Privacy Commander removal, go ahead and leave a comment.

How Do You Remove Privacy Commander Files?

Need help figuring out how to delete Privacy Commander files? While there’s some risk involved, and you should only manually remove Privacy Commander files if you’re comfortable editing your system, you’ll find it’s fairly easy to delete Privacy Commander files in Windows.

How to delete Privacy Commander files in Windows XP and Vista:

1. Click your Windows Start menu, and then click “Search.”
2. A speech bubble will pop up asking you, “What do you want to search for?” Click “All files and folders.”
3. Type a Privacy Commander file in the search box, and select “Local Hard Drives.”
4. Click “Search.” Once the file is found, delete it.

How to stop Privacy Commander processes:

1. Click the Start menu, select Run.
2. Type taskmgr.exe into the the Run command box, and click “OK.” You can also launch the Task Manager by pressing keys CTRL + Shift + ESC.
3. Click Processes tab, and find Privacy Commander processes.
4. Once you’ve found the Privacy Commander processes, right-click them and select “End Process” to kill Privacy Commander.

How to remove Privacy Commander registry keys:

Because your registry is such a key piece of your Windows system, you should always backup your registry before you edit it. Editing your registry can be intimidating if you’re not a computer expert, and when you change or a delete a critical registry key or value, there’s a chance you may need to reinstall your entire system. Make sure your backup your registry before editing it.

1. Select your Windows menu “Start,” and click “Run.” An “Open” field will appear. Type “regedit” and click “OK” to open up your Registry Editor.
2. Registry Editor will open as a window with two panes. The left side Registry Editor’s window lets you select various registry keys, and the right side displays the registry values of the registry key you select.
3. To find a registry key, such as any Privacy Commander registry keys, select “Edit,” then select “Find,” and in the search bar type any of Privacy Commander’s registry keys.
4. As soon as Privacy Commander registry key appears, you can delete the Privacy Commander registry key by right-clicking it and selecting “Modify,” then clicking “Delete.”

How to delete Privacy Commander DLL files:

1. First locate Privacy Commander DLL files you want to delete. Open your Windows Start menu, then click “Run.” Type “cmd” in Run, and click “OK.”
2. To change your current directory, type “cd” in the command box, press your “Space” key, and enter the full directory where the Privacy Commander DLL file is located. If you’re not sure if the Privacy Commander DLL file is located in a particular directory, enter “dir” in the command box to display a directory’s contents. To go one directory back, enter “cd ..” in the command box and press “Enter.”
3. When you’ve located the Privacy Commander DLL file you want to remove, type “regsvr32 /u SampleDLLName.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 /u jl27script.dll”) and press your “Enter” key.

That’s it. If you want to restore any Privacy Commander DLL file you removed, type “regsvr32 DLLJustDeleted.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 jl27script.dll”) into your command box, and press your “Enter” key.

Did Privacy Commander change your homepage?

1. Click Windows Start menu > Control Panel > Internet Options.
2. Under Home Page, select the General > Use Default.
3. Type in the URL you want as your home page (e.g., “http://www.homepage.com”).
4. Select Apply > OK.
5. You’ll want to open a fresh web page and make sure that your new default home page pops up.

Privacy Commander Removal Tip

Is your computer acting funny after deleting any Privacy Commander files? I recommend using a program like File Recover from PC Tools. File Recover saves deleted files that otherwise can’t be recovered by Windows operating sytem.

Want to save time finding Privacy Commander files? Download Spyware Doctor, let it find the Privacy Commander files for you, and then manually delete Privacy Commander files.

How Did You Get Privacy Commander?

Wondering how Privacy Commander ended up on your PC? If you’re infected with Privacy Commander or other badware, perhaps you were using…

• Freeware or shareware: Did you download and install shareware or freeware? These low-cost or free software applications may come bundled with spyware, adware, or programs like Privacy Commander. Sometimes adware is attached to the free software to “pay” developers for the cost of creating the software, and more often spyware is secretly attached to free software to harm your computer and steal your personal and financial information.
• Peer-to-peer software: Do you use a peer-to-peer (P2P) program or other application with a shared network? When you use these applications, you put your system at risk for unknowingly downloading an infected file, including applications like Privacy Commander.
• Questionable websites: Did you visit a website that’s of questionable nature? When you visit malicious sites that are fishy and phishy, badware may be automatically downloaded and installed onto your computer, sometimes including applications like Privacy Commander. I recommend you use Firefox web browser, if you don’t already.

Understanding Privacy Commander

If you’re infected with Privacy Commander, you should know what you’re fighting. I’ll explain some definitions related to Privacy Commander.

Privacy Commander May Be Rogue Registry Cleaner

Rogue registry cleaners are registry cleaner software of questionable value. Rogue registry cleaners may not be proven to repair your PC’s registry issues, may popup fake alerts or create many false positives about your PC being damaged, or may use scare tactics to try to get you to purchase the application. Rogue registry repair software may be installed by a Trojan, come bundled with other software, or install itself through web browser security holes. You may have also downloaded the rogue registry cleaner from its own site.

Rogue Registry Cleaner Tactics

Typically, a rogue registry cleaner like Privacy Commander has one or more of the qualities listed below, which is why rogue registry cleaners are considered registry cleaning software of questionable value.

• False positives/fake alerts: Rogue registry cleaner may produce a large number of false positives or use fake alerts, noting that your computer has registry errors that don’t really exist.
• Copycat looks: Rogue registry cleaners may copy the look and feel of other legitimate registry cleaners. Often, rogue registry cleaners may appear as close clones of other rogue registry cleaner software.
• High pressure marketing: Rogue registry cleaners may use scare tactics or other aggressive advertising and marketing tactics to try to trick you into buying the rogue registry cleaner application. Often, rogue registry cleaners may produce false positives and fake alerts about your system being damaged.
• Poor detection/scan reporting: Rogue registry cleaner software may produce poor reports when it scans your PC. For example, a rogue registry cleaner may say your computer has 12 registry errors, but not specify which what types of errors. Rogue registry cleaners may also report that your PC has Fake Error #20, but not tell you which files or registry keys are specifically damaged.
• Weak scanning/detection: Rogue registry cleaner applications may not only poorly report on registry errors, but rogue registry cleaners may also poorly scan your PC. Rogue registry cleaner applications may skip over important folders and files of your computer that should be scanned to detect errors.

Did Privacy Commander use these tactics to trick you into buying Privacy Commander?