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General discussion

Advanced System Optimizer - a malware?

Mar 31, 2005 7:56PM PST

Hi,

Anyone heard about a program called - Advanced System Optimizer from Sysweak (http://www.systweak.com/)? Is it a malware?

I recently went to the site and downloaded and installed their trial version of Advanced System Optimizer which turned out to be the biggest mistake that I ever made in many years.

I only spent about 10 minutes on the software from downloading, installation, testing, and removing it. But even the program has been removed, there is one file name - ShellExt.dll still in the folder and has been locked up that can't be deleted.

I even tried to remove it in safe mode and without any success. I wrote an email to the company and asked for assistance and no response.

I was curious about why this file still remains and being used even the main program has been removed? Is it doing something that I don't know?

So I have two questions:

(1) Has anyone heard about this company and application before? Is it a legitimate company or another spyware producer?

(2) Can anyone tell me how to remove this file? I cannot use Add or Remove programs as the main program has been removed. I can not delete it since it's being locked up both in normal Windows mode and safe mode. I can not see anything similar in msconfig. What else can I do?

Many thanks in advance.

Discussion is locked

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To delete the undeletable...
Mar 31, 2005 8:50PM PST

Look up MOVEONBOOT to delete such on the next boot.

I haven't read anything about your tested product, but rarely need such a tool (system optimizer).

Bob

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Delete
Apr 1, 2005 7:54AM PST

Hi,

Thanks for reply. You're right that I don't need a system optimizer, but I was curious about the new system's performance as I had a major upgrade.

Anyway, I assume MOVEONBOOT is a utilit? Let me know if it's incorrect.

Thanks.

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Move On Boot
Apr 1, 2005 12:27PM PST

Yes, it's a fine utility. I used it just last night to get rid of a pesky app. The program had been un-installed but I couldn't get it out of the Add/Remove place on Win. XP.

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Thanks and got response from systweak as well
Apr 2, 2005 8:21AM PST

Hi,

Thanks for the tip and I will download it and keep it just in case I'll need it again.

For the time being, I finally got response from Systweak, the maker of the software for how to remove the file and folder. Cut and paste it to desktop and delete it from there. I tried it and it worked, but to be hoest - I don't know if there are any adverse effects now or in the future.

And I still don't know why this file is used as no explainations have been given by the provider.

I've been very carefuly about "trusting" reviews and using new utilities and have not installed any "new" ones for many years.

I guess this kind of things make people can't trust new comers even they are legitimate company.

Thanks and hope my lesson will help others as well.