How to Disable Wind Security Pro: A Comprehensive Guide
Wind Security Pro is often bundled with other software or downloaded unintentionally, leading many users to seek ways to remove or disable it. While it may present itself as a legitimate security tool, its behavior often raises concerns, prompting users to look for uninstall or disable instructions. This comprehensive guide provides detailed steps and information to help you disable or remove Wind Security Pro effectively.
## Understanding Wind Security Pro
Before diving into the disabling process, it’s important to understand what Wind Security Pro is and why you might want to remove it. Often categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP), Wind Security Pro typically gets installed without the user’s explicit consent. It may come bundled with freeware or shareware downloaded from the internet. Once installed, it might display aggressive alerts, fake scan results, and prompt you to purchase a full version to fix non-existent issues. This behavior is characteristic of scareware tactics aimed at tricking users into spending money.
**Common Characteristics of Wind Security Pro:**
* **Bundled Installation:** Often installs alongside other software without clear consent.
* **Aggressive Alerts:** Displays frequent and alarming security alerts.
* **Fake Scan Results:** Reports exaggerated or fabricated threats to scare users.
* **Pushy Sales Tactics:** Urges users to purchase the full version to resolve fabricated issues.
* **System Performance Impact:** Can slow down your computer’s performance.
* **Difficulty to Uninstall:** Often resists standard uninstall procedures.
If you’re experiencing these issues, disabling or removing Wind Security Pro is a sensible step to take.
## Why Disable Wind Security Pro?
Several valid reasons motivate users to disable Wind Security Pro:
* **False Positives:** The program often flags legitimate files and programs as threats, disrupting normal computer usage.
* **System Performance Issues:** It consumes significant system resources, leading to slowdowns and sluggish performance.
* **Unwanted Pop-ups:** The constant barrage of pop-up alerts is disruptive and annoying.
* **Questionable Security Value:** Its effectiveness as a security tool is doubtful, and it might even introduce vulnerabilities.
* **Privacy Concerns:** Like many PUPs, Wind Security Pro may collect and transmit user data without consent.
## Methods to Disable Wind Security Pro
Here are several methods to disable or remove Wind Security Pro, ranging from simple to more advanced techniques. Try them in order, starting with the simplest, and progress to more complex methods if necessary.
### Method 1: Using the Windows Uninstall Feature
The first and simplest approach is to use the built-in Windows uninstall feature.
**Steps:**
1. **Close Wind Security Pro:** Make sure Wind Security Pro is not running. Look for its icon in the system tray (the area near the clock in the lower-right corner of your screen). If you see it, right-click and select “Exit” or “Close.” You may need to open Task Manager to ensure that all related processes are terminated (see Method 3 for Task Manager instructions).
2. **Open the Control Panel:**
* **Windows 10/11:** Click the Start button, type “Control Panel,” and press Enter.
* **Windows 7/8:** Click the Start button and select “Control Panel.”
3. **Navigate to Programs and Features:** In the Control Panel, select “Programs” and then “Programs and Features.” If you’re viewing the Control Panel in category view, click “Uninstall a program” under the “Programs” section.
4. **Locate Wind Security Pro:** In the list of installed programs, find “Wind Security Pro.” Scroll through the list carefully, as the name might be slightly different, or it might be listed under a related name.
5. **Uninstall the Program:**
* Select “Wind Security Pro” from the list.
* Click the “Uninstall” button at the top of the list. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process. You may be asked to confirm the uninstallation or provide a reason for removing the program.
6. **Restart Your Computer:** After the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer to ensure that all traces of the program are removed from memory.
### Method 2: Using Third-Party Uninstallers
If the standard Windows uninstaller fails to remove Wind Security Pro completely, consider using a third-party uninstaller. These tools are designed to remove programs and their associated files, registry entries, and settings more thoroughly than the built-in uninstaller.
**Popular Third-Party Uninstallers:**
* **Revo Uninstaller:** A powerful uninstaller that offers a free version with basic features and a paid version with advanced features like real-time installation monitoring.
* **IObit Uninstaller:** Another popular choice that can remove stubborn programs and clean up leftover files and registry entries.
* **Geek Uninstaller:** A lightweight and portable uninstaller that forces uninstallation for programs that resist removal.
**Steps (Using Revo Uninstaller as an Example):**
1. **Download and Install Revo Uninstaller:** Download the free version of Revo Uninstaller from its official website (www.revouninstaller.com) and install it on your computer.
2. **Launch Revo Uninstaller:** Open Revo Uninstaller after installation.
3. **Locate Wind Security Pro:** In the list of installed programs, find “Wind Security Pro.”
4. **Uninstall the Program:**
* Select “Wind Security Pro” from the list.
* Click the “Uninstall” button at the top.
* Revo Uninstaller will first create a system restore point (recommended) in case anything goes wrong.
* It will then run the program’s built-in uninstaller (if available). Follow the on-screen prompts.
5. **Scan for Leftover Files and Registry Entries:** After the built-in uninstaller finishes (or if there is no built-in uninstaller), Revo Uninstaller will offer to scan for leftover files and registry entries. Choose the “Moderate” scan mode for a good balance between thoroughness and speed.
6. **Delete Leftover Files and Registry Entries:** After the scan completes, Revo Uninstaller will display a list of leftover files and registry entries. Select all items and click “Delete” to remove them.
7. **Restart Your Computer:** Restart your computer after removing all leftover files and registry entries.
### Method 3: Using Task Manager to End Processes
Before attempting to uninstall Wind Security Pro, it’s crucial to ensure that all its associated processes are terminated. Task Manager allows you to view and end running processes.
**Steps:**
1. **Open Task Manager:**
* Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc simultaneously.
* Alternatively, right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager.”
* Or, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select “Task Manager.”
2. **Locate Wind Security Pro Processes:** In Task Manager, go to the “Processes” or “Details” tab (depending on your Windows version). Look for any processes related to Wind Security Pro. These processes might have names like “WindSecurityPro.exe,” or similar variations. Sort the processes by name to easily locate related entries.
3. **End the Processes:**
* Select each Wind Security Pro process one by one.
* Click the “End Task” button in the lower-right corner of the Task Manager window.
* Confirm that you want to end the process if prompted. You may need to click “End process tree” if the process has child processes.
4. **Repeat:** Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all Wind Security Pro processes are terminated.
After ending the processes, proceed with Method 1 or Method 2 to uninstall the program.
### Method 4: Removing Startup Items
Wind Security Pro might be configured to launch automatically when you start your computer. Preventing it from starting automatically can stop its intrusive behavior.
**Steps:**
1. **Open Task Manager:** Use one of the methods described in Method 3 to open Task Manager.
2. **Go to the Startup Tab:** Click on the “Startup” tab in Task Manager. (In older versions of Windows, this functionality might be found in the System Configuration utility, accessed by typing “msconfig” in the Run dialog.)
3. **Locate Wind Security Pro:** In the list of startup programs, find any entries related to Wind Security Pro. The “Publisher” column can help you identify the program.
4. **Disable the Startup Item:**
* Select the Wind Security Pro entry.
* Click the “Disable” button in the lower-right corner of the Task Manager window.
5. **Restart Your Computer:** Restart your computer to apply the changes. Wind Security Pro should no longer start automatically.
### Method 5: Editing the Windows Registry (Advanced Users Only)
**Warning:** Editing the Windows Registry can be risky if not done correctly. Incorrect modifications can cause system instability or even prevent Windows from starting. It’s highly recommended to back up the registry before making any changes. Only proceed with this method if you are comfortable with editing the registry.
**Steps:**
1. **Back Up the Registry:**
* Press Win+R to open the Run dialog.
* Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
* In the Registry Editor, go to “File” > “Export.”
* Choose a location to save the backup file, give it a name, and select “All” under “Export range.”
* Click “Save.”
2. **Locate and Delete Wind Security Pro Registry Keys:**
* Use the “Edit” > “Find” (or Ctrl+F) function to search for entries related to “Wind Security Pro,” “WindSecurityPro,” or the program’s publisher name. Be very careful and only delete keys and values that are clearly associated with Wind Security Pro.
* Common locations to check include:
* `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\`
* `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\`
* `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run`
* `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall`
* **Important:** Before deleting anything, double-check the key or value to ensure it belongs to Wind Security Pro. Deleting incorrect entries can cause problems.
* To delete a key or value, right-click on it and select “Delete.”
* Confirm the deletion when prompted.
3. **Repeat the Search:** Repeat the search (Ctrl+F) to find any remaining entries related to Wind Security Pro and delete them.
4. **Restart Your Computer:** Restart your computer after making changes to the registry.
### Method 6: Using Malware Removal Tools
Sometimes, Wind Security Pro behaves like malware and is difficult to remove using standard methods. In such cases, using a dedicated malware removal tool can be helpful.
**Recommended Malware Removal Tools:**
* **Malwarebytes:** A popular and effective malware removal tool that can detect and remove a wide range of threats, including PUPs like Wind Security Pro.
* **HitmanPro:** Another powerful malware scanner that uses a cloud-based approach to identify and remove threats.
* **AdwCleaner:** Designed specifically to remove adware, PUPs, and browser hijackers.
**Steps (Using Malwarebytes as an Example):**
1. **Download and Install Malwarebytes:** Download the free version of Malwarebytes from its official website (www.malwarebytes.com) and install it on your computer.
2. **Run a Scan:** Open Malwarebytes and click the “Scan” button to start a system scan. The scan might take some time to complete, depending on the size of your hard drive and the number of files on your system.
3. **Review and Quarantine Threats:** After the scan completes, Malwarebytes will display a list of detected threats. Review the list carefully to ensure that Wind Security Pro and any related files are selected. Click the “Quarantine” button to move the selected threats to quarantine.
4. **Restart Your Computer:** Malwarebytes might prompt you to restart your computer to complete the removal process. Restart your computer when prompted.
5. **Run Another Scan:** After restarting, run another scan with Malwarebytes to ensure that all traces of Wind Security Pro have been removed.
## Preventing Future Installations
To prevent Wind Security Pro from being installed again in the future, follow these tips:
* **Be Careful When Downloading Software:** Only download software from reputable sources. Avoid downloading from third-party websites or file-sharing sites.
* **Read Installation Agreements Carefully:** Pay close attention to the installation agreements when installing software. Look for checkboxes that allow you to opt out of installing bundled software.
* **Choose Custom Installation:** When installing software, choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation option. This allows you to see exactly what is being installed and deselect any unwanted programs.
* **Keep Your Software Up to Date:** Keep your operating system, web browser, and other software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can prevent malware and PUPs from being installed.
* **Use a Reputable Antivirus Program:** Install a reputable antivirus program and keep it up to date. A good antivirus program can detect and block malware and PUPs before they are installed.
* **Be Wary of Pop-up Ads:** Avoid clicking on pop-up ads or links that promise free software or security scans. These are often used to trick users into installing malware or PUPs.
## Conclusion
Disabling or removing Wind Security Pro can be a frustrating experience, but by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively eliminate the program and prevent its reinstallation. Remember to be cautious when downloading software and to use a reputable antivirus program to protect your computer from future threats. If you are not comfortable with any of the advanced methods, consider seeking help from a qualified computer technician.