Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows 10 and 11 => Topic started by: Alternative Solution on November 29, 2018, 02:03:37 PM

Title: Downloaded PUP software! Should I format the hard drive?
Post by: Alternative Solution on November 29, 2018, 02:03:37 PM
I just got a new windows 10 computer, and wanted to make sure I updated all the drivers, so I got some freeware that would do it all for me.  It had good reviews on Cnet, so I went ahead and downloaded it. 

I ran Malwarebytes, and it identified this program as a PUP. I quaranteened all the alerts.  I then did the scan again and it found a couple more.  At this point I just decided to reset windows, getting rid of all my apps and files.

The reset gives you the option to also format the harddrive, but I wasn't sure what this would do-- if it would get rid of windows on the machine altogether, or if I'd lose any software that came with the computer.

So I elected to not format the drive.  I reinstalled windows after the reset, installed Avast and Malwarebytes, and they found no issues (except Avast did find a network issue, strangely, but didn't tell me what it was; just said it was now resolved). 

What should I do? Is it worth formatting the drive for a PUP issue? If I do, will I be able to get Windows 10 Pro back?
Title: Re: Downloaded PUP software! Should I format the hard drive?
Post by: patio on November 29, 2018, 02:22:07 PM
Pup's are relatively harmless...think of cookies on steroids...
Title: Re: Downloaded PUP software! Should I format the hard drive?
Post by: BC_Programmer on November 29, 2018, 03:36:38 PM
PUP = Potentially Unwanted Program. They are programs that are sometimes installed by other programs without user consent, and are typically (not always) of questionable quality or integrity.