Remove Expext/MetaDirect from Chrome, Firefox, IE
Threat's profile 
Name of the threat:Expext/MetaDirect
Command or file name:pruthct.exe
Threat type:Hijacker
Affected OS:Win32/Win64 (Windows XP, Vista/7, 8/8.1, Windows 10)
Affected browsers:Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari
Converts web browser's default search page to a ordained WWW site without consumer agreement. Some Expext/MetaDirects are bad-quality, they waste too much machine resources and conflict with installed programs. Some honorable programs and browser plug-ins may be also injured by Expext/MetaDirect working. They open buyer's personal information to advertisers and even hackers. Powerful antiviruss include real-time monitors that avert the setting up of known risks and unauthorized platform differentiation. These instructions allow the user to by yourself remove all the files, directories, registry entries and other objects that belong to a Expext/MetaDirect.
Expext/MetaDirect intrusion method
Usually Expext/MetaDirect comes bundled with freeware downloads. During installation you can be offered to change default homepage and search engine to Expext/MetaDirect. Expext/MetaDirect copies its file(s) to your hard disk. Its typical file name is pruthct.exe
. Then it creates new startup key with name Expext/MetaDirect and value pruthct.exe
. You can also find it in your processes list with name pruthct.exe
or Expext/MetaDirect. Also, it can create folder with name Expext/MetaDirect under C:\Program Files\ or C:\ProgramData. If you have further questions about Expext/MetaDirect, please ask below. You can use programs to remove Expext/MetaDirect from your browsers below.
Download Removal Tool
Download this advanced removal tool and solve problems with Expext/MetaDirect and pruthct.exe
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* WiperSoft Antispyware was developed to remove threats like Expext/MetaDirect in automatic mode. Remover has active module to protect PC from hijackers, trojans, ransomware and other viruses. Trial version of Wipersoft provides detection of computer viruses for FREE. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Wipersoft.
Features of WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool
- Removes all files created by viruses.
- Removes all registry entries created by viruses.
- You can activate System and Network Guards and forget about malware.
- Can fix browser problems and protect browser settings.
- Removal is guaranteed - if Removal Tool fails ask for FREE support.
- 24/7 Spyware Helpdesk Support included into the package.
Download Spyhunter Remediation Tool by Enigma Software
Download antimalware designed specifically to remove threats like Expext/MetaDirect and pruthct.exe
(download of fix will start immediately):
Download AntiMalware to remove Expext/MetaDirect
Features of Spyhunter Remediation Tool
- Removes all files created by Expext/MetaDirect.
- Removes all registry entries created by Expext/MetaDirect.
- Fixes browser redirection and hijack if needed.
- "Toolbar Remover" tool will help you get rid of unwanted browser extensions.
- Removal is guaranteed - if Spyhunter Remediation Tool fails ask for FREE support.
- 24/7 Helpdesk Support and 5 hours of Remote Support via GoToAssist included into the package.
Let our support team solve your problem with Expext/MetaDirect and remove Expext/MetaDirect right now!
Submit support ticket below and describe your problem with Expext/MetaDirect. Support team will offer you solution in several minutes and give a step-by-step instruction on how to remove Expext/MetaDirect. Trouble-free tech support with over 10 years experience removing malware.
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Threat's description and solution are developed by
Security Stronghold security team.
Here you can also learn:
How to remove Expext/MetaDirect manually
This problem can be solved manually by deleting all registry keys and files connected with Expext/MetaDirect, removing it from startup list and unregistering all corresponding DLLs. Additionally missing DLL's should be restored from distribution in case they are corrupted by Expext/MetaDirect.
To get rid of Expext/MetaDirect, you should:
Warning: you should delete only those files which checksums are listed as malicious. There may be valid files with the same names in your system. We recommend you to use WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool for safe problem solution.
**Trial version of Wipersoft provides detection of computer viruses for FREE. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Wipersoft.
- Key: software\classes\clsid\{23bc1ccf-4be7-497f-b154-6ada68425fbb}
Value: @
- Key: software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer\browser helper objects
\{23bc1ccf-4be7-497f-b154-6ada68425fbb}
Value: @
- Key:
software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer\browser helper objects
Value: {23bc1ccf-4be7-497f-b154-6ada68425fbb}
Warning: if value is listed for some registry entries, you should only clear these values and leave keys with such values untouched. We recommend you to use WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool for safe problem solution.
Uninstall Expext/MetaDirect related programs from Control Panel
We recommend you to check list of installed programs and search for Expext/MetaDirect entry or other unknown and suspicious programs. Below are instructions for different version if Windows. In some cases adware programs are protected by malicious service or process and it will not allow you to uninstall it. If Expext/MetaDirect won't uninstall or gives you error message that you do not have sufficient rights to do this perform below instructions in Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking or use WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool.
Windows 10
- Click on the Start menu and choose Settings
- Then click on System and choose Apps & Features in the left column
- Find Expext/MetaDirect under in the list and click Uninstall button near it.
- Confirm by clicking Uninstall button in opened window if necessary.
Windows 8/8.1
- Right click on the bottom left corner of the screen (while on your desktop)
- In the menu choose Control Panel
- Click Uninstall a program under Programs and Features.
- Locate programs that can be connected with Expext/MetaDirect or other related suspicious program.
- Click Uninstall button.
- Wait until uninstall process is complete.
Windows 7/Vista
- Click Start and choose Control Panel.
- Choose Programs and Features and Uninstall a program.
- In the list of installed programs find entries related to Expext/MetaDirect
- Click Uninstall button.
Windows XP
- Click Start
- In the menu choose Control Panel
- Choose Add / Remove Programs.
- Find Expext/MetaDirect related entries.
- Click Remove button.
Remove Expext/MetaDirect related extensions from your browsers
Expext/MetaDirect in some cases can be accompanied with browsers extension. We recommend you to use free option Toolbar Remover under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool to remove unwanted browser extensions related to Expext/MetaDirect. We recommend you to perform scan your PC with Removal Tool or Spyhunter Remediation Tool. To remove extenions from your browsers manually do the following:
- While in Internet Explorer click cogwheel icon in the top right corner
- In the menu choose the Manage Add-ons
- Select Toolbar and Extension tab.
- Choose add-on possibly related to Expext/MetaDirect or other related adware BHO.
- Click Disable button.
Warning: This option will only disable unwanted plugin. For effective Expext/MetaDirect removal use WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool.
- Start Google Chrome.
- In the address bar type chrome://extensions/
- In the list of add-ons find related to Expext/MetaDirect and click recycle bin icon.
- Confirm Expext/MetaDirect removal.
- Open Firefox
- In the address bar type about:addons
- Click Extensions tab.
- In the list of extension locate ones related to Expext/MetaDirect.
- Click Remove button near it.
Reset browsers search and homepage settings
Expext/MetaDirect can affect your browsers which results in browser redirection or search hijack. We recommend you to use free option Reset Browsers under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool to reset all the browsers at once. Mention that you need to remove all files and kill all processes belonging to Expext/MetaDirect before doing this. To reset your browsers manually and restore your homepage perform the following steps:
- If you use Windows XP, click Start, and then click Run. Type the following in the Open box without quotes, and press Enter: "inetcpl.cpl"
- If you use Windows 7 or Windows Vista, click Start. Type the following in the Search box without quotes, and press Enter: "inetcpl.cpl"
- Click the Advanced tab
- In Reset Internet Explorer settings, click Reset. Click Reset in opened window again.
- Select Delete personal settings checkbox to remove browsing history, search providers, homepage
- After Internet Explorer finishes resetting, click Close in the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box
Warning: In case this option will not work use free option Reset Browsers under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool.
- Go to the installation folder of Google Chrome: C:\Users\"your username"\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\User Data.
- In the User Data folder, look for a file named as Default and rename it to DefaultBackup.
- Launch Google Chrome and a new clean Default file will be created.
Warning: This option might not work if in Google Chrome you use online synchronization between PCs. In this case use free option Reset Browsers under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool.
- Open Firefox
- Go to Help > Troubleshooting Information in menu.
- Click the Reset Firefox button.
- After Firefox is done, it will show a window and create folder on the desktop. Click Finish.
Warning: This option will also clean all your account passwords for all websites. If you don't want it use free option Reset Browsers under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool.
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