ProW File Compressor looks like a normal utility for shrinking files, yet many users discover it already sitting on their PC – often as “ProWSetup.exe” – and see it keep running in Task Manager. Security scanners commonly tag it as a Trojan-horse or unwanted add-on installed without consent.
Instead of coming from a clear publisher or trusted store, it tends to hitch a ride with bundled installers and shady download chains. Once present, it can slow the machine, trigger pop-ups, and push browsers toward redirects and surprise settings that benefit advertisers, not you.
It may also dig in by dropping folders under Program Files (x86), creating startup helpers, and changing files or registry entries. Some people find the uninstall routine breaks, citing a corrupted unins000.dat, while the process stays persistent and disk space drains unusually fast.
We tested that SpyHunter successfully removes ProW File Compressor.exe* and we recommend using it. It will block ProW File Compressor.exe from reinstalling itself and it will make sure your device is clean from any malware.
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Because it often arrives with other adware or hijacker components, cleanup can be finicky. We have dealt with similar threats, including Watchdog and DSRSearch, so the same removal pattern applies here. This guide walks through the removal; if that’s too much hassle, SpyHunter 5 can automatically remove unwanted programs and viruses.
ProW File Compressor Removal Guide
Start with Windows’ built-in uninstall route before you begin hunting files by hand. Removing ProW File Compressor from Apps & Features is quick and low-risk, and it can remove the main entry if it registered itself like a standard program. Even if leftovers remain, this first pass reduces clutter and makes later checks easier to verify.
Uninstall ProW File Compressor via Apps & Features (quick check)
- 1.1First, check whether ProW File Compressor has a normal uninstall entry: open the Start Menu, select Settings, and open the area where Windows lists installed apps and default features.
- 1.2In Settings, go to Apps. Use the search box or filters (name, size, install date) to narrow the list to anything you do not remember adding.
- 1.3Sort by Installation date so the newest items appear first. This makes it easier to review what showed up around the time the problems started.
- 1.4Select a suspicious entry, click Uninstall, and follow the prompts to completion. If the uninstaller mentions extra components or add-ons, do not skip those screens.
- 1.5After that, open C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Programs. Look for leftover folders or executables tied to what you removed, and take note of any unusual names for later checks.
- 1.6If a leftover folder is clearly related to the removed entry, delete it. Restart Windows afterward to clear file locks and confirm the same items do not reappear on the next boot.
After the restart, confirm the entry stays removed and the system runs normally. If you still notice unknown folders, startup behavior, or suspicious activity, continue with the deeper checks below to remove hidden components and eliminate common relaunch points.
OVERVIEW:
How to Remove ProW File Compressor Completely
If a suspicious process is still running, identify its footprint before you start deleting random items. With ProW File Compressor active, you can check the file location, parent process, and likely launch trigger, which makes persistence much easier to remove. This context reduces guesswork and helps you confirm you are targeting the right components.
1. Get ready for the ProW File Compressor cleanup
- 1.1Turn on hidden items so you can see files that ProW File Compressor may have tucked away. Search for Folder Options from the Start Menu, open it, switch to the View tab, and enable Show hidden files, folders, and drives. Hidden paths are common stash points.
- 1.2Locked files can slow you down, so install LockHunter to remove items Windows reports as in use. It adds a right-click option, shows what is holding a file open, and can delete stubborn executables or DLLs after you unlock them.
If you prefer not to use extra utilities, most of the same actions can be done manually. When Windows says a file is “in use,” a lock-release tool simply helps you remove it without repeated restarts or trial-and-error deletions.
LockHunter is free and usually installs quickly. Once it is installed, you can open it from the right-click menu on a file or folder that refuses to delete.
Stop ProW File Compressor Processes in Task Manager
Ending one executable is rarely enough because helper components can relaunch it through startup entries, scheduled tasks, or small background launchers. The steps below help you locate the running file behind ProW File Compressor, delete the folder it starts from, and then end the process so it cannot respawn while you continue cleanup.
2. End active ProW File Compressor processes and remove their files
- 2.1Use process details to understand what ProW File Compressor is currently running. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and review apps and background processes for anything unfamiliar or unusually busy.
- 2.2If the simplified view opens, click More details. The expanded view shows extra columns like publisher and startup impact, which makes suspicious entries easier to spot.
- 2.3Sort by CPU or Memory and watch for names you do not recognize or steady high usage. Malware often hides behind generic labels or random strings.
- 2.4Right-click a questionable process and choose Open file location. The folder path and file name are often enough to tell whether it belongs to software you installed.
- 2.5Try deleting the process folder. If Windows blocks the removal, open LockHunter, select What’s locking this file?, unlock it, and delete the file and its folder from within the tool.
- 2.6Return to Task Manager and use End task on the same process. Ending it after the file is removed reduces immediate relaunch attempts while you continue the cleanup.
We tested that SpyHunter successfully removes ProW File Compressor.exe* and we recommend using it. It will block ProW File Compressor.exe from reinstalling itself and it will make sure your device is clean from any malware.
Try Free For 7 Days*
Buy now15% OFF if you buy straight without trial.
Remove Remaining ProW File Compressor Files
Many threats persist by placing small launchers in startup folders and spreading helper files across common program and user locations. Clearing these areas removes the pieces that can rebuild the infection after you sign in. In this section, you will trace and delete leftovers tied to ProW File Compressor while leaving standard Windows components untouched.
4. Delete startup and program folders that can relaunch ProW File Compressor
- 4.1Begin with two Startup folders often abused by ProW File Compressor: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup and C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. Delete unfamiliar shortcuts or executables you did not put there.
- 4.2In both Startup folders, keep desktop.ini and remove other suspicious items. If Windows refuses, use LockHunter to unlock and delete them.
- 4.3Then check common install locations – C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86). Remove newly created, empty, or oddly named folders that do not match software you installed.
- 4.4Review user-level paths too: C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\, C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Programs, and C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. These are common places for launchers, updater stubs, or scripts.
- 4.5Clear temporary files: open C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Temp, press Ctrl + A to select all, delete the contents, and empty the Recycle Bin.
Remove Suspicious ProW File Compressor Scheduled Tasks
Scheduled tasks are often used for persistence because they can run at logon, on a timer, or after system events with no visible window. By reviewing each task’s Actions, you can see the exact file path and arguments it launches, then remove the trigger that keeps ProW File Compressor returning after cleanup.
4. Disable scheduled tasks that restart ProW File Compressor
- 4.1Open Task Scheduler to locate triggers that can relaunch ProW File Compressor. Search from the Start Menu, open it, and expand the Task Scheduler Library to review tasks for your account and system folders.
- 4.2Double-click a task to open Properties. Check Actions to see the file or command it runs and any parameters included.
- 4.3Prioritize tasks that reference user locations like AppData or Roaming, especially with names you do not recognize. Legitimate vendor tasks usually point to known program folders.
- 4.4If a task looks suspicious, copy the full path shown under Actions, then delete the task in Task Scheduler to stop it from running automatically.
- 4.5Go to the copied path and delete the referenced executable or script. Removing the task alone can still leave a payload that gets triggered another way.
- 4.6Repeat this check for every folder under the Task Scheduler Library, including any subfolders created by installers. Persistence is often hidden behind generic names.
Remove ProW File Compressor Persistence Entries in the Windows Registry
Even after the visible files are gone, Registry values can still point to missing executables, enforce policies, or add autostart hooks that rebuild components. Work carefully and delete only entries you can clearly link to unwanted behavior, so legitimate services remain intact. The aim is to remove remaining startup triggers tied to ProW File Compressor without damaging normal Windows keys.
5. Remove ProW File Compressor remnants using Registry Editor
- 5.1Open Registry Editor to check autostart data that may keep ProW File Compressor active: press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
- 5.2Press Ctrl + F and search for the exact name you saw earlier. This often reveals leftover keys such as services, shell entries, or policy values.
- 5.3When you find a match, select the key in the left pane and delete it. Continue with F3 until no further entries are found across all hives.
- 5.4Repeat the same search for any other suspicious app names you identified during cleanup. Removing their traces can stop helper components from restoring what you removed.
- 5.5Run one final search for the same name to confirm no entries remain. A leftover value pointing to an old path can sometimes trigger recreation at startup.
- 5.6Review these common autostart and policy locations:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\Setup
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services - 5.7In each location, review the right pane for values that point to unknown executables or suspicious directories. Delete the specific value only, so you do not impact valid components.
Restart Windows to confirm the system boots cleanly, then watch for relaunches, pop-ups, or unexplained CPU and memory spikes. Also verify browsers and core apps behave normally. If issues continue, run an offline scanner to check for hidden drivers, repair altered settings, and ensure no tasks or startup entries can bring ProW File Compressor back.