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Driver Tonic (by PC Tonics, Inc) is a suspicious driver update tool, which is known for its questionable and not-so-honest license promotion techniques. It typically uses scare tactics to force the user buy the full software version to clean non-existent computer problems. Many users who discover this program on their Windows computers start wondering whether it is a safe and useful program. It is essentially similar to programs like Win Tonic, Driver Support or Mac Auto Fixer.
Driver Tonic is advertised as “advanced driver updater software” and “the best driver updater programmed to enhance the performance of your system.” However, we doubt that these statements are trustworthy.
To begin with, we’d like to point out that it is a paid product, which costs $9.95/monthly or cheaper if you purchase the subscription for a longer period instantly. It also promises to include web protection and invalid registry scan with your purchase.
However, it seems that the majority of users who ended up with this application on their windows cannot remember even looking for Driver Tonic download. Therefore, questions about its safety and distribution methods arise quickly.
Name: | Driver Tonic |
Developer: | PC Tonics, Inc |
Related apps: | Win Toner, Quick Mac Care. Might install Ad Blocker Pro |
Detection names: | Program.Unwanted.3915 (Dr.Web), Application.PCFixer (A) (Emsisoft), PUP.Optional.DriverTonic (Malwarebytes), Win32/GT32SupportGeeks.V Potentially Unwanted (ESET-NOD32) |
Behavior: | Displays ads for premium product version; Might show false-positive detections. |
Distribution: | Software bundling, online advertisements |
Removal: | Remove manually or use a trustworthy antivirus software |
If you came here because you remember installing and now cannot uninstall Driver Tonic or whether you are looking for information about its safety, continue reading the in-depth review below. We have also added a comprehensive removal guide at the end.
We have decided to give Driver Tonic a go on a completely up-to-date and clean Windows system which one of our geeks uses daily. The first thing we noticed is an ad for Win Tonic. Annoying, to say at least. We declined this offer.
Interestingly, the next ad suggests installing Avast Antivirus. We decline this offer as well and hope to proceed to the installation of the actual product we requested. Finally, the installation starts and finishes quickly enough. Of course, we receive the first pop-up with a 20% discount offer if we decide to upgrade to a paid version.
The next thing that happens is Windows blocks dtn.exe process with a red User Account Control warning, saying that it was blocked for our protection. Doesn’t look like a safe app to run at all.
The next thing we noticed is a complete computer slowdown. Whenever we try to click on Driver Tonic icon in the menu bar, it simply freezes. Again, very annoying.
Once we manage to get this app up and running, it starts scanning the system. Surprise – once the Driver Tonic scan reaches 25% completion, we receive an ad urging us to upgrade to Pro version, otherwise, we’ll be able to scan and fix only a quarter of the system and problems.
For an inexperienced computer user, it can be hard to decide, especially because we still do not know the system status.
The software may display pop-ups informing about outdated drivers, and you must be aware that some of them can be false-positives. Remember that you can always check and update your drivers for free via Windows Device Manager, and you definitely do not need to pay money to do that. However, if you find using automatic programs useful, make sure you choose reliable ones and download them from trustworthy online sources only.
We decided to remove Driver Tonic from the computer. In fact, we didn’t have any problems with that. All we had to do was:
Checking Driver Tonic executive file on VirusTotal, online malware-detection and analysis tool, brought us quite interesting results. Analyzing them gave us a brief idea about the program.
Driver Tonic is recognized and detected by 4 security programs and mostly identified as a potentially unwanted application. Therefore, it cannot be called a virus as it does not carry out malicious tasks on the computer system.
However, as mentioned earlier, it might display quite dishonest pop-up messages that can influence your decision to buy the Pro version of the driver update tool. Therefore, the best way to keep yourself safe and sound is to keep this software away from your PC.
Driver Tonic removal can become a complicated task for inexperienced computer users. If you have a hard time uninstalling this quite useless app, check our tips below.
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Driver Tonic Removal Tutorial
To remove the unwanted program from your computer, use these instructions below to uninstall associated programs or apps from your Windows or Mac computer. Then scroll down for instructions how to clean each affected web browser individually.
Windows 10/8.1/8 users
Click on the Windows logo to open Windows menu. In search, type control panel and select the matching result. Then go to Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users
First, open Windows menu by clicking on the icon in the lower left corner of the screen. Then go to Control Panel and find section called Programs. Click on the Uninstall a program option under it.
Windows XP users
In Windows XP, click Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.
Uninstall unwanted programs
Once in Programs and Features, look through the list of installed programs. You can click on Installed on tab to sort the programs by their installation date.
Right-click on suspicious programs you can't remember installing and choose Uninstall. Follow instructions provided by the Uninstall Wizard, click Next and finally Finish to uninstall the unwanted program from your PC.
Remove Driver Tonic from Mac
Remove using INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Mac (includes scanning for iOS devices). The one-of-a-kind security suite provides VirusBarrier X9 real-time protection against Mac and Windows-based malware, removes existing threats and scans for malware in popular e-mail clients. Includes NetBarrier X9, an intelligent firewall for home, work and public connections.
Remove Driver Tonic from Google Chrome
Remove suspicious Chrome extensions
Change Start Page settings
Change default search settings
Remove push notifications from Chrome
If you want to get rid of the annoying ads and so-called push-notifications viruses, you must identify their components and clean your browser. You can easily remove ads from Chrome by following these steps:
Reset Google Chrome browser
Remove Driver Tonic from Mozilla Firefox
Remove unwanted add-ons from Firefox
Change Firefox Homepage
Alter preferences in Firefox
Remove annoying push notifications from Firefox
Suspicious sites that ask to enable push notifications gain access to Mozilla's settings and can deliver intrusive advertisements when browsing the Internet. Therefore, you should remove access to your browser by following these simple steps:
Reset Mozilla Firefox
Remove Driver Tonic from Microsoft Edge
Remove suspicious extensions:
Change MS Edge Start Page and default search engine:
Turn off push notifications in Edge
If you keep receiving pop-up ads or other promotional content while browsing on Microsoft Edge, your browser might be corrupted by a potentially unwanted program (PUP). You have to clean it — follow these easy instructions:
Clear browsing data
Remove Driver Tonic from Safari
Uninstall suspicious Safari extensions
Change Safari Homepage and default search engine
Remove push notifications on Safari
Some suspicious websites can try to corrupt your Safari by asking to enable push notifications. If you have accidentally agreed, your browser will be flooded with various intrusive advertisements and pop-ups. You can get rid of them by following this quick guide:
Reset Safari
Remove Driver Tonic from Internet Explorer
TIP: If you are still using IE, we strongly advise using Microsoft Edge or a different browser because Microsoft is no longer providing technical or security support for IE browser.
Remove suspicious extensions from IE
Change default search provider and remove suspicious ones
Change IE Home Page
Block pop-up notifications on Internet Explorer
Suspicious websites can gain access to your Internet Explorer browser through push notifications. If you enable them even by accident, you will start receiving numerous annoying ads and other advertising content while browsing. The easiest way to remove push-notification viruses is by performing the following steps:
Reset Internet Explorer
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Removing spyware and malware is one step towards cybersecurity. To protect yourself against ever-evolving threats, we strongly recommend purchasing a Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which provides security based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Includes ransomware protection. See pricing options and protect yourself now.
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Norbert Webb is the head of Geek’s Advice team. He is the chief editor of the website who controls the quality of content published. The man also loves reading cybersecurity news, testing new software and sharing his insights on them. Norbert says that following his passion for information technology was one of the best decisions he has ever made. “I don’t feel like working while I’m doing something I love.” However, the geek has other interests, such as snowboarding and traveling.
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View Comments
After several attempts to uninstall Driver Tonic, it finally worked. I couldn't recall installing this app on my computer. Thank you for the help. Those ads from this useless program were driving me crazy!