GamesDesktop - How to remove

GamesDesktop is an annoying application listed as an adware due to several malicious actions that it performs. First of all, it will display advertisements on all of your web browsers. Secondly, it will collect your private information and may infiltrate other malware to your computer. Those reasons are more than enough for you to eliminate this unwanted application. If you keep it installed on your computer, you can face some severe problems. Since GamesDesktop gets added to the systems without users even being aware of that, you can notice it only when it’s already inside. However, it’s not a difficult thing to do, because all advertisements displayed by GamesDesktop are labeled with slogans “Ads by GamesDesktop” or “Brought to you by GamesDesktop”. If you have noticed this, your computer is definitely infected and you need to take actions right now to solve this problem. You might also experience problems related to this one, since there are plenty of similar infections, such as Wallpaper Changer.

If you want to remove GamesDesktop, you have two options – you can do it either manually or automatically. In case you have no previous experience in solving such problems, we recommend you to do this automatically. It’s a much easier and efficient way. Simply download and install one of these anti-malware programs: Spyhunter, Malwarebytes or StopZilla. It will automatically detect and remove the threat and also protect your computer from similar infections in the future. However, if you feel like you can get rid of GamesDesktop on your own, scroll down to the end of this article, there you will find our step-by-step GamesDesktop manual removal guide. We have developed it to assist you through this complicated process of the virus removal.

If you would like to learn more about specific features of GamesDesktop, please continue reading this article. In case you have some questions, don’t hesitate to ask them in the comments section below.

About GamesDesktop adware

It works as a browser add-on that can be added to all most popular web browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. Once installed, it will display various advertisements on all your web browsers. Those advertisements can be displayed in all most common forms, such as in-text, pop-up, pop-under, banner or contextual advertisements. A new tab or even window can be opened on your browser as well. Even though those advertisements look really appealing, we do not recommend to click on any of them. If you do so, you will be immediately redirected to other websites and this puts you in a danger. Your computer can get infected this way or in case you attempt to purchase something there you can get scammed and lose your hard earned money.

GamesDesktop is like an advertising network for cyber criminals. Since they are banned from all valid advertising networks, they use adware like this to promote their products and direct traffic to their websites. So basically, if you have GamesDesktop installed on your computer, various cyber criminals, such as hackers and scammers can reach you on a daily basis, right on your web browser.

 

Another unwanted attribute of GamesDesktop is data collection. This malicious application will collect all sorts of information about you, such as your browsing history, search queries, most visited sites, or even your IP and email addresses. The third parties adjust those advertisements according to the collected data and make them even more attractive to users, which increases the chances that they will click on one of those ads. And that’s the main goal of GamesDesktop because its owners get paid for every click you make on advertisements displayed to you.

Distribution Methods of GamesDesktop

Distribution methods of GamesDesktop are really common to all adware – it’s travelling bundled with other free applications, such as various media players or PDF generators. I.e. when you download and install some free application from an unreliable website, there is a chance that GamesDesktop will be installed alongside, without you even being aware of that.

To avoid installing unwanted software, be really attentive during the installation of freebies. Don’t skip any steps and always opt for a custom or advanced install mode. This will allow you to see all available options and make changes. Don’t rush, because some of the most important information can be displayed in a very tiny font and you don’t want to overlook that. If you see that some additional software that you are not aware of is being installed alongside – do not allow this to happen, because it can possibly be GamesDesktop or any other malware.

”Manual

How to remove GamesDesktop using Windows Control Panel

Many hijackers and adware like GamesDesktop install some of their components as regular Windows programs as well as additional software. This part of malware can be uninstalled from the Control Panel. To access it, do the following.

• Start→Control Panel (older Windows) or press Windows Key→Search and enter Control Panel and then press Enter (Windows 8, Windows 10).
• Choose Uninstall Program (if you don't see it, click in the upper right next to "View by" and select Category).
• Go through the list of programs and select entries related to GamesDesktop . You can click on "Name" or "Installed On" to reorder your programs and make GamesDesktop easier to find.
• Click the Uninstall button. If you're asked if you really want to remove the program, click Yes.
• In many cases anti-malware programs are better at detecting related parasites, thus I recommend installing Spyhunter to identify other programs that might be a part of this infection.

How to remove GamesDesktop from macOS

Delete GamesDesktop from your applications.

1. Open Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click Go.
3. Select Applications from the dropdown.
4. Find the GamesDesktop app.
5. Select it and right-click it (or hold the Ctrl and click the left mouse button).
6. In the dropdown, click Move to Bin/Trash. You might be asked to provide your login password.

TopRemove malicious extensions from Internet Explorer

• Press on the Gear icon→Manage Add-ons.
  
• Go through Toolbars and extensions. Remove everything related to GamesDesktop and items you do not know that are made not by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Oracle or Adobe.
  
• Close the Options.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to GamesDesktop, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Press on the Gear icon->Internet Options.
  
• Choose the Advanced tab and click on the Reset button.
  
• Select a “Delete personal settings” checkbox and click on the Reset button.
  
• Click on the Close button on the confirmation box, then close your browser.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopRemoving GamesDesktop from Chrome

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Google Chrome window. Select “Settings”.
  
• Click “Extensions” on the left menu bar.
• Go through the extensions list and remove programs you do not need, especially similar to GamesDesktop. Click on the trash bin icon next to GamesDesktop or other add-ons you want to remove.
  
• Press on the “Remove” button on the Confirmation window.
  
• If unsure, you can disable them temporarily.
  
• Restart Chrome.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to GamesDesktop, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on Chrome’s menu button (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.
  
• Scroll to the end of the page and click on the Reset settings button.
  
• Click on the Reset button on the confirmation box.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopRemoving GamesDesktop from Firefox

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (or press Ctrl+Shift+A on your keyboard).
  
• Go through Extensions and Addons list, remove everything GamesDesktop related and items you do not recognise. If you do not know the extension and it is not made by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, Oracle or Adobe then you probably do not need it.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to GamesDesktop, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla Firefox window. Click on the Help button.
  
• Choose Troubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

How to remove GamesDesktop from Microsoft Edge:Top

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Microsoft Edge window. Select “Extensions”.

• Go through the extensions list and remove programs you do not need, especially similar to GamesDesktop. Click on the "Remove" icon next to GamesDesktop or other add-ons you want to remove.

• Press on the “Remove” button on the Confirmation window.

• If unsure, you can disable them temporarily.

• Restart Microsoft Edge.

TopRemoving GamesDesktop from Safari (Mac OS X)

• Click on the Safari menu.
• Choose Preferences.
  
• Click on the Extensions Tab.
• Click on the Uninstall button near the GamesDesktop. Remove all other unknown or suspicious entries too. If you are not sure whether you need the extension or not, you can simply uncheck the Enable check-box to disable the extension temporarily.
  
• Restart Safari.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to GamesDesktop, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Reset Safari.
  
• Select which options you want to reset (usually all of them come preselected) and click on the Reset button.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.