This article has been created in order to help you to understand what is the Folder Share adware program and how to permanently remove it from your computer system.
Folder Share is an application of a Potentially Unwanted type. The suspicious app aims to read Windows folders as a network share and help distribute files, however without notifying victims the app also displays different third-party advertisements with a time-spam of a minute time during browsing activity. While the application helps sharing folders, it also may come with bunch of ads that it may display to you and these advertisements may lead you to various third-party websites of different character. Since there may be multiple different risks involved with those websites, it is wise to consider removing this ad-supported software, preferably by using the information in this article.
Threat Summary
| Name | Folder Share |
| Type | Potentially Unwanted Program |
| Short Description | Aims to assist with creating a Network Shared folder, however the program displays advertisements on your browser. |
| Symptoms | Slow performance of your computer plus different types of advertisements to begin appearing. |
| Distribution Method | Via bundled installers, fake setups or via other PUP that has already been installed on your PC. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Folder Share. |
Folder Share Adware – How Did I Get It
Programs like Folder Share have two main methods of propagation. The first of those is to upload the program and present it as useful on software providing websites from the same type as download.cnet.com or the Softonic download site. The app may be uploaded on a suspicious website for software download that may present it as a useful free download and this is one way you may have intentionally installed Folder Share.
The other, more likely way of getting Folder Share on your computer is without knowing you are installing it during the installation of other free program you have downloaded online. This technique is known as software bundling and you may encounter it If you have downloaded the software setup of any free program that you are looking to download online, like your favorite media player, torrent program, driver for computer, etc. This happens via bundling of the Folder Share program as a “free extra” to the setup procedure of the program you have installed. Usually it is easy to miss, because the prompt for installing Folder Share may be located in the “Custom” otherwise known as “Advanced” installation option on the Setup Wizard. The prompt to install or opt-out from Folder Share appears somewhat like the following image:
Folder Share – More Information
As soon as it has been installed on your computer, the program may add files in the %Program Files% directory of your computer. Folder Share may also create scheduled tasks and add registry entries in order for the software to run automatically when you start Windows.
In addition to this, Folder Share may also modify aspects of your web browser by possibly adding a custom browser extension or simply chaning the browser’s settings to accept scripts injected from the program. This may result in the program tracking your online activity via tracking technologies, such as:
- Cookies.
- Pixels.
- Tags.
- Flash Cookies.
This may be done with the purpose to obtain different information from your computer, such as:
- Your browsing history.
- Your bookmarked websites.
- The online clicks you perform.
- What you type while browsing.
Based on those, the Folder Share software may use different algorithms to display you advertisements while you are browsing. These ads usually target you based on what you have searched for online, thus increasing the likelyhood of you clicking on them. The advertisements displayed by Folder Share on your computer may be the following types:
- Pop-ups.
- Browser redirects.
- Taken over banner spaces.
- Highlighted text ads.
Security researchers feel convinced that this program may display those ads primarily to generate profit at the user’s expense. In addition to doing this, the Folder Share software may also display you adverts that may be dangerous for you PC, since they come from third-parties that have nothing to do with the program. This is one of the main reasons that you should consider removing Folder Share from your PC.
How to Remove Folder Share from Your Computer
In order to completely eliminate this program from your PC, if you have decided to do so, we recommend that you follow the removal instructions which are down below. They are specifically designed in order to assist you in uninstalling this program. But be advised that since Folder Share may also situate other programs on your computer that may also display advertisements, it is recommended to automatically remove all adware from your PC by scanning it with an advanced anti-malware software. Such will not only remove all traces of Folder Share from your PC, but will also actively protect your computer system from malware and unwanted software in the future too.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove Folder Share from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Folder Share from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Folder Share from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Folder Share from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Folder Share from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Folder Share from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Folder Share from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Folder Share from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Folder Share
Step 2: Uninstall Folder Share and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Folder Share on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Folder Share there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Folder Share from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Folder Share and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Folder Share via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Folder Share files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Folder Share, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Folder Share from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Folder Share from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Folder Share from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Folder Share from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Folder Share will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Folder Share from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
