This article aims to show you how to remove the Pokki Start Menu program from your computer completely.
Pokki is a legitimate application for Windows which has been created to improve the experience of users via refreshing the start menu by allowing to install various applications to the program and providing the options to organize those apps to the preferred ones. It seems like some Windows users appear to favor the tool because it allows them to have their old start menu back. However, the same procedure can also be done by downgrading your Windows OS instead of installing third-party apps, such as Pokki. And despite the fact that many favor Pokki for being a useful program, users should consider several important facts about this program before deciding to keep using it. The app may collect different information from your computer and may even share this information in some special events and this is one of the reasons why it is not advisable to trust it entirely. If you are looking for removal of the Pokki start menu for one reason or another, we advise you to read this article.
Pokki Start Menu Summary
Name | Pokki Start Menu |
Type | Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) |
Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer, collect information and may display targeted ad-content. |
Symptoms | Laggy computer performance, various types of advertised apps, may include browser redirects, pop-ups, etc via third parties. |
Distribution Method | Via malicious URLs, unwanted downloads and other. |
Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join our forum to discuss Pokki. |
Pokki Start Menu – Update July 2018
Recent statistics and detections inform of a significant increase the Pokki Start Menu app installations by the numbers. This is a clear indication of the following possible developments in connection with Pokki:
- The application may have a new version which is advertised.
- The program may be advertised more aggressively in new software bundling campaigns or banners and other advertisements.
We at SensorsTechForum will continue to track Pokki adware and respectively Pokki Start Menu and will post new information as soon as it becomes available.
How Did I Get Pokki Start Menu
Generally, Pokki (Pokki Start Menu) can be downloaded from the official web page of the company:
However, since Pokki is not a program that is well-known, you may also encounter it to be bundled along free programs you may have downloaded from suspicious websites. Such programs are often your free web browser, media player, torrent downloader program and many others. Some websites make profit by bundling third-party applications, such as Pokki in the setups of the programs you may have downloaded from them. The bundle ad may exist in one of the installation steps of the Custom or Advanced installation option and it may be similar to the example the image below:
When you accept the installation by clicking Next without opting out of you, the result is that Pokki is automatically installed on your computer and replaces your start menu. So this is the most likely reason why Pokki is installed on your computer without you remembering to intentionally install it.
→Related: Should You Remove Pokki From Your Computer?
Pokki Start Menu – Analysis
Pokki (Pokki Start Menu) is not a program that is malicious, however you should know that it is one of those apps that may be potentially unsafe, because of several different reasons. Once the program is installed on your computer, it uses different tracking technologies in order to obtain information from it. Such may be:
- Pixels.
- Tags.
- LSOs (Local Shared Objects, otherwise known as flash cookies).
The usage of these technologies may result in the program obtaining different information from your computer, such as:
- Your IP address.
- The browsing history of your web browsers.
- Online searches.
- Where you have clicked online.
- The sites you visit regularly.
- Your location and language.
- Your MAC address.
This data is then extracted and used by Pokki for different reasons and the company may aggregate different information, as stated in their Privacy Policy. And what is more to that, the company may share this information under different circumstances as well:
And in addition to this, since Pokki (Pokki Start Menu) mainly relies on third-party apps embedded in it, like games and useful software, the company has stated in their privacy policy that they cannot guarantee what type of information the apps you install on their start menu collect from you:
This basically means that if you have apps of Pokki installed on your Start Meny bar, they may be collecting your personal information, like passwords, financial data, names addresses and other and you may even not know it. One more reason why you should think twice before keeping Pokki on your computer.
Should You Remove Pokki Start Menu and Is It a Legitimate App?
It is a very controversial topic to discuss the legitimacy of Pokki and Pokki Start Menu, but you should be advised that we have received reports of the application possibly slowing down the computer performance and it may even display targeted advertisements that may lead to third-party websites. This is why security experts recommend that you to remove this program from your computer by following the removal instructions below. They are created to help you remove Pokki from your computer. Since manual removal and simple uninstall of the program may not remove it entirely, it is also advisable to remove it automatically, using an advanced anti-malware program which will make sure the program is gone permanently and your PC is protected against intrusive apps in the future.
Manually delete Pokki Start Menu from Windows and your browser
Note! Substantial notification about the Pokki Start Menu threat: Manual removal of Pokki Start Menu requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.
Automatically remove Pokki Start Menu by downloading an advanced anti-malware program
- Guide 1: How to Remove Pokki Start Menu from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Pokki Start Menu from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Pokki Start Menu from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Pokki Start Menu from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Pokki Start Menu from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Pokki Start Menu from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Pokki Start Menu from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Pokki Start Menu from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Pokki Start Menu





Step 2: Uninstall Pokki Start Menu 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:



Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Pokki Start Menu 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 Pokki Start Menu there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:



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 Pokki Start Menu from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Pokki Start Menu 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 Pokki Start Menu 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 Pokki Start Menu files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Pokki Start Menu, 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 Pokki Start Menu 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 Pokki Start Menu 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 Pokki Start Menu 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 Pokki Start Menu 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 Pokki Start Menu will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Pokki Start Menu 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.