How to remove WinZip Registry Optimizer (Virus Removal Guide)
WinZip Registry Optimizer, also known as Registry Optimizer by Winzip, is advertised as a Windows Optimizer that “seeks out and safely eliminates hard-to-find items that are planted deep in your Registry.” Winzip claims that WinZip Registry Optimizer can safely repair, optimize, and maintain Windows Registry.
The developer deceptively asserts that there are 2 versions of the program including a free and registered version. The supposed free version is said to fix Windows startup items, uninstall entries, shared DLL, file associations, and Com/Active X issues. However, that is not the case since the program is not free to use, it is only a scanner.
Marketing the program as free to use is an unethical and deceptive marketing practice often utilized by malicious programs (malware) and rogue software and is one reason why WinZip Registry Optimizer is recognized as a malware, adware, and a potentially unwanted program (PUP) by antivirus programs such as ESET-NOD32, Malwarebytes, DrWeb, and others.
WinZip Registry Optimizer is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and Windows Vista.
Deceptive marketing
Like all WinZip programs including WinZip System Utilities Suite, WinZip Registry Optimizer employs the use of deceptive marketing techniques to obtain customers. As previously stated, the free version is not actually free to use, it is only a scanner which makes it an ideal advertisement for the registered full version and is one reason why some antivirus programs detect it as adware. Furthermore, Winzip does not mention that the free version is only a scanner and users typically become aware of the fact after using the program to scan their computers.
WinZip also claims that WinZip Registry Optimizer can restore optimum performance to your PC; However, these claims are arguably disputed by Microsoft and other legitimate entities. For one, removing files will not enhance a computer’s performance and secondly, tampering with the Windows registry may have negative effects on a computer system and is not recommended by Microsoft.
Microsoft does not support the use of registry cleaning utilities and cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the use of a registry cleaning utility can be solved. Microsoft also states that some programs available for free on the internet might contain spyware, adware, or viruses.
To make matters worse, the program is often advertised alongside or bundles with third-party malware, viruses, and other threats. The program may be introduced to a computer by third-party malware and may also be promoted during the installation process as a custom program.
How to remove WinZip Registry Optimizer
WinZip Registry Optimizer can be uninstalled from Windows through the Control Panel or Apps and Features. However, uninstalling the program through the Control Panel will not remove malware, adware, spyware, viruses, and other potential threats from an infected computer. To remove WinZip Registry Optimizer we recommend scanning your computer with reputable security software known to detect and remove WinZip Registry Optimizer and to use a second anti-malware program to eradicate remaining malware, adware, spyware, and viruses. Follow the removal instructions below to remove WinZip Registry Optimizer and other threats from an infected computer.
1. Download and install ESET Smart Security to remove WinZip Registry Optimizer. ESET has the program in its antivirus engine and will detect and remove the program without needing to uninstall it. *When installing ESET Smart Security, select the option to enable detection of potentially unwanted applications (if applicable).
2. Once ESET Smart Security is installed, open the program and navigate to the Computer scan tab.
ESET Smart Security may automatically update and perform an initial scan. The ‘initial scan’ takes longer to complete than a normal computer or removable media scan. It is recommended to perform a second scan following the initial scan.
3. Click Scan your computer to scan all local disks and clean threats.
4. Next, download and install Malwarebytes to scan for malware, adware, spyware, and potentially unwanted programs.

5. Once Malwarebytes is installed, click the Scan Now button to begin scanning the computer.
6. When the scan is complete, click the Quarantine Selected button to remove all threats detected by Malwarebytes.
7. Reboot the computer.