How to Remove Zango.exe from Windows 10?

What Is Zango.exe?

Zango.exe is an executable file that is part of Zango Search Assistant, developed by 180solutions Inc. 180solutions, currently known as Zango, is an American company known to install spyware aimed at gathering users’ data to provide targeted advertising for its partners. The Zango program is designed to monitor and track users’ browsing habits and send the data back to the developer’s server for analysis. It then uses the collected data to spam users with corresponding advertisements.

The zango.exe file was most probably installed on your PC via the installation of certain programs affiliated to 180solutions. This could be video games or productivity tools/utilities. Legally, affiliate programs should obtain permission from the user before software installation. However, in most cases, zango.exe acts covertly and installs itself without user authorization. Although it claims that it is legitimate software, it misleads users into thinking that it’s a useful program and violates users’ privacy. Needless to say, if you have the option to reject the Zango program when installing applications, do so without having second thoughts.

Its usual location is in the C:\Program Files\zango folder. Its commonly known sizes include 752,128 bytes, 867,840 bytes, 907,776 bytes, 908,288 bytes, and 909,312 bytes. The file might be difficult to delete since it comes with an installer that reloads the program if deleted the standard way, via “Add/Remove Programs” in “Control Panel” or the “Settings” app. If you’re looking for information on how to remove the Zango virus and its components, this post provides you all the answers.

Is Zango.exe a Virus?

Zango.exe has been identified as spyware and adware, and it is, therefore, undesirable to have it running on your Windows computer. As a non-system process, it most probably originated from third-party software that you installed on your computer. According to several security tools, the zango.exe file is malware. Windows Defender identifies it as adware: Win32/ZangoSearchAssistant.

The Zango program has certain malware features that make it dangerous. First, it loads automatically on Windows startup, and it might be challenging to disable it. Secondly, it installs itself and other components without permission. Thirdly, Zango spies on users’ behaviors and reports to unknown third-parties who then send targeted advertising to users’ computers. Sometimes, the program is known to forcefully redirect users to various unsafe sites.

Unfortunately, if you install Zango unknowingly, you also install several .exe and .dll files. This makes it extremely difficult to completely remove it from your computer unless you also delete all of its components.

Usually, adware and spyware, among other types of malware, could be introduced to your computer via software bundles or they could be downloaded in the background without your knowledge. Either way, if your Windows PC is protected by an up-to-date security scanner, then unwanted programs like Zango are unlikely to sneak in. However, if this program or any other kind of malware manages to infiltrate your system undetected, it means your system is vulnerable to attacks.

If the Zango program is located in a folder other than the C:\Program Files\ subfolder, it’s possible that you selected that location during the installation of the associated software. Malware can cause extreme PC slowdowns, crashes, and system errors, especially if the malware replaces or deletes system files. As such, if you suspect that your computer has been infected by malware, you should remove it as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your system and, at the same time, protect your passwords and other personal data.

How to Remove the Zango Virus

Some types of malware are designed to effectively camouflage themselves, and removing them manually can be an uphill task. Hackers usually disguise them as genuine system files, and without a trusted and reliable malware scanning tool, you might not be able to detect them. If you can opt to use the Windows built-in security tool, Windows Defender, follow these steps:

1. Run the “Settings” app from the “Start” menu, and open Update & Security > Windows Security.
2. Open “Virus & threat protection”.
3. On the screen that pops up, select “Scan options” and then click on “Full scan”.
4. Click “Scan now”. Windows will commence the scanning process, which might take up to one hour to complete.
5. Alternatively, select “Windows Defender Offline scan” and then click on the “Scan now” button. This option will restart your computer and might take up to 15 minutes to complete.

If Windows Defender detects any strains of malware, it will remove them from your PC. For the tool to work more efficiently, make sure that you have installed all the latest definitions. However, sometimes Windows Defender may miss some malicious items that are designed to penetrate your system undetected.

In such situations, we recommend using an advanced malware removal tool like Auslogics Anti-Malware, which comes in handy when dealing with critical threats that are too complex for an ordinary antivirus program. Not only will this program check if zango.exe is a virus, but it will also scan the entire system to detect and remove any suspicious applications, programs, and files.

Auslogics Anti-Malware performs a deep scan of your system, including the system memory, browsers, the Windows registry, Windows Autorun, and Task Scheduler. If it finds any threats, it deletes them from your system. The program is designed to work alongside your antivirus program, including Windows Defender. This creates a tight wall that helps to protect your computer from malware intrusion. Since zango.exe is designed to load automatically when Windows boots, Auslogics Anti-Malware prevents that from happening. More importantly, the tool allows you to schedule automatic scans for 24-hour protection.

If zango.exe errors started to appear after the installation of a particular program, locate the program and delete it. To do so, follow this guide:

1. Press the Win + X shortcut and open “Apps and Features”.
2. Locate the suspicious application or video game from the list of programs and click on it to highlight it.
3. Select “Uninstall” and then click on “Uninstall” again.

Important tip: If the zango.exe process is running, you will not be able to delete it. For this reason, you must first stop the process in Task Manager (right-click the taskbar and select “Task Manager”. Look for the process under the “Processes” tab, select it and click on the “End task” button).

If you installed more than one program and you aren’t sure which one could be responsible for installing the zango.exe file, then we recommend uninstalling all of them using the steps above.

How to Delete Zango Components

As we mentioned earlier, the Zango program installs numerous clones and copies that remain hidden. Only a reliable scanner will be able to detect and delete the associated files. Likewise, if you notice that your browser’s default search engine and start page has been changed, then it indicates that you could be dealing with a security threat.

In such situations, you must restore your browser’s default settings and remove unwanted extensions using the provided settings. Additionally, you can use Windows Search to find all occurrences of zango.exe. Simply press the Windows Key + S and type in zango.exe. Right-click the file and select “Open file location”. Now, right-click the file and delete it. Do the same for all copies of the file.