Zoom Player

While doing our research on Zoom Player, we noticed that it could install Trojan.downloader, which is dangerous malware that can download other malicious programs to user’s computer. Under these circumstances, the software was classified as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Even though the player works as it is supposed to, you should not hesitate and delete it right away. That is if you want to protect your computer because the PUP could infect your PC with different Trojans, viruses, and other harmful malware. The removal guide is available at the end of the article. Plus, it would be a great idea to scan your system with antimalware software and check if there are other threats.

Zoom Player claims to be “the most Powerful, Flexible and Customizable Media Player application for the Windows PC platform” that is based on the highly-touted Smart Play technology, so it might look like trustworthy software. What makes us doubt it is the fact that the application might act on its own and install malware. Also, while reading the Terms of Use on zpdownload.info site, we found out that “advertising material (promoted by links or otherwise) may be made available to the User.” It means that you might receive third-party ads, sponsored links, and so on. If you do not know this already, you should be aware that such content could be harmful to your computer. Third-party websites can contain malware or advertise suspicious applications as well.

Furthermore, the software’s Terms of Use state that “Software Provider collects information about the Internet usage habits of the User (or the persons who use the User's Internet device).” Also, it says that “Software Provider practices concerning the data it collects and the privacy of Users is more fully detailed in the Software Provider's Privacy Policy.” However, the site does not have the Privacy Policy document or any link that would lead to it. Therefore, you cannot be sure if the collected information will not include some of your private data. What’s more, the Terms of Use document states that user information can be utilized or shared with software’s third-party partners. Probably, this information would be used for marketing purposes or while developing other software, but we can only assume it.

Some users may have downloaded the program from its official website, but it is not the only place to get it. The PUP should be spread with bundled installers too, so it is not a surprise if you downloaded the application without realizing it. Usually, bundled applications become visible in the installation wizard, but you can deselect them too. Unfortunately, many users do not read the terms or any other information given on the setup wizard. As a consequence, they install the main program together with other applications they do not need. If this is how Zoom Player entered your system, you should avoid suspicious file-sharing web pages because they tend to bundle their installers. It is best to download programs from official sites, but it is more important to read user reviews or check if the application was developed by a reliable company.

All things considered, the application looks rather risky and uncontrollable, so if you need a media player, it would be a good idea to search for a legitimate and reliable one. On the other hand, if you installed this PUP unknowingly, there are no reasons to keep it on your computer any longer. The removal guide below the text is for users who can handle the manual deletion. For starters, you will have to remove all the PUP’s created folders from your system and then move to Registry Editor. All the folders and Registry entries that you have to erase are listed in the instructions. Although it might be better to get rid of Zoom Player with an antimalware tool. Firstly, it would be a fast and easy way to delete it. Secondly, the antimalware tool would also take care of other possible threats that might have been on your computer before or were downloaded by this PUP.

Remove Zoom Player from your system

1. Open the Explorer.
2. Copy and paste given locations one by one:
   %PROGRAMFILES%
   %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%
   %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
   %USERPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%
   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data
   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs
   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
3. Find folder titled as Zoom Player in all of the above directories.
4. Right-click each folder and select Delete.

Delete Zoom Player registry entries

1. Press Windows Key+R.
2. Type regedit and click OK.
3. Navigate to these paths separately:
   HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\
   HKLM\Software\
   HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
   HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
4. Find Zoom Player keys in each path.
5. Right-click Zoom Player keys and press Delete.
6. Empty your Recycle bin.