Did malware install this random program? It’s likely that a trailer app for Printprojects has been added to your PC by your printer’s software

QI did a digital spring clean, during which I uninstalled some programs I no longer needed. While doing this I spotted a program called Printprojects that I have no memory of installing and have never used. Investigating further I then found an entry for Printprojects in my Start menu! Stupidly, I clicked this and was met with a screen inviting me to download and install my ‘free’ copy of Printprojects. I quickly clicked the cross to close this window and then returned to the Control Panel to uninstall the program.

It seems to have gone but I’m concerned about how it got there, and that it might come back. Nor do I understand why I was invited to install something that was apparently already installed. Is it possible that my PC has a virus?

APrintprojects did not appear on your PC as the result of any virus infection. Instead, it’s likely that you unwittingly agreed to it being installed when adding a printer to your PC, as this tool has over the years been bundled with a variety of printer models. If you’ve recently purchased a new printer this would explain the appearance of the tool.

In this case, it sounds like what’s actually been installed here is an app that acts as an advert for the full program. That isn’t unusual either, because the software developer’s deal with the printer manufacturer might be that users have to supply their personal details in order to download the full program.

So that’s what happened here and, as you’ve since uninstalled the trailer app, there’s nothing more for us to say — and nothing more for you to worry about.