DANGER: Uninstalling a PWA (Web App) deletes the entire Host Browser

CCleaner for Windows
1

Software Version: CCleaner v7 OS: Windows

The Bug: I attempted to use CCleaner 7 to uninstall “Adobe Photoshop Web.” This is a Progressive Web App (PWA) that runs via Google Chrome.

The Result: Instead of simply removing the web app profile/shortcut, CCleaner aggressively targeted the host executable and deleted my entire Google Chrome application (chrome.exe) and installation folder.

Why this is critical: This behavior is effectively malware-like. It deleted a core system application (the browser) simply because I tried to remove a website shortcut associated with it. This needs to be patched immediately before more users lose their browser installations.

2

I agree that if CCleaner is doing that it should not be.

However i would also point you to Malwarbytes’ opinions on why you may want to avoid PWAs and use the native app:
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/323490-web-browser-cleaning/#findComment-1696855

3

I just had this happen with edge. I went into Apps (windows settings) and repaired edge, and it came back, but this definitely should not occur.

4

Lets flag this up to @MrA and @Laurence_CCleaner

5

I can’t replicate because only one PWA showed in my ccleaner uninstall and it was remanent of an uninstalled one so i thought safe to let ccleaner do it. Guess not as safe LOL

6

Hi @aussie_cleaner,
I have tested this with Spotify and Instagram and I am not able to replicate the issue.
Do you have the link to the PWA for Photoshop that you used so I can investigate this further?