What is Start Search?

Start Search is a potentially unwanted program. Start Search can infect your PC without your consent. After installation, Start Search changes your browser’s settings and changes your homepage. After that these program will redirects you to another web sites. Start Search looks like a safe search engine, that’s why many users perceive it as another popular systems, like Google or Yahoo. In plus Start Search was developed to make money and it collects your personal information like browsing history, passwords of your accounts and so on. That’s why if you found Start Search on your PC you can be sure, that your computer is exposed to the risk, because your data may be transferred to third parties. After penetration Start Search copies its files around system folder, it creates its own registry entries. Start Search can install other malicious programs. If your PC is infected, then immediately remove the Start Search from your computer.

start search hijacker

How is Start Search installed on your PC?

Start Search comes bundled with other freeware from popular sites. It happens in many cases, for example, if a user wants to download file archiver or converter. Many people download the program without reading the installation conditions. This is the biggest mistake. Read what you are offered. Usually an agreement for the installation of malicious software is written in a small font or absolutely imperceptible. Be careful. Attentively read the installation conditions. It’s better to spend a little time with the installation process, than to spend a lot of time to remove an adware.

How to remove Start Search from your PC?

If you want to divest your computer of it, you will need to follow these steps. Please follow them carefully, as if you miss something, the Start Search and search will not be completely removed. The program does not contain any uninstall program so the only way is to delete it manually.

In our view, there are 3 products that potentially have Start Search in their database. They also can help you reset browser settings. You can try to use them for removing Start Search.

Recommended Solution:

Norton is a powerful removal tool. It can remove all instances of newest viruses, similar to Start Search – files, folders, registry keys.

 

Download Norton*Trial version of Norton provides detection of computer viruses for FREE. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Norton.

Alternative Solution:

Norton Antivirus – detects files, registry values and folders of viruses that show the same behavior as Start Search.

 

Download Norton
 

You can try both of these products to remove Start Search

Or uninstall Start Search manually:

Uninstalling from Control Panel

Windows XP:

  1. Click Start.
  2. Control Panel.
  3. Then click Add or Remove Programs.
  4. Find Start Search.
  5. Click Uninstall.

Learn more about uninstallation of programs in Windows XP.

Windows 7/Windows Vista:

  1. Click Start.
  2. Then Control Panel.
  3. Click Uninstall a Program.
  4. Find Start Search and click Uninstall.

Learn more about uninstallation of programs in Windows 7.

Windows 8/Windows 8.1:

  1. Open the Menu.
  2. Click Search.
  3. After that click Apps.
  4. Then Control Panel.
  5. Then as in Windows 7, click Uninstall a Program under Programs.
  6. Find Start Search, select it and click Uninstall.

Learn more about uninstallation of programs in Windows 8 (8.1).

After that remove Start Search from your browser.

Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome
  2. Type chrome://extensions/.
  3. Find Start Search.
  4. Click the trash can icon to remove it.
  5. Also look for other suspicious extensions.

Learn more about removing extensions from Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Type about:addons.
  3. Go to Extensions.
  4. Choose Start Search.
  5. Click Disable or Remove button.
  6. If remove button is not available – use one of the antispyware products above.

Learn more about removing extensions from Firefox.

Internet Explorer:

  1. Open IE.
  2. Click on the cogwheel in the right upper corner.
  3. Click Manage Add-ons.
  4. Select Toolbars and Extensions.
  5. Click Disable Start Search.
  6. Click More information link in the left-bottom corner.
  7. Click Remove button.
  8. If this button is grayed out – use one of the antispyware products above.

Learn more about removing extensions from IE.

Remove following registry entries:


(randoom)

Then remove following files:


(randoom)

And these folders


(randoom)

Resetting your browser search and homepage settings

google chrome logo Reset browser setting in Google Chrome:

  1. Click the Chrome menu (3 bar button) in the top right corner.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Click Show advanced settings.
  4. Go to Reset browser settings section.
  5. Click Reset browser settings.
  6. In the dialog that appears, click Reset.

Learn more about resetting browser settings in Google Chrome.

mozilla firefox logo Reset browser setting in Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
  2. Go to Help.
  3. Go to Troubleshooting information.
  4. Click Reset Firefox… button.

Learn more about resetting browser settings in Mozilla Firefox.

internet explorer logo Reset browser setting in Internet Explorer:

  1. Open Internet Explorer.
  2. Click on the cogwheel in the right upper corner.
  3. Click Internet options.
  4. Go to Advanced tab.
  5. Click Reset button.
  6. Put a tick near Delete personal settings checkbox.
  7. Click Reset button.

Learn more about resetting browser settings in Internet Explorer.

Written by Rami Douafi

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