Skip to content
  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Sep 2020

How to remove Content Explorer

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Olivia Morelli · Ransomware analyst

Content Explorer is adware that might inject sponsored links and ads into your searches

Content Explorer

Content Explorer is a program, which was labeled as an adware and a potentially unwanted program. These conclusions have been made after noticing what activities this dubious extension may initiate on the user's computer. In most cases, it causes annoying ads that pop up on the screen on a regular basis. Besides, the unwanted app fills search results with sponsored links and other ads. These advertisements are initiated in order to drive traffic to sponsored websites and helping them to increase their page rank or sales. In other words, Content Explorer virus is an overall useless program to users and it should be eliminated as soon as possible for a safe browsing on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another web browser.

Name Content Explorer
Type Adware, potentially unwanted program 
Distribution  PUPs are distributed via deceptive methods: software bundles, fake updates, deceptive ads, and similar, are common. In some cases, users might install adware without knowing much about its real functionality
Symptoms 
  • Unknown browser extensions or apps installed on the system
  • Homepage and new tab address is set to a different one
  • All searches are redirected to another provider
  • Search results are filled with sponsored links and ads
  • Redirects to unknown websites, etc.
Risks  Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, privacy risks due to information gathering practices, monetary losses 
Elimination  Get rid of all unwanted programs or malware automatically by using SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes security software; alternatively, you can delete PUPs manually – we provider the instructions below
Optimization If you found an unknown application or extension on your computer, you should also take care of its remediation after infection is eliminated

There is also another reason why this ad-supported plug-in is categorized as a potentially unwanted program. That reason is related to the distribution method of Content Explorer. Beware that in most of the cases this program enters its target PC systems without an appropriate permission asked. This infiltration method relies on freeware and shareware that can easily be filled with various optional components in exchange for money. If you want to avoid that, you need to follow the special tips that are given in the next paragraph.

Furthermore, if Content Explorer hijacks the system, it may intentionally track your browsing habits. It may collect information, which is related to your most visited websites, data that you leave on each of these sites, search terms, email addresses, PC's location, etc. That is dangerous because such activity may cause the loss of your non-private information. No matter that it's just 'non-private' data, you can never know what it can be used for.

If the bad scenario has already happened and the Content Explorer virus has already shown up on your computer and you know that you have nothing to do with its appearance, you should download an anti-malware tool and run a full system scan with it. You should also take care of the affected files and functions with PC repair tools like FortectIntego. It will help you to fix all the damage this Content Explorer virus has already made.

Content Explorer adware

Additional tools sneak in without your consent during installations

Hundreds of people have installed useless programs consciously because PUPs are actively promoted as tools that can improve people's browsing experience. Developers offer information about the latest coupons, discounts and price comparisons, and similar deals.

However, you should never trust the program completely because you may be very disappointed after taking its ads for granted. By the way, sometimes useless programs and adware or hijackers may enter your computer without your knowledge.

This distribution method is very popular because it's related to free programs, games, and applications that are actively used by PC users. To avoid unwanted infiltration, you should be extra careful when downloading and installing various free programs.

Firstly, try reading terms of agreement policy section before any questionable installation. Secondly, if you decided to install this program, select the advanced or custom installation method. Thirdly, follow the entire process and unmark any additional attachments.

Remove Content Explorer virus from your computer manually or using antimalware tools

This program is relatively useless because it has no other purpose apart from advertising. Most of those adds will offer you great deals, but they will not be worth your time or money. The purpose of adds is always to trick you and never to help. That's why you should remove Content Explorer virus as soon as you have noticed it.

We have prepared easy instructions for Content Explorer removal, please follow the removal guidelines below. You can also find in-depth steps for browser resetting there. This may be useful when intruder changes your Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer preferences. 

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

Did this guide help?

Be the first to comment

Spyware News
Privacy preferences

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze traffic. Some cookies enable embedded content like videos and social posts. Choose what you allow — you can change this anytime.