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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Aug 2019

How to remove Chromesearch.win virus

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

Jake Doevan · Computer technology expert

ChromeSearch.win – a bogus search engine that lies about respecting the user's privacy

Chromesearch.win PUP

Chromesearch.win is a browser hijacker[1] which is presented as a privacy-respecting search engine. Unfortunately, it has been found to act in the opposite way – Chromesearch.win virus starts collecting specific information about the user right after it gets into the system. This data mostly includes browsing-related details such as commonly visited websites, hyperlinks accessed, and so on. However, some potentially unwanted programs are capable of spying on even more private information such as the name, surname, birth date, email address, and residence address of the user.

Name ChromeSearch.win
Also known as Chrome Search Win
Type Browser hijacker
Category Potentially unwanted program
Activities Advertising, redirecting, modifying browser settings
Danger level Low. Does not affect the computer system or its components
Found in Software bundles mostly
Removal Use FortectIntego to detect the suspicious app and get rid of it automatically/manually

Alternatively known as Chrome Search Win, it belongs to a wide group of browser hijackers impersonating Google Chrome. They started reappearing during the last months of 2017 and have been relying on almost identical user interface and features. If you happen to find Chromesearch.today, Clean My Chrome or Cleanserp on your computer, beware that they all belong to a highly questionable developer called Chrome Search.

Once ChromeSearch.win is let into the system, it can initiate these potentially dangerous activities:

  • Assigning http://chromesearch.win/ as a default search provider, new tab URL, and start page;
  • Blocking the user from resetting the browser parameters to the primary state;
  • Using tracking cookies to collect information about user's browsing habits;
  • Displaying ads that satisfy user's interests;
  • Redirecting the user to third party websites.

As you can see, despite the fact that ChromeSearch.win tracks your online activity and might gather personally identifiable information, it can also cause commercial ads on your favorite websites. These ads are added using a virtual layer that covers the entire website without making modifications on it. Besides, bogus notifications might carry questionable offers of suspicious computer repair products for money swindling purposes.

Beware that such ads caused by ChromeSearch.win can be dangerous as you can hardly know where are they redirecting you to. If you looked at the Privacy Policy of the website, you could find that developers of this search engine fail to take responsibility for the content they display. Thus, after clicking one of these sponsored ads, you may find yourself infected with malware[2].

Chromesearch.win image

No matter how trustworthy it seems, we highly recommend you to remove Chromesearch.win from your computer. For that, use professional security software, like FortectIntego.  If you are willing to remove this hijacker manually, use a step-by-step guide given at the end of this post. There you will find instructing steps for cleaning web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.

If that is not enough, we should also add that ChromeSearch win describes itself as “the search engine that respects your privacy.” However, the Privacy Policy of this browser hijacker states the opposite: 

When you explicit provide us with your personal information whether or not on our request such as your name, e-mail and / or address, Chrome Search will save this information. If you choose to refuse to provide the information or to remove the information, the possibility exist that you are limited in the use of the services of the Website.

There is no question that this deceptive search engine must be avoided. Security experts from France[3] and other countries have already released recommendations to get rid of this hijacker right after it shows up. If you are looking at this search site right now, don't waste your time and initiate Chromesearch.win removal from all of the affected web browsers. 

Chromesearch.win hijacker

Preventing potentially unwanted programs (PUPs)

It is not a secret that developers are ready to use various techniques to spread their viruses around. One of these methods is bundling their questionable applications together with regular programs to increase the rate of distribution[4]. This way, the benefit from reckless people who do not pay attention to the download/installation process and choose Recommended or Quick settings on the installer.

The permission to install the potentially unwanted program (PUP) is already pre-selected, and only Custom/Advanced options disclose the information about it. Therefore, you should always opt for the latter settings when installing freeware and decline additional applications. Additionally, take notice that automatical protection is not less important than the manual actions you take towards your online safety.

This is why we recommend every user to find a reputable anti-malware tool for their computer systems. Once you pick a particular program, browser the web for information on it, read users' and experts' reviews. Also, make sure that the program as many beneficial features as possible, including safe browsing. Continuously, keep your anti-malware regularly updated for its proper functioning.

Chromesearch.win virus illustration

Easy steps to remove Chromesearch.win virus

If you are wondering how to remove Chromesearch.win from your computer, you should know that this procedure can be done either automatically or manually. Automatic removal still remains the safest way to uninstall the hijacker as it helps you detect and delete all browser extensions and plug-ins that are related to the Chrome Search. As a result, your computer becomes hijacker-free within several minutes.

However, some people opt for manual Chromesearch.win removal. Thus, we have prepared detailed instructions that should guide you through the termination process. It is vital to follow them carefully since removing incorrect files might cause permanent computer damage. Note that the browser hijacker and all additional content that has been brought by the PUP needs to be eliminated or the suspicious program might easily return.

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

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