CoolWebSearch.xpsystem is a component of a very widespread browser hijacker
CoolWebSearch.xpsystem is a malicious component of a potentially unwanted program that is designed to hijack Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or another web browser. While browser hijackers are typically not considered dangerous as malware, older versions of such applications can be particularly dangerous, as their distribution and operation cab be easily described as malicious. In other words, this is malware you should not consider keeping on your system.
| Name | CoolWebSearch.xpsystem |
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Distribution | Malicious websites, fake notifications, software bundles |
| Symptoms | Web browser settings altered without permissions, suspicious processes running in the background, increased number of ads on all visited websites, etc. |
| Elimination | Uninstall the potentially unwanted program as explained below or use automatic removal software – we recommend SpyHunterCombo Cleaner |
| System fix | If a computer infection caused your Windows to malfunction, you can either reinstall the OS or use FortectIntego to repair damaged components for you automatically |
The term “potentially unwanted program” only became more widespread in the past few years, as previously, these applications are generally called spyware. Their main goal was to take over users' web browsers and expose them to intrusive ad campaigns during their browsing sessions.
In the background, such applications would often spy on users' online behavior, sometimes recording and transferring even personal data, such as emails or home addresses. Therefore, if you have encountered CoolWebSearch.xpsystem on your computer, you should immediately take action and delete it.
If you don't, your web browser will be flooded with pop-ups, deals, offers, coupons, and other commercial content, whether you like it or not. Since this program establishes itself within the registry, it would start automatically every time you launch Windows. To correct this, you need to remove CoolWebSearch.xpsystem.
You can follow the instructions below to uninstall the potentially unwanted program. However, if you find out that it is impossible to do, we recommend you use SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or another reputable anti-malware for the job. Don't forget to clean your web browsers also – you can do that automatically with FortectIntego.
Tips for a quick CoolWebSearch.xpsystem removal
As previously mentioned, you can try uninstalling this PUP manually by accessing the Control Panel section. However, the program entry might simply be missing, or it could hide under a different name, making it difficult to distinguish. If that is the case, you should instead employ security software for the job.
Anti-malware programs are capable of finding and eliminating all the malicious components automatically. After you are done with the removal process, do not forget to clean your web browsers accordingly; otherwise, the infection might return.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- 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.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- 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.
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- 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:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
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