Remove DirectionsAce Toolbar (Removal Guide) - 2021 update
DirectionsAce Toolbar is a browser hijacker that may show irrelevant search websites and lots of ads
DirectionsAce Toolbar is yet another product developed by Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc. This company is already infamous all around the world for the development and distribution of potentially unwanted programs, as well as the promotion of Ask search.
DirectionsAce Toolbar is also classified as a browser hijacker and a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Its primary task is to infiltrate computers, install a toolbar on all web browsers and replace a default start page, search provider, and a new tab window with Ask or MyWay (a customized version of Ask).
Questions about DirectionsAce Toolbar
We can't claim that this particular toolbar is not working as it should. The toolbar may provide you with some real value, but by keeping it you also risk exposing your PC to various cyber threats so it’s not worth believing in beautiful commercials. This tool developers know how to present their work as extremely useful to some users. According to the Mindspark, DirectionsAce Toolbar is:
by far the best maps and directions extension available online for FREE. It takes only seconds to install and turns your browser into a maps and directions-finding machine. Find gas prices, search for fun things to do and more – perfect for travelers like you.
As we have already mentioned, DirectionsAce Toolbar by Mindspark promotes Ask search, which becomes a default start page, search provider, and a new tab window by force. This search provider is not recommended using it because it collaborates with various third parties, including really suspicious ones.
Thus, sponsored search results that this toolbar promotes can contain links to irrelevant websites. In the worst-case scenario, redirects can expose computers to the pages used for malware distribution. This reason is serious enough to remove DirectionsAce Toolbar as soon as possible.
Another noteworthy fact is the usage of cookies. These small files are usually used for collecting search queries, URLs of most frequently visited pages, data entered in them, ads that were most often clicked, IP address, PC's location, email address, and similar non-personal data. DirectionsAce virus also uses tracking cookies and may collect data mentioned above and some pieces of quite sensitive information too.
Also, it may cause the web browser to run slower than it used to before. Thus, having in mind all the unwanted activities that this toolbar may cause, run a full system scan and delete DirectionsAce Toolbar virus right away. This can be done with the help of SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, or another reliable anti-malware.
Browser hijackers are spreading with the help of bundles
This particular browser hijacker is spread using two methods – direct and indirect ('Bundling'). People can quite easily find the official website of this toolbar and install it there for no cost.
Unfortunately, but this questionable toolbar may show up on the system without downloading it there. This scenario may happen if the computer user installs a freeware and agrees to install its attachments, including DirectionsAce Toolbar.
Usually, software packages are installed without being aware of that because third-party attachments are usually hidden under quick, basic, or express installation mode. Having this in mind, you should never install free software in a rush again. To keep your computer PUP free, select the Advanced or Custom installation option, and reject the installation of additional tools.
Use our instructions to remove DirectionsAce Toolbar
For all of the serious reasons listed above, you'll probably want to get rid of a potentially unwanted program as soon as possible. You can remove DirectionsAce Toolbar using two choices – manual or automatic removal.
If you want to remove the potentially unwanted program manually, you should follow the steps that are provided down below. You should terminate the process of this toolbar via Task Manager, then disable the toolbar in all web browsers, and finally perform its full removal. However, don't forget that DirectionsAce Toolbar malware can have some hidden files or might have installed other potentially unwanted programs.
To get rid of DirectionsAce Toolbar, you can use a professional anti-malware. It will ensure that all hidden files and other PUPs that may be lurking on the system are removed completely.
You may remove virus damage with a help of ReimageIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove DirectionsAce Toolbar, follow these steps:
Eliminate DirectionsAce Toolbar from Windows systems
To remove DirectionsAce Toolbar from Windows 10/8 machines, please follow these steps:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find entries related to DirectionsAce Toolbar (or any other recently installed suspicious program).
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete DirectionsAce Toolbar from Mac OS X system
If your macOS is displaying some infection symptoms, proceed with the following guide:
Remove DirectionsAce Toolbar from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for DirectionsAce Toolbar-related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove DirectionsAce Toolbar, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries related to DirectionsAce Toolbar and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the DirectionsAce Toolbar-related entries.
Remove DirectionsAce Toolbar from Internet Explorer (IE)
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for DirectionsAce Toolbar and other suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete…
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete DirectionsAce Toolbar removal.
Erase DirectionsAce Toolbar 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 DirectionsAce Toolbar-related extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Reset MS Edge if that 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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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 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.
Get rid of DirectionsAce Toolbar 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 plugins that are related to DirectionsAce Toolbar and click Remove.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Options.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
In case DirectionsAce Toolbar did not get removed after following the instructions above, 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 – this should complete DirectionsAce Toolbar removal.
Uninstall DirectionsAce Toolbar 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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to DirectionsAce Toolbar 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.
If the above-methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the DirectionsAce Toolbar-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 to complete DirectionsAce Toolbar removal.
Eliminate DirectionsAce Toolbar from Safari
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension related to DirectionsAce Toolbar and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of DirectionsAce Toolbar registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: ReimageIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
Your opinion regarding DirectionsAce Toolbar
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December 1st, 2015 at 10:04 am
Im so fed up with this malicious toolbar! I accidentally installed it on my system and now I cant get rid oh that DirectionsAce Toolbar!!!
December 1st, 2015 at 10:05 am
I found that SpyHunter detects DirectionsAce and removes it with ease, I suggest everyone to use it 🙂