Fast Browser Search: what it is and how to remove it
Fast Browser is an untrustworthy search tool that finds its way to victims' computers with the help of software bundling technique. Once installed, Fast Browser Search virus swaps current homepage and default search address with fastbrowsersearch.com.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Fast Browser Search: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Fast Browser Search |
| Type | Unwanted browser or VPN app |
| Symptoms | An unknown process in Task Manager |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 4 more facts
| Files and processes | BHO.dll |
|---|---|
| Evidence | One write-up by a security site; details still limited |
| First seen | 25 July 2017 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is Fast Browser Search safe? Why it is flagged
From our report of Jul 2017 · not reviewed since
What is Fast Browser?
Fast Browser is an untrustworthy search tool that finds its way to victims' computers with the help of software bundling technique.
Once installed, Fast Browser Search virus swaps current homepage and default search address with fastbrowsersearch.com. To keep the changes and prevent the user from changing them, the browser hijacker may employ additional files and modify Registry Entries.
Fast Browser Search is a potentially unwanted application, which can also be categorized as browser hijacker. It seems that it has already annoyed hundreds of PC users who have discovered installed it on their computers behind their back.
There's no surprise that people actively look for a way that could help them delete this search engine from their browsers because Fast Browser malware is the one that tends to cause annoying redirections, slow downs, and other issues. It may also interrupt its victims with commercial advertisements and may even initiate dangerous activities on the system.
Most importantly, this browser hijacker is capable of recording users' activity on the Internet and may start collecting such information as people's search terms, websites that they like to visit, time that they spend on each of them, data that they enter, clicks and similar details.
That clearly violates privacy policy and should never be ignored. If FastBrowser Search has already hijacked each of your web browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc.) and has started causing redirects to affiliate websites, you should follow a guide at the end of this post.
Of course, running a full system scan with a reliable anti-spyware (try using ) is the easiest method that can be used to remove Fast Browser Search.
In case you are looking for Fast Browser for Windows 8, 10 or other operating systems, this browser hijacker shouldn't be an option. It doesn't improve the performance of your computer - it simply starts controlling it and may even slow it down.
It goes without saying that the only way to make this hijacker go is to remove Fast Browser Search virus using a powerful anti-malware software or instructions prepared by our team.


From our report of Jul 2017 · not reviewed since
Avoid browser hijackers easily
Fast Browser Search is distributed via two different methods.
However, it may also show up on your machine without asking a clear permission for that.
According to security experts, it is mostly spread using download managers, video streaming software, video recording software, PDF creators and similar programs that are primarily spread on the Internet for free. If you want to prevent its infiltration, you should uncheck all checkboxes that agree to check your start page, new tab page, and default search engine.
Besides, you should also avoid installation of suspicious browser plugins, add-ons, extensions, and plugins. For getting this ability, you should always opt for Custom or Advanced installation of the freeware. You should select one of these methods at the beginning of program's installation.
If you have just noticed that your searches are redirected to FastBrowserSearch.com, it means that this hijacker is already hiding in your computer. Please, do NOT ignore that as it may try to redirect you to unknown websites that are used for spreading questionable programs. To fix your computer, you follow the guide which is given below.
Check your PC and browser
- File:
BHO.dll
How to uninstall Fast Browser Search
How to remove Fast Browser Search
Uninstall it, then set your own browser and search engine back, because it changes both.
Step 1: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10, and sort the list by install date. Look at what appeared around the day the problem started and uninstall every program you do not recognise or did not choose.
Free converters, PDF and video tools, "system optimizers" and unknown browsers are the usual carriers of Fast Browser Search. If a name is unclear, search for it before you remove it, so you do not uninstall a driver or a Windows component.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 2: Remove it from startup
Whatever Fast Browser Search installed usually starts with Windows.
Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to Startup apps in Windows 11 or the Startup tab in Windows 10, and disable what you do not know, starting with entries that have an empty Publisher column.
Open file location on the right-click menu shows the file, which helps you decide and tells you what to delete later. Disabling is safe: if something you need stops working, switch it back on.
Full procedure with screenshots: Stop apps from opening at startup On uGetFix
Step 3: Delete the folders left behind
What the uninstaller leaves behind is usually in the user folders. Open File Explorer, switch on View > Show > Hidden items (in Windows 10 View > Hidden items), and go through
%LocalAppData%,%AppData%, %ProgramData% and the two Program Files folders.Sort by Date modified and delete folders that appeared together with the problem and belong to no program you use. Folders with random names that hold
.exe,.dll, .js or .ps1 files are the strongest sign.Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.

Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
To remove Fast Browser Search from Windows, you must uninstall these programs via Control Panel: My Web Tattoo; Fast Browser Search; Make the Web Better; Search Guard; Search Guard Plus. In addition, you need to Program Files or Program Files x86 folder and find a folder called SGPSA. Here, find and delete these two files: BHO.dll; FBStoolbar.dll. Then go up one folder and delete the SGPSA folder. Now, press down Windows Key + R and type regedit. Press OK. In Windows Registry, find HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\ and delete {F0626A63-410B-45E2-99A1-3F2475B2D695} key in it. Now, find HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\ and delete {F0626A63-410B-45E2-99A1-3F2475B2D695} from it. Finally, access HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\ and delete {E3EA4FD9-CADE-4ae5-84F7-086EEE888BE4} Registry key.
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 Google Chrome
Open Google Chrome and remove FastBrowser Search extension from it. If you find any other suspicious additions such as My Web Tattoo, Fast Browser Search Toolbar Helper, delete them as well.
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.

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.

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)
To clean Firefox from FastBrowserSearch remains, delete extensions that were installed without your permission. You should look for Search Guard, Seach Assistant and My Web Tattoo extensions.
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.

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

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

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

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
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 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.

Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity.
While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important - recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data.
Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
From our report of Jul 2017 · not reviewed since
Uninstall Fast Browser Search
A quick way to remove Fast Browser Search virus is to perform a complete system scan using a trustworthy anti-malware software.
This will help you to stop annoying fastbrowsersearch.com redirects, pop-up ads, slow downs and similar issues.
If you are determined to delete this virtual parasite manually, you should carefully read these Fast Browser Search removal guidelines that we provided. This hijacker tends to hide under various names, and that makes it a hard-to-detect computer threat.
In addition, you need to Program Files or Program Files x86 folder and find a folder called SGPSA. Here, find and delete these two files:
Then go up one folder and delete the SGPSA folder.
Now, press down Windows Key + R and type regedit. Press OK.
In Windows Registry, find HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\ and delete {F0626A63-410B-45E2-99A1-3F2475B2D695} key in it.
Now, find HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\ and delete {F0626A63-410B-45E2-99A1-3F2475B2D695} from it.
Finally, access HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\ and delete {E3EA4FD9-CADE-4ae5-84F7-086EEE888BE4} Registry key.
Search Guard, Seach Assistant and My Web Tattoo extensions.
My Web Tattoo, Fast Browser Search Toolbar Helper, delete them as well.
- My Web Tattoo;
- Fast Browser Search;
- Make the Web Better;
- Search Guard;
- Search Guard Plus.
- BHO.dll;
- FBStoolbar.dll.
Questions about Fast Browser Search
Is BHO.dll safe?
It depends on where the file is and who signed it, not on the name. Open Task Manager, go to the Details tab, right-click BHO.dll and choose Open file location. A file inside Program Files or System32 with a valid digital signature from a known company is usually part of a legitimate program.
A file in AppData, Temp or ProgramData with no signature, especially one that restarts itself after you end it, is suspicious. If you cannot tie the process to anything you installed, uninstall recent unfamiliar programs and run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan.
Can I delete the BHO.dll file?
Only after you know what it belongs to. If BHO.dll is part of a program, uninstall that program through Settings instead, so its services and tasks go too. If it belongs to nothing and is unsigned, end the process, disable whatever starts it and then delete its folder.
Do not delete files from the Windows folder or files signed by Microsoft: those are part of the system, and removing them can stop Windows from starting. When in doubt, run a Microsoft Defender scan first and let it decide.
Why can't I uninstall Fast Browser Search?
Usually because it is still running or because a helper reinstalls it. Close it from the notification area first, then end its process in Task Manager and try Settings > Apps > Installed apps again. If there is no uninstall entry, look for a folder under Program Files or AppData with the same name and an uninstaller inside.
If the program comes back after removal, the cause of an unfamiliar process called BHO.dll in Task Manager is a scheduled task, a startup entry or the program it was bundled with. Remove those, restart and check again. Starting Windows in Safe Mode stops most helpers and makes stubborn programs easier to remove.
Could Fast Browser Search be a legitimate program?
Possibly. Some programs that cause an unfamiliar process called BHO.dll in Task Manager are real products from real companies that simply use aggressive distribution. Check the publisher in Installed apps and the digital signature in the file's Properties.
A known publisher and a program you actually use mean you can keep it and only adjust its settings. An unknown publisher, a program you never opened and no clear purpose mean it should go.
If it came bundled with something else, the decision is easy: you did not choose it, so remove it and keep the program you actually wanted.
Do I need special software to remove Fast Browser Search?
No. Windows has everything needed:
- Installed apps for the uninstall
- the Startup list and Task Scheduler for what restarts it
- Windows Security for a scan afterwards
The steps in this guide take about fifteen minutes. A dedicated tool is a convenience when you would rather not check each place yourself or when the program keeps coming back.
Whatever you use, finish by confirming that an unfamiliar process called BHO.dll in Task Manager is gone after a restart, and avoid downloading removal tools from pages that promote them through scary warnings.
Is Fast Browser Search a virus?
Not in the strict sense. Nothing reported so far shows Fast Browser Search copying itself, encrypting files or stealing passwords, which is what security companies mean by a virus.
What people see is an unfamiliar process called BHO.dll in Task Manager, which fits an unwanted program: software that arrives bundled with something else and keeps running without being asked for. Many antivirus programs label such software PUP or PUA rather than malware.
That label does not make it harmless. It still uses your PC and connection, may collect data and is often bundled with other programs, so removing it is the right call. Uninstall it from Installed apps, then check startup items and browser settings for its companions.
Is Fast Browser Search why my PC is slow?
It can be one reason. Programs of this kind often start with Windows, run updaters in the background and keep a process open all the time.
The sign reported, an unfamiliar process called BHO.dll in Task Manager, means at least one such program is active. Open Task Manager, sort by CPU, memory and network, and see whether Fast Browser Search or a related process is near the top.
If it is, removing it will help. If not, the slowdown has another cause, but removing a program you never chose is still worth doing. A restart after removal shows the difference best.
Is my privacy at risk because of Fast Browser Search?
A little, not dramatically. Unwanted programs tend to report what you install, which sites you visit or how you use the program back to their publisher. That data is sold or used for ads.
The sign people noticed, an unfamiliar process called BHO.dll in Task Manager, is consistent with such a program, and nothing reported suggests access to your files, camera or passwords.
Remove it, delete its leftovers and clear the browser data if it touched the browser. From then on, keep Potentially unwanted app blocking switched on in Windows Security, which stops many of these programs before they install.
Will Fortect remove Fast Browser Search?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Fast Browser Search, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)