MergeDocsNow: what it is and how to remove it
MergeDocsNow toolbar is a browser hijacker that that is spread as an extension for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari or another browser. As it travels within software bundles, users rarely notice its installation.
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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MergeDocsNow: summary
| Name | MergeDocsNow |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted application |
| Developer | IAC Search and Media Europe Limited ("SAM EU") |
| Publisher | Mindspark Interactive/Ask Apps |
| Homepage changed to | hp.myway.com |
| Installation | Software bundling, third-party sites, Chrome web store |
| 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 10 more facts
| Symptoms | Alternation of web browser settings, sponsored links, altered search results, ads, redirects,[3], etc. |
|---|---|
| Termination | Download and install security software or make use of our manual instructions |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Search page | search.myway.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 23 August 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is MergeDocsNow dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
MergeDocsNow is a web browser plugin that hijacks the machine and changes particular browser settings
MergeDocsNow toolbar is a browser hijacker that that is spread as an extension for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari or another browser.
As it travels within software bundles, users rarely notice its installation. Additionally, the potentially unwanted program can also be advertised on third-party sites so that users can install it intentionally. Finally, installation through official sources like Chrome store is also possible.
The main purpose of MergeDocsNow hijack is to alter web browser settings and set the homepage to search.myway.com search engine. As soon as the PUP performs these changes, users will be forced to browse via the MyWay search engine, which is known to show an alternative and not so accurate search results that include countless sponsored links.
As it is typical to PUPs, the app tries to appeal by including allegedly advanced functionality. In this case, it claims to help users merge PDFs together. Nevertheless, the app is designed to generate revenue for its developer, and the end-user has to view sponsored content, as well as be tracked for marketing purposes. Thus, remove the potentially unwanted program and use reliable applications for document modification instead.
The MergeDocsNow toolbar was developed by Irish company IAC Search and Media Europe Limited ("SAM EU") and published by the notorious Mindspark Interactive, which is not well-received company ins security-focused community. It is a well-known PUP producer, and has been distributing unwanted software to earn money for years, including software like:
Note how all of these toolbars have a specific theme and apparently helpful functionality, such as maps, cryptocurrency price search, document conversion, and others. This is done purposely in order to make certain groups of people be attracted to the app, and MergeDocsNow is not an exception.
However, the ulterior motive, which might not be that obvious for the inexperienced user is money received from ads that are served to all the users who install these tools. While sponsored links and advertisements on some sites can be tolerated to an extent, the fact that users might end up on phishing or scam sites might put their security and privacy at risk.
Talking about privacy, MergeDocsNow collects certain information about its users to ensure the serving of targeted ads. Data like technical details, search queries, and other. It is clearly stated in the official Privacy Policy statement:
Be aware that the IP address is considered to be private information in some countries, as well as some US states. Additionally, search queries might include your personal data, and it will also be collected by the PUP authors. All in all, we suggest you forget the "useful" functionality of the application, and instead use reputable applications or online services for document conversion.
For MergeDocsNow removal, you can use anti-malware software or make use of our manual guide below this article. Experts also recommend users download and install , in order to clear the system off of the pieces related to unwanted behavior. Also do not forget to make sure the computer is running smoothly with the repair tools.
- MapsGalaxy
- CryptoPriceSearch
- Your Template Finder
- GardeningEnthusiast, etc.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Avoiding unwanted programs is possible
Potentially unwanted programs are apps that users usually install without realizing it, and also those that users find annoying.
They are typically distributed using the software bundling technique, which means that suggestions to install them can be added to installers of numerous free programs such as file converters, file mergers, media players, and similar applications.
The reason why people end up installing unwanted programs is that they tend to overlook statements provided in the installation settings section. It is a must to check what's written under Default/Standard/Basic settings in the fine print. Usually, statements provided there state that by choosing "recommended" settings, you agree to install "recommended" programs. To reject these programs, choose Custom/Standard settings and deselect suggestions to install unnecessary additions.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on MergeDocsNow
- Information about your hardware and software such as your IP address, your browser type and language and other browser-related information and a time-stamp Information about how you use the Search Applications such as the keyword query, search query text, search results clicked, pages viewed and search history.
- Information about your hardware and software such as your IP address, your browser type and language and other browser-related information and a time-stamp
- Information about how you use the Search Applications such as the keyword query, search query text, search results clicked, pages viewed and search history.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
search.myway.com
How to remove MergeDocsNow
How to remove MergeDocsNow and get your search engine back
Remove the extension first.
The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Edgeedge://extensions, and in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially search, new tab, coupon, PDF, weather or video downloader add-ons. Check every browser and every profile, because each keeps its own list.
If an extension has no Remove button or comes back, a browser policy holds it (see "Managed by your organization" in the procedure below). The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete search.myway.com
In Chrome open Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, make an engine you trust the default, and delete
search.myway.comfrom the list.In Edge type
search engineinto the search box at the top of Settings and open Manage search engines; in Firefox use Settings > Search. Then check the homepage and the new tab page in the same settings, because hijackers change all three.If search.myway.com is back after a restart, an extension, a program or a policy still sets it, so finish the other steps and check again. The settings are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
MergeDocsNow rarely comes alone: it is usually installed by, or together with, a free program. In Windows 11 open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and sort by install date.
Uninstall every entry from the day the trouble began that you did not install on purpose, for example a download manager, a converter or a browser you never chose.
Keep drivers and entries from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA or your PC's maker unless you are sure.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
A reset removes what the steps above could miss:
- changed start pages
- site permissions
- hidden settings
In Chrome open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; in Edge Settings > Reset settings; in Firefox Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.
Tip: Bookmarks and saved passwords stay, while extensions are turned off and the search engine and start page return to the defaults.
Reset every browser on the PC, including Edge, which Windows 11 and Windows 10 always have.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of MergeDocsNow that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.
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
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
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)
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.
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online.
One of the basic means to add a layer of security - choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features.
However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful VPN - it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable.
Family photos, work documents, school projects - these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur:
- power cuts
- Blue Screen of Death errors
- hardware failures
- crypto-malware attack
- even accidental deletion
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
The proper MergeDocsNow elimination requires help
In fact, it is quite easy to remove the initial PUP to get rid of the annoying and intrusive Toolbar.
You need to find an extension associated with it and delete it from your browsers. You can find an in-detail explanation of how to do it in the tutorial provided below. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding MergeDocsNow removal and we will do our best trying to help you.
Alternatively, you can also download and install anti-virus software that would terminate the unwanted toolbar automatically. Nevertheless, be aware that not all AVs will recognize the potentially unwanted program. After deleting this MergeDocsNow Toolbar, you should reset each of the installed browsers in order to make sure that all the settings that were changed by the PUA are reset.
Questions about MergeDocsNow
How do I change my search engine back from search.myway.com?
Open the browser's search engine settings, choose the search engine you want and set it as default, then remove search.myway.com from the list.
If the option is greyed out or a note says it is controlled by an extension, remove that extension first and try again. If the browser says it is managed by your organization, a policy holds the setting, and the policy steps in this guide apply.
When the change will not stick, reset the browser: it restores the default search engine and start page and turns off extensions, but keeps bookmarks and saved passwords. Then check Installed apps for a program that may put search.myway.com back.
Can search.myway.com see my searches?
Yes. Every search typed into the address bar goes to search.myway.com first, which is how it earns money. It can log the query, the time and an identifier for your browser, and some hijackers also collect the pages you visit through their extension.
The privacy policy of such sites usually allows sharing that data with partners. Once the hijacker is removed and your own search engine is set again, new searches no longer reach it. Searches already sent cannot be taken back, so avoid entering sensitive information until the clean-up is finished, and clear cookies afterwards.
What is search.myway.com?
It is the search page used by the browser hijacker MergeDocsNow. It has no search index of its own: it forwards your queries to another search engine and adds ads and tracking along the way.
People rarely choose it on purpose; it becomes the default search engine, home page or new tab after an extension, program or policy changes the browser settings. The page itself is not malware, but it should not be in your browser if you did not set it. The steps above remove the source and restore your settings.
Is search.myway.com dangerous?
It is not designed to infect the PC, but it is not neutral either. It logs searches, adds sponsored results that are hard to tell apart from real ones, and its ad partners are not checked as strictly as those of major search engines.
Some hijacker pages have shown ads for fake updates, tech support scams and unwanted software. The main harm is to privacy. Remove MergeDocsNow, and if you entered personal data on sites reached through its results, check those sites carefully.
Do I have to fix every browser?
Yes, every one where the search engine or start page changed. In the cases we checked, MergeDocsNow affected Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
Each browser stores its own search settings and extensions, so fixing one does not fix the others, and Windows-level changes such as shortcuts can affect each browser differently. Work through them one at a time:
- remove the extension
- check the policies
- restore the search engine
- start page
If you sync a browser, stay signed in so the fix spreads to your other computers.
Did search.myway.com record my searches?
Almost certainly. Logging is the point of a hijacker search page: each query, with your IP address, browser details and the result you clicked, is valuable to advertisers.
The operators of search.myway.com can store and share that data under their own privacy policy, which you never agreed to knowingly. There is no way to delete it from their side. What you can do is stop the flow:
- remove MergeDocsNow
- clear cookies and site data for search.myway.com
- treat sensitive searches made in the meantime as known to a third party
Why can't I change my search engine back?
Because something keeps setting it. If an extension controls the search engine, Chrome and Edge show a note that an extension is controlling this setting, and your change is reverted. If a policy controls it, the field is greyed out and the browser shows Managed by your organization.
Remove the extension first, then the policies, and only then change the search engine; the change will stay. If it still reverts, look for a program in Installed apps or a scheduled task that reinstalls the extension.
What do I lose if I reset Chrome or Edge?
Less than you might think. A reset turns off all extensions, which you can turn back on one by one, restores the default search engine, home page, new tab and pinned tabs, and clears cookies, so you are signed out of most sites.
Bookmarks, history, saved passwords and autofill data stay. Firefox's equivalent, Refresh Firefox, keeps the same essentials but removes add-ons completely. Before you reset, make sure you know your main passwords or have them saved, since you will need to sign in again.
Why does my search page look slightly different?
Because it is not your search engine's own page. MergeDocsNow sends searches to search.myway.com, which may copy the colours and layout of a known search engine while adding its own ads and tracking. Small differences give it away:
- an unfamiliar address
- more ads than usual
- a different logo
- a search box with a brand name you do not recognise
Remove the hijacker and set your search engine again from the browser's settings to get the real page back. Then delete the hijacker's entry from the saved search engines list.
Will Fortect remove MergeDocsNow?
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 MergeDocsNow, 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
- How-To Geek: Beginner Geek: Everything You Need To Know About Browser Extensions (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Search advertising (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: URL redirection (read October 6, 2026)
- Malwarebytes Labs: Mindspark toolbars (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)