MyDocsHere: what it is and how to remove it

MyDocsHere - the PUP that triggers changes on the web browser and in the system directly. The program manages to change web browser settings, alter preferences regarding the online searches, and create frustration for the user when the speed is diminished significantly.

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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Not sure what changed your search to hp.myway.com? An automatic scan checks extensions, programs and browser settings in one pass.

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Screenshot of MyDocsHere: pup
MyDocsHere as our 2020 report showed it.

MyDocsHere: summary

DistributionFreeware installations include the toolbar or PUP itself as additional download and trigger the infection when the person ins not paying enough attention to details during the process
NameMyDocsHere
TypeBrowser hijacker[1]
IssuesThe program itself runs in the background, so it can trigger issues with the system and expose the user to third-party content, malicious sites when advertisements trigger all the reroutes to shady domains
Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
DamageNot recorded in the old report
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 6 more facts
SymptomsA changed search engine
Evidence4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited
Search pagehp.myway.com
BrowsersChrome, Edge and Firefox
First seen15 July 2020
Facts checked6 October 2026

Is MyDocsHere dangerous? What it collects

From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since

MyDocsHere is the hijacker that creates issues with browsing online when unwanted content starts coming to the screen out of nowhere

MyDocsHere - the PUP that triggers changes on the web browser and in the system directly.

The program manages to change web browser settings, alter preferences regarding the online searches, and create frustration for the user when the speed is diminished significantly. This program can control what sites you visit, which advertisements you see, and even install toolbars, extensions, browser-based applications. The hijacker is called like that because it takes over your Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari browser to trigger intrusive activities.

Users claim that MyDocsHere virus is malicious because it mainly appears out of nowhere and provides nothing but annoying features. This potentially unwanted program aims to affect your browsing experience and cause redirects, so views can be monetized, and sponsors make a profit. There is nothing that could be valuable about this application, especially when it is related to Hp.myway.com.

MyDocsHere is the program that controls your web browser search queries and tries to cause redirects to advertising pages, make a difference in speed and performance of the computer. This program can freely affect mobile devices too. If that happens, it is even more difficult to get rid of all the pop-ups and content related to the intruder.

When you encounter any pop-ups, banners, MyDocsHere ads, or even additional installs of browser applications, toolbars, you need to take all these issues seriously and take care of the system immediately. The first indication that the machine is infected by the potentially unwanted program is the difference noticed in speed and performance of the device.

If you receive messages from unknown pages, suffer from speed issues, and also see MyDocsHere Toolbar added on the machine, check for dangerous applications as soon as possible. If you manage to find the PUP that triggers all the changes soon enough, you can get rid of it with proper anti-malware tools yourself.

If you find the installation of MyDocsHere virus already triggered and encounter all those web browser alterations, changes in default settings, and so on, you need to get a proper tool and remove the PUP. The best way to find a trustworthy AV is to base your selection on the malicious detection rate.

MyDocsHere removal can take some time if you try to find ally he associated files and programs yourself. It is not the recommended method because PUPs might install other files and programs on the machine, so you have a difficult time. You need to repair those corrupted files too. So follow steps below, and do what experts often talk about repair the damage.

Remember that MyDocsHere adds various changes to the machine, especially on your web browsing tools, so you should take care of the traces if you want to keep the privacy and security of your data. Your information can be recorded, attacked, and even shared with third-parties.

You can fully remove MyDocsHere with anti-malware tools or security programs that are designed to find anything suspicious or malicious, but the damage that virus or unwanted application is leaving behind is not fixed that way. You can recover system parts using a tool like , so run the app and fix affected files.

Screenshot of MyDocsHere: pup
MyDocsHere in our 2020 report.
Screenshot of MyDocsHere: shady tool
MyDocsHere in our 2020 report.

From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on MyDocsHere

  • MyDocsHere removal - a process that requires attention to details since PUP can install various files and programs behind your back
  • Restore functions and programs that got affected by running on the machine

How MyDocsHere got into your browser

From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since

The way that PUP developers use so they can spread their products around quickly is software installers and third-party sites that deceive people and mislead them.

The reputable program installed and popular programs get distributed online, but virus-code or just a useless tool gets included.

Performance-enhancing programs also can be distributed via promotional sites and advertising domains, so you fall for the trick without knowledge. If you choose proper methods during the installation, you can control the additional downloads. You need to always fo for Advanced or Custom options for that.

Check your browser and PC

  • Address: hp.myway.com

How to remove MyDocsHere

How to remove MyDocsHere 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.

  1. Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add

    In Chrome open chrome://extensions, in Edge edge://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 menu with Extensions and Manage extensions highlighted
    Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension

  2. Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete hp.myway.com

    In Chrome open Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, make an engine you trust the default, and delete hp.myway.com from the list.

    In Edge type search engine into 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 hp.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 Settings with the Search engine and On startup sections
    Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  3. Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install

    MyDocsHere 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

  4. 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 Settings page with the Reset settings section open
    Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  5. Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan

    A scan finds the parts of MyDocsHere 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 Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    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

Remove MyDocsHere from the machine, so you can use the computer normally again

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
Remove from Google Chrome

Make sure to clear the browser properly, so the toolbar or any application related to MyDocsHere is uninstalled

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
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
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
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

You may need to change some settings yourself, so try to reset the browser to default fully to the same time in MyDocsHere uninstall

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

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 2020 · not reviewed since

Clear the system by eliminating all the traces of MyDocsHere virus

The system that is affected by the shady PUP cannot be considered safe.

You need to remove MyDocsHere and do that as soon as you notice any pop-ups, banners, or different tools installed on the browser, directly on the computer.

It is important because the sooner you start the MyDocsHere removal, the quicker you clear all the traces and shady programs related to the PUP. There are many files and registry entries that can control the persistence and keep you from cleaning the machine properly.

Questions about MyDocsHere

How do I change my search engine back from hp.myway.com?

Open the browser's search engine settings, choose the search engine you want and set it as default, then remove hp.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 hp.myway.com back.

Did hp.myway.com come with a program I installed?

Most likely, yes. Search hijackers such as hp.myway.com usually arrive with free software, where an extra offer is pre-ticked in the installer, or as an extension that promises something useful, such as file conversion, maps, recipes or streaming.

Look at Settings, Apps, Installed apps sorted by install date: whatever was installed just before the search engine changed is the main suspect. Uninstall it, then remove any extension you do not recognise. In future, choose the custom or advanced option in installers and untick extra offers, and install extensions only from the official store pages of publishers you know.

What is hp.myway.com?

It is the search page used by the browser hijacker MyDocsHere. 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 hp.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 MyDocsHere, 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, MyDocsHere 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 hp.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 hp.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 MyDocsHere
  • clear cookies and site data for hp.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.

Can I just block hp.myway.com?

You can, but it treats the symptom. Blocking the domain in a firewall or the hosts file makes searches fail instead of redirecting, while the extension or program that set it keeps running and collecting data.

Hijacker operators also switch to new domains in updates, so a block may stop working within weeks. Remove the source instead, then set your own search engine. If you want extra protection afterwards, turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security, which stops many hijacker installers before they run.

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.

Will Fortect remove MyDocsHere?

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 MyDocsHere, 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

  1. Wikipedia: Browser hijacker (read October 6, 2026)
  2. VirusTotal: Malware detection rate (read October 6, 2026)
  3. Virusai: Virusai (read October 6, 2026)
  4. FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
  5. Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)

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