Osalo APP: what it is and how to remove it
Osalo APP is a browser hijacker that might get installed on your Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another web browser without permission, although it is also available on official sources, so intentional installation is also possible.
The authors of this potentially unwanted program claim that there is a "whole new world of browsing today with just a simple click," initially stating that the extension will provide improved search results around the web.
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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Osalo APP: summary
| Damage | Installation of other potentially unwanted software, personal information disclosure due to excessive tracking practices, financial losses, malware infections, etc. |
|---|---|
| Name | Osalo APP |
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Sub-type | Search hijacker |
| Infiltration | Potentially unwanted applications might be installed intentionally via the official sources such as Chrome Web Store, although they can also be delivered via deceptive methods, such as software bundling or fake Flash Player update prompts |
| Symptoms | Osalo APP extension installed on your web browser All the searchers are redirected via searchmes.xyz, s3arch.page or searchred01.xyz sites Search results are filled with sponsored links Increased amount of advertisements across all websites Browser errors |
| 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 7 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Search page | searchmes.xyz |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 10 June 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What Osalo APP changes in your browser
Read and change your data on all bing.com sites, google.com sites, and all searchred01.xyz sites.
Is Osalo APP dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
Search and browser hijackers are useless, and you should stay away from them
Browser extensions are useful features that can help users customize their web experience and equip them with various useful features.
However, some add-ons are not created for mutual benefits but rather only those of the developer - they do not provide any useful functions (in some cases, they might even break the functionality of the web browser or other applications/extensions) but instead feed users with ads, all while gathering, retaining and sharing their details with third-parties.
Therefore, It is always important to differentiate between a good and a bad application prior to its installation. For that, we first recommend installing an anti-malware application that includes PUP detection feature, as security vendors now use extensive databases that include deceptive add-ons or apps. Since not all unwanted or/and malicious programs can be detected at all times, we advise being vigilant when online:
- Do not trust ads that claim virus infections or that something (e.g., Java, Flash Player) is missing from your computer;
- If possible, use official sources such as Microsoft Store, App Store or Chrome Web Store for your installs;
- Read reviews on apps you are about to install;
- During the installation, always opt for Advanced settings instead of Recommended ones;
- Eliminate ticks from the pre-ticked boxes, read fine print, and watch out for other tricks that are used by third-party sites and freeware authors.
How Osalo APP got into your browser
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
Osalo APP is a browser hijacker that might get installed on your Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another web browser without permission, although it is also available on official sources, so intentional installation is also possible.
The authors of this potentially unwanted program claim that there is a "whole new world of browsing today with just a simple click," initially stating that the extension will provide improved search results around the web.
However, Osalo APP hijack is applied only with one goal in mind - to make users click on ads, which grants the app developers and some third-parties financial benefits.
While many other hijackers are immediately visible, this app use deception to hide its existence in the first place - the homepage and the new tab are not altered visually, although all searchers are performed via searchmes.xyz and s3arch.page sites, which return a multitude of sponsored links.
Browser hijackers like Babylon Toolbar or Pup.optional.ask were extremely prevalent threats that used to appear on users' web browsers seemingly out of nowhere. Unfair distribution practices and deception were common, and most unaware users had cluttered web browser UIs due to a multitude of malicious apps installed.
Personal data tracking was common practice, and persistence techniques were applied to prevent users from removing malicious apps from their web browsers. Luckily, some industry giants took steps to handle these terrible browser add-ons for good.
Many things changed, however, and web browsers such as Google Chrome is now warning about the incoming web browser changes and also displays information about what permissions the app requires post-installation. As previously mentioned, Osalo APP might be installed via software bundle packages, deceptive ads, or via the official sources. Nonetheless, this app causes much more troubles than it might initially seem.
All browser hijackers operate a relatively similar scheme - they pretend that the functionality that they provide is extremely useful (in most cases, developers boast about "enhanced" search results"), alter web browser settings in order to track users in various ways and then display them ads and sponsored links, monetizing on the scheme in the process. Only this behavior is considered unwelcome and should warrant Osalo APP removal.
Upon installation of Osalo APP virus, Google Chrome warns about the following:
This statement is extremely alarming, as it allows reading all the information that is being entered into these popular websites. Additionally, Osalo APP can also track your browsing history, essentially reading data about your browsing habits. Despite that the app is available on an official store, it does not provide a link to Privacy Policy; hence the full scope of data tracking is unknown.
Those who would want to remove Osalo APP might also be disappointing, as there are several tricks that the developer uses to prevent users from doing just that:
Luckily, you can get rid of Osalo APP by right-clicking on the extension quite easily. Nevertheless, due to deceptive practices of this PUP, we highly recommend also scanning the machine with potent anti-malware software to ensure all the elements are eliminated. Additionally, experts recommend checking the installed apps section on the computer to check for other potentially unwanted software.
Finally, if you still see Osalo APP redirects, it might be that some traces of the PUP remained on your web browser.
- When the browser is launched or the new tab accessed, no URL or visual changes can be observed (i.e., there is no initial visual representation of the hijacking);
- Extensions are meant to have visible icons within the browser. Osalo APP provides an obscure image of a "plus" sign which blends with the background;
- Once trying to access the extension details within Chrome browser settings, "No input file specified" error is delivered.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
searchmes.xyz
How to remove Osalo APP
How to remove Osalo APP 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
Osalo APP often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:
chrome://extensionsedge://extensions- Extensions and themes in Firefox
Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.
Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.
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 searchmes.xyz
Searches that pass through
searchmes.xyzmean the browser's default search engine was replaced. Chrome: Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, then Make default on Google, Bing or another engine you chose, and Delete on searchmes.xyz.Edge has the same list under Manage search engines (search the Settings page for it), and Firefox under Settings > Search.
Look at On startup and the homepage settings too and remove the hijacker's address there. Nothing in this step differs between 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
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 Osalo APP. 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 4: Reset the browser
Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
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
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 uninstall potentially unwanted applications from Windows systems, please follow these steps:
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
In case Osalo APP redirects and ads do not go away, reset Google Chrome as explained below:
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.
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 Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
Eliminate Osalo APP and other unwanted programs from your system
While this browser extension uses various deception techniques, there should not be an issue when trying to remove Osalo APP.
If you are using Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, all you have to do is right-click on an almost invisible icon of the app and select "Remove from Chrome" or "Remove Extension." However, since browser hijackers often leave several settings behind, we also recommend resetting all the installed web browsers, as we explain below.
However, Osalo APP removal might not be enough to stop browser redirects, ads, and online tracking, as there might be programs installed on your system that you might not be aware of. In such a case, you can access the list of all the installed applications and uninstall everything you do not recognize.
On the other hand, a scan with a reputable anti-malware software would be able to get rid of the Osalo APP virus, as well as most of the PUPs installed on your machine.
Questions about Osalo APP
How do I change my search engine back from searchmes.xyz?
Open the browser's search engine settings, choose the search engine you want and set it as default, then remove searchmes.xyz 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 searchmes.xyz back.
Did searchmes.xyz come with a program I installed?
Most likely, yes. Search hijackers such as searchmes.xyz 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.
Why do my searches go to searchmes.xyz?
Because the browser's default search engine was changed to it. Osalo APP did that through an extension, a program or a browser policy, and as long as that source remains, the setting points to searchmes.xyz.
The page then passes your query to a real search provider, so the results look almost normal, with extra sponsored links on top. Changing the search engine back on its own does not last, because the source resets it. Remove the extension or program first, then the policies if any, then set your own search engine.
Is it safe to keep searching with searchmes.xyz?
We would not. Every query you type is logged by its operators and shared with their advertising partners, and the sponsored links at the top are chosen for payment, not relevance. Results that look like a download page or a support site may lead to scams.
The page will not damage Windows by itself, but there is no benefit in keeping it: the results come from another search engine anyway. Remove Osalo APP and use that search engine directly, by typing its address or choosing it in the browser settings.
Which browsers does Osalo APP affect?
We saw it in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not mean the other browsers on your PC are safe: hijacker installers usually change every browser they find, and browser sync can carry an extension to other computers signed in to the same account.
Check the search engine, home page, new tab, extensions and policies in each browser you have, including ones you rarely open. Chrome and Edge profiles count separately, so switch to each profile and check it as well before you call the job done.
What does searchmes.xyz know about me?
It knows what you searched for while it was your search engine, when, from which IP address and with which browser, and usually which results you opened. Tracking cookies let it connect those searches into a profile. It does not see your saved passwords or files.
After removing Osalo APP, delete the cookies and site data for searchmes.xyz so the profile cannot be continued, and remove it from the browser's list of saved search engines. Signing out of important sites and back in also replaces session cookies.
Would an ad blocker stop Osalo APP?
Not really. An ad blocker can hide some of the sponsored results on searchmes.xyz, but it does not change your search engine back or remove the extension that set it. Your searches would still pass through the hijacker's servers and be logged.
Some ad blockers include tracking filters that block parts of the redirect chain, which can break searches altogether. Remove Osalo APP with the plan above; an ad blocker is a reasonable extra afterwards, from the official store only and from a developer with a long track record.
Should I just switch to another browser?
It may not help. Installers that add hijackers usually target every browser on the PC, and system-level changes such as the hosts file, DNS or proxy affect all browsers at once. A new browser also leaves the hijacker's program and extension in place, collecting data in the old one.
Remove Osalo APP properly first. After that, use whichever browser you prefer; Chrome, Edge and Firefox all let you set and protect your own search engine. Import your bookmarks only after the old browser is clean.
I changed the search engine, but it switched back. Why?
The hijacker is still installed, and it rewrites the setting whenever the browser starts or the extension updates. Changing the setting is the last step, not the first. Find what controls it: the search settings page usually names the extension, and a greyed-out field means a policy.
Remove that source, restart the browser, then pick your search engine and delete the hijacker's entry from the list of saved search engines so it cannot be chosen by accident. Check again after a day, when extensions have had a chance to update.
Will Fortect remove Osalo APP?
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 Osalo APP, 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
- PCWrold: Microsoft's good deed for the day: browser-hijacking Ask Toolbar gets the banhammer on Windows (read October 6, 2026)
- 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)