☰

SearchGamez (Easy Removal Guide) - Free Instructions

by Lucia Danes - - | Type: Browser hijacker

SearchGamez Removal Guide

What is SearchGamez?

SearchGamez – the program that controls search queries by redirecting all the searches through its own engine

SearchGamez SearchGamez - the browser-based threat that creates redirects and trigger issues with the machine when the user gets exposed to malicious content. SearchGamez – a browser hijacker that triggers reroutes of every browsing session, so you cannot access wanted content. The main goal of these potentially unwanted program creators is to gain money from views, page visits, and other interactions that happen on their site when users visit the platform. The PUP changes your browser search engine to search-gamez.com, sets this site as homepage, other default preferences, so your browser works on rerouting every session through this domain. You can also notice browser extensions, applications, tools, and other programs downloaded out of nowhere.

Once the SearchGamez virus manages to inject itself on the machine, it can easily trigger other changes and install programs to ensure the persistence of itself. When installed on the machine, the hijacker will trigger various changes in the system. You should consider the device infected when the browser is controlled by this site and when there are no settings that you normally set. Constant commercial material, banners, pop-ups, push notifications, and other material that is promoting tools or pages should be indications of the unwanted program infection.

Name SearchGamez or search-gamez.com
Type Browser hijacker[1]/ redirect virus/ potentially unwanted program
Symptoms The program creates frustration when redirects to particular sites, promotional content appears out of nowhere and creates issues with other processes
Issues When the browser hijacker runs in the background, your device becomes slower and starts running poorly. Also, PUPs and other commercial sites, third-party companies can access your information, regarding the browsing history, preferences and other more personal details
Distribution Freeware installations lead to issues with such PUPs and downloads of the intrusive programs. You may visit deceptive pages and end up on misleading pop-ups, redirect unwillingly that trigger issues for you too and silently inject shady apps on the machine[2]
Elimination SearchGamez removal happens quickly and without much difficulty, when you rely on professional anti-malware tools and clean the system properly
Repair The system might get affected more if settings get altered by the PUP itself. You should repair those parts of the machine using FortectIntego or a similar system tool

SearchGamez is the rogue software that falls in the category of a browser hijacker because it promotes search-gamez.com search engine and tries to trick users into visiting commercial sites, possibly dangerous pages. There are tons of similar intruders like this one:

Any of these programs and the SearchGamez PUP itself are considered questionable applications and search engines or even called redirect viruses because if the constant activities involving pop-ups, banners, redirects to risky commercial pages. This search engine can push other browser add-ons and tools, so pop-ups may become automatic downloads later on.

You need to remove SearchGamez fully from the system because the program that runs on the background is the one that controls all the activities. Removing the browser tools, resetting the browsing engine is not enough to tackle the intruder itself. Fully cleaning the computer is the best solution.

SearchGamez PUPSearchGamez - the program that reroutes your online searches to bogus engine.

SearchGamez search engine affects Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari, and that is the main issue when it comes to these intrusive PUPs. Besides the questionable activities, experts[3] note about the issue regarding data tracking and problems with the privacy that unwanted tools and hijackers can create.

Stay away from any pop-ups, banners, redirects, other content that is delivered by SearchGamez, so you can avoid additional installs of the more malicious or damaging tools. Remember that anything installed from the internet can be possibly dangerous and affect the performance of your machine even more.

It is important to perform SearchGamez removal as soon as possible because in most cases, PUPs can run in the background for a while before symptoms get displayed before you. Run the proper anti-malware tool and delete any possibly harmful materials. Then try to repair the damage that might be done in the background with FortectIntego. After all these procedures, you can restore web browsers fully to default.

SearchGamez hijackSearchGamez is the program that triggers issues with the machine when Search-Gamez.com gets set as the default search engine and homepage.

Browser redirects triggered by programs running in the system and browser-based apps

You get redirected to suspicious sites all the time, but extensions, browser add-ons, programs, and apps that get installed on the machine can trigger more of those pop-ups and new windows. It happens because PUP runs in the background and manages to trigger those redirects.

This also means that the site is a result of the infection, not the intruder itself. This browser hijacker or any other adware programs are results of the PUP or PUA infiltration that happens when you visit deceptive pages and allow shady tools to get installed without knowing.

Choose proper sources, official sites, providers that are reliable when you install anything. Then choose Advanced or Custom options and de-select anything from the list that raises questions. This is how you avoid PUP installs.

SearchGamez termination starts with the general system cleaning

You should focus on the SearchGamez removal immediately after finding the unwanted content bothering you. The sooner you clean this hijacker off of the machine the better because you can avoid damage that PUP causes later on.

It is not enough to clear installations form the browser to remove SearchGamez properly, as we mentioned, so you need to run the proper anti-malware tool or security application and clear any detected programs/ files this way. Your AV tools can find more of them, so eliminate any intruders to improve the performance.

Also, when the SearchGamez virus gets on the system it may affect the machine further and trigger changes in system functions, folders, programs. It often affects the registry to trigger the appearance more often, so rely on system tools and fix those issues.

You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.

Offer
do it now!
Download
Fortect Happiness
Guarantee Download
Intego Happiness
Guarantee
Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Fortect review | Terms of Use | Privacy policy | Refund Policy | Uninstall guide
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Download SpyHunter 5 Review »
Privacy policy | Terms of Use | Product Refund Policy | Uninstall Instructions
Malwarebytes
Download | Review | Privacy policy | Terms of Use | Product Refund Policy | Uninstall Instructions
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.
Download Combo Cleaner Review »
Privacy policy | Terms of Use | Product Refund Policy | Uninstall Instructions

Getting rid of SearchGamez. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

SearchGamez termination can happen by following these particular steps

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Delete from macOS

Remove items from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash) Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files. Uninstall from Mac 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 on Uninstall at the bottom. 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 Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.

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

If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick Delete Advanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:

    Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose Advanced MS Edge reset 2

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. 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 unwanted plugin 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 Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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

Remove from Google Chrome

The browser that gets affected by the SearchGamez PUP can have more tools and applications installed behind your back, so resetting the browser fully can help delete them

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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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

Delete from Safari

Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of SearchGamez registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.

How to prevent from getting browser hijacker

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 Private Internet Access 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 Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.

About the author
Lucia Danes
Lucia Danes - Virus researcher

If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.

Contact Lucia Danes
About the company Esolutions

References