StreamsSearch: what it is and how to remove it
StreamsSearch is a browser hijacker that you might have installed with other software you downloaded from third-party websites. Once installed, the app appends an extension to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge, or Safari web browser and changes the homepage and the new tab address to streams-search.com.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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StreamsSearch: summary
| Damage | Installation of other potentially unwanted programs or malware, privacy issues, financial losses |
|---|---|
| Name | StreamsSearch |
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Infiltration | You can install a browser hijacker along with freeware downloaded from third-party sites. You might have also installed it after being tricked by an attractive ad or a fake update prompt |
| Symptoms | StreamsSearch extension installed on the web browser Homepage and new tab address is set to streams-search.com Search results are redirected to Yahoo or another search provider Search results are filled with sponsored links |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| 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
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Search page | streams-search.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 27 July 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What StreamsSearch changes in your browser
Non-Personal Information may be automatically transmitted by the user's device. When using our Service, we assign your device with a log file, a cookie (session or persistent), web beacons or other related technologies, to collect Non-Personal Information with respect to your activity in connection with our Service.
Is StreamsSearch dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
StreamsSearch is a browser extension that users your browsing information as means to profit from targeted ads
StreamsSearch is a browser hijacker that you might have installed with other software you downloaded from third-party websites.
Once installed, the app appends an extension to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge, or Safari web browser and changes the homepage and the new tab address to streams-search.com. Additionally, you should also see that your search engine is not what it used to be.
If you attempt to look for something via the StreamsSearch engine, you would also notice that all the searchers are being redirected to search.yahoo.com. Additionally, your search results would also not be genuine - multiple sponsored links and ads are inserted at the top. Behind the scenes, the so-called StreamsSearch virus is also programmed to collect personal and anonymous information, some of which can be shared with various third-parties for profits.
Just as SearchZone, StreamsSearch is yet another creation that boasts of its useful features. Users who get their browsers hijacked might initially believe that the app is an excellent addition to the browsing routine, as it includes perks like PDF converter, crypto converter, and much more. Besides, the name of the application implies that it can be used to find various streaming sites, which is not the case at all.
Besides its beneficial features, StreamsSearch also has multiple negative ones that should be considered when deciding whether it is worth keeping the app installed. First of all, it is important to note that the hijacker is spread via software bundles - a deceptive marketing technique that allows third-parties to install programs behind users' backs.
Hence, you might find the so-called StreamsSearch virus installed on your browser without permission. To avoid unintentional installations in the future, make sure to check out the second section of this article.
Besides a few additions to the homepage that users see once they get their browsers hijacked, the StreamsSearch does not bring any real value. Instead, the potentially unwanted application operates as a regular browser hijacker by redirecting all searches to another search provider and inserting sponsored links into search results.
Besides, if you are wondering whether you should remove StreamsSearch for, you should keep in mind that the app collects a variety of information with the help of various tracking technologies such as cookies, as it is stated on the official website:
The collected data may also be shared with some third parties (for example, service providers, retailers, media networks, feed providers, etc.) and may include the following details:
As you can see, you should not delay StreamsSearch removal - especially if the app was installed without your consent. While the provided functions that are inserted into the homepage may seem useful, keep in mind that your clicks on particular ads and sponsored links bring developers money.
In the meantime, you might struggle to find the information you are actually looking for, as sponsored links will hinder the genuine search results.
Besides, you will not be able to use your preferred search provider (for example, Google) unless you disable to uninstall the browser extension. To do that, you can right-click on the add-on and select "Remove from Chrome."
- Operating system
- Internet Service Provider
- IP address
- Browser type
- Language preferences
- Visited pages
- Search logs
- Links clicked, etc.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on StreamsSearch
- To eliminate an unwanted extension, access the full list of your browser add-ons.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
streams-search.com
How to remove StreamsSearch
How to remove StreamsSearch 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 streams-search.com
In Chrome open Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, make an engine you trust the default, and delete
streams-search.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 streams-search.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
StreamsSearch 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 StreamsSearch 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
To uninstall potentially unwanted applications that are not browser extensions, follow these steps on your Windows computer:
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
If you are unable to remove StreamsSearch extension in a regular way, you can attempt to do that by resetting Google Chrome browser:
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
Some browser hijackers leave unwanted browser settings even if the PUP is eliminated from the machine. Use these instructions if you want to reset 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
If you are a Mac user, you can delete unwanted applications easily by following these instructions:
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.
Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
You can prevent unintentional infiltration of unwanted software by picking appropriate installation settings
Security experts and the infosec community are constantly talking about ways of improving user computer security.
However, many people are oblivious when it comes to safe online browsing practices and remain to be careless when it comes to browsing the internet or installing software.
While there are dozens of ways how malware can access your device (although most of malicious programs can be stopped by a powerful anti-malware tool), PUPs mainly spread via one of the following methods:
First of all, you should never trust pop-up notifications such as Flash Player Update! or Pornographic virus alert from Microsoft, as all of these claims are bogus (your PC is not infected with malware, and you do not need to install Flash Player).
Also, you should learn how to install applications carefully - especially if you are keen on downloading freeware from third-parties. Untrustworthy software providers often use various tricks to make users install apps they did not intend to in the first place, e.g., they might insert several download buttons to intentionally mislead the visitor.
Once the installer is downloaded, make sure you read through the installation instructions carefully and decline all the deals or offers on the way. Also, many of such installation wizards promote running of the Recommended/Quick installation mode as an easy way to install the software. However, if you do not pick Advanced or Custom settings, you might end up with programs you never wanted.
- software bundles downloaded from third-party sites
- fake update prompts or bogus virus infection alerts
- intentional installation by users who are unaware about full capabilities of the app.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
StreamsSearch virus removal instructions
While there should not be any troubles when trying to remove StreamsSearch from your web browser, sometimes you might struggle to do so.
For example, just like the placed browser cookies might continue tracking your online activities, alternation to browser settings, such as "Managed by your organization," might prevent you from eliminating browser extensions easily.
If that is the case with the StreamsSearch hijack, you can reset your web browsers in order to prevent these restrictions. If you need guidance on how to perform these steps, follow the instructions we provide below. Besides, a powerful anti-malware software can also sometimes be useful when trying to eliminate browser hijackers.
Nonetheless, the latter is more suitable for malware elimination, so it is always a good idea to scan the system for possible infections. Hence, if you are still suffering from ads and other unwanted browser activities after StreamsSearch removal, there is a chance that other unwanted apps are present on your device, so be vigilant.
Questions about StreamsSearch
How do I change my search engine back from streams-search.com?
Open the browser's search engine settings, choose the search engine you want and set it as default, then remove streams-search.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 streams-search.com back.
Is streams-search.com a virus?
It is a browser hijacker, not a virus in the classic sense. streams-search.com is a search page that an extension or program set as your default without a clear choice from you.
It does not destroy files or spread to other PCs, but it takes control of your searches, collects them and shows ads, and the software behind it is often bundled with other unwanted programs.
Many antivirus products flag such software as potentially unwanted. Removing the extension or program and resetting the search engine is enough in most cases. A full scan afterwards checks for anything else that came with it.
What is streams-search.com?
It is the search page used by the browser hijacker StreamsSearch. 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 streams-search.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 StreamsSearch, 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, StreamsSearch 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 streams-search.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 streams-search.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 StreamsSearch
- clear cookies and site data for streams-search.com
- treat sensitive searches made in the meantime as known to a third party
Is only one browser affected?
Often not. Programs that install hijackers tend to change every browser they find, and sync can carry the extension to other computers signed in to the same browser account. Check Chrome, Edge and Firefox, even the ones you rarely use, and look at the shortcut targets on the desktop and taskbar for each.
If you use sync, remove the extension while signed in so the removal syncs too. Also check the On startup setting and the new tab page, because hijackers change those as well as the search engine.
Can I just block streams-search.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.
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.
Will Fortect remove StreamsSearch?
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 StreamsSearch, 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
- Cloudwards: What is Browser Hijacking? Sneakier Than You Think (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)