Untsorce.cool ads: what it is and how to remove it
Untsorce.cool is a redirect virus that users might encounter at any time while browsing the web on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Brave, MS Edge, or another browser. Many users reported that they suddenly are taken to the site without prior warning, and it is often filled with various undesirable content, such as intrusive pop-up ads, scam messages, and even malicious downloads.
Facts checked October 7, 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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Untsorce.cool ads: summary
| Damage | Installation of other potentially unwanted programs or malware, sensitive data disclosure to cybercriminals, money loss |
|---|---|
| Name | Untsorce.cool |
| Type | Adware, browser redirect virus |
| Infiltration | Malicious websites, third-party freeware sites, torrent sites, fake updates, etc. |
| Symptoms | Random redirects to suspicious websites, intrusive advertisements on all visited websites, |
| Detection | Multiple anti-virus engines mark the domain as malicious (Virus Total scan results); no Microsoft detection name is known for this name |
| 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 5 more facts
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Program | Untsorce.cool |
| First seen | 17 February 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Is Untsorce.cool ads dangerous?
From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since
Untsorce.cool is a browser infection that tries to establish background connections to malicious sites
Untsorce.cool is a redirect virus that users might encounter at any time while browsing the web on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Brave, MS Edge, or another browser.
Many users reported that they suddenly are taken to the site without prior warning, and it is often filled with various undesirable content, such as intrusive pop-up ads, scam messages, and even malicious downloads. In other words, Untsorce.cool hijack is something that most would like to get rid of as soon as possible.
In some cases, users who were using third-party web security solutions were blocked from entering the site. However, they could not remove Untsorce.cool virus' intrusive behavior, as it kept coming back regularly - particularly when they clicked on a link or accessed a new website.
The reason for this behavior is one of the following: either there is a potentially unwanted program (namely, adware) installed on your system, or there is a browser infection that keeps trying to enable background connection to the Untsorce.cool site.
Initially, adware is not considered to be as bad as malware by most (although some security advocates disagree). Most of the regular users agree that pop-ups, deals, banners, offers, in-text links, auto-play, and other types of ads are never a pleasant experience when browsing the web, while others are unaware that the PUP is causing the unwanted behavior.
That being said, the adware can sometimes pose just as great danger as malware and redirects to Untsorce.cool or similar domains should never be ignored.
Adware is usually distributed with the help of software bundle packages that are downloaded from third-party sites. Due to deceptive offers within the installers or misleading download buttons on those sites, users might sometimes install software they never intended to in the first place. As a result, they might think that Untsorce.cool ads and redirects came seemingly out of nowhere.
Besides Untsorce.cool redirects, users may also notice the following symptoms:
Additionally, it is also important to note that most adware apps are using web beacons, Flash cookies, pixels, and other tracking technologies to gather information about users. This data usually includes the device's technical details, installed apps, IP addresses, visited websites, search queries, etc. In some cases, even private information might be collected, so Untsorce.cool adware might be a risk to privacy.
We also advise using for best results, especially if the computer is suffering from stability issues after adware/malware termination.
Untsorce.cool removal might sometimes not be successful even after the suspicious apps are uninstalled from the system. In such a case, users should try to reset all the installed browsers or reset Google Chrome's sync, as some of the settings are stored on Google's servers that third-party antivirus solutions do not have access to.
- A different homepage and new tab URL is set on the web browser;
- Altered search engine directs searches that are filled with sponsored links;
- Intrusive advertisements show up on all visited websites;
- Some web pages take awhile to load;
- Unknown browser extensions installed without permission, etc.
From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since
Unsafe software downloads and unintentional clicks might lead to browser problems
While it may seem the web is safe (considering that there is a tremendous amount of effort put into security by industry giants like Google, Apple, and Microsoft), it most certainly is not, as users' actions also have an impact on one's online safety.
There are thousands of websites that are being blocked daily due to malicious activities such as scam, phishing, or malware, but it is likely that cybercrooks are launching twice as much. As a result, Google and other sources cannot block the vast amount of malicious content immediately, and some get exposed to it.
Therefore, we highly advise users to employ additional security measures, including third-party web protection applications, ad-block extension, and a Firewall. These measures will significantly diminish the possibility of being affected by various internet dangers. As mentioned above, however, users' actions are also very critical, so stay away from high-risk sites like torrents, gambling, and online gaming.
Finally, you should also consider avoiding freeware applications from third-parties. The installers are typically compiled in a way that deliberately hides optional components, so users let in unwanted browser extensions, system optimizers, PDF converters, and other adware into their system without knowing it. If you insist on downloading programs from third-party sources, do it very carefully:
- Make sure that the app you are downloading is not deceptive - read about it online first;
- Check for important documents, such as Terms of Service and Privacy Policy;
- Always opt for Advanced or Custom installation settings instead of Recommended ones to stay in control;
- Watch out for pre-ticked boxes, misleading offers, misplaced buttons, and other tricks used by freeware authors.
From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Untsorce.cool
- In other cases, resetting web browsers, as well as a sync option, might help with getting rid of Untsorce.cool
- Adware and malware may damage system components and make it unstable.
How to remove Untsorce.cool ads
How to stop the Untsorce.cool redirects
Work in this order and test a few links after each step, so you know which one was the cause.
Step 1: Check the browser's extensions
Redirects on sites that normally behave mean something in the browser is sending you there. In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Edgeedge://extensions, in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially new tab, search, coupon, PDF or video downloader add-ons. The extension pages look 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: Reset the browser if the redirects continue
If the unwanted pages still open after the extensions are gone, put the browser's settings back to their defaults. 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 site permissions, the start page and the search engine are reset.
Redirects that survive a reset in every browser point to a program installed in Windows 11 or Windows 10, so uninstall anything you do not recognise in Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 3: Scan the PC if you downloaded anything from the ads
If you only saw the notifications and clicked nothing, you can stop before this step. If a notification led you to download or run something, delete that file, then scan Windows.
In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan, then choose Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and Scan now. The offline scan restarts the PC and takes about 15 minutes on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
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 remove Untsorce.cool adware from your machine, go to the Control Panel > Programs and Features section on Windows:
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
Remove from Google Chrome
It is vital to reset Google Chrome to ensure that traces of adware are eliminated, and the unwanted behavior does not come back:
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
If you are using macOS and suffering from adware, follow these steps:
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.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since
Get rid of Untsorce.cool virus for good
Some browser and computer infections might be easy to get rid of, although Untsorce.cool removal proved to be difficult to some.
Cybercriminals constantly come up with new ideas on how to gain profits from users by exposing them to ads, and also employ new technologies to achieve it. Therefore, in some cases, the termination of unwanted browser behavior might not be as simple as uninstalling unwanted apps in a regular way.
Despite that, we highly suggest you follow our guide below to find and eliminate unwanted programs on your system and then perform a full system scan with anti-malware software - it might just be enough to remove Untsorce.cool virus from your computer.
If you are using Google Chrome, the cause for Untsorce.cool redirects might be related to the synced items - these might include malicious caches. To do that, go to Google's Chrome Sync page, and select Reset Sync at the very bottom (this will not remove your extensions, bookmarks, and other settings - it will only reset these on Google's servers).
Questions about Untsorce.cool ads
What is Untsorce.cool and why is it on my PC?
Untsorce.cool is a program that was installed on the PC, most likely together with something else you downloaded. Free software sites and many installers add extra programs on setup pages with pre-ticked boxes, so the extra install looks like your choice even though nobody read the page.
Check the install date in Settings, Apps, Installed apps: the program you installed that day is the probable carrier. If you do not need Untsorce.cool, uninstall it. If it belongs to your hardware or to a program you use, search its exact name and publisher first, because drivers and their tools can have unfamiliar names.
Untsorce.cool will not uninstall. What can I do?
First restart the PC and try again, because the program may have been running and locked its own files. If the uninstaller is missing or fails, start Windows in Safe Mode, where most third-party programs do not start, and remove Untsorce.cool from Installed apps there.
If it still refuses, delete its startup entry and its scheduled task, restart, and try once more. A program that actively prevents removal is behaving like malware, so finish with a Microsoft Defender offline scan. Avoid third-party uninstallers offered on search ads; several of them are unwanted programs themselves.
Why didn't my antivirus catch Untsorce.cool?
Many security products do not block adware or notification sites by default, because users often agreed to them, even through a misleading prompt. Notification spam installs nothing at all, so there is no file to detect.
In Windows 11 you can make Microsoft Defender block potentially unwanted apps: open Windows Security > App & browser control > Reputation-based protection settings and turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking. If notifications caused the pop-ups, no scanner will report them; the fix is in the browser's site settings.
Can adware slow down my PC?
Yes. Adware runs in the background, loads ad scripts, opens extra tabs and contacts its servers, all of which use processor time, memory and bandwidth. Ad-heavy extensions also slow down every page, because they inspect and change it before you see it.
The effect is strongest on older PCs and when several adware programs arrived together. After removal, restart the PC and check Task Manager for anything still using a lot of resources that you do not recognise. Speed usually returns to normal once the ads stop.
An ad showed a phone number and I called it. What now?
The number belongs to scammers, not to Microsoft or an antivirus company. If you only talked, hang up and do not call back. If you let them connect to the PC, disconnect it from the internet, uninstall the remote access program they used, such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, ScreenConnect or UltraViewer, and run a full and offline scan.
If you paid or gave bank details, call your bank at once on the number printed on your card. Change any passwords you typed while they were connected, and report the call.
Does adware steal passwords?
Ordinary adware is built to show ads, not to steal logins, and most of it never touches saved passwords. The line is blurry, though. Extensions that can read every page could capture what you type, and adware ads sometimes lead to phishing pages that ask for passwords directly.
If you entered credentials on a page reached through an ad, change that password from a clean device and turn on two-step verification. Otherwise, removing ad redirect domain and clearing cookies is usually enough.
I clicked on one of the ads. Am I infected?
Probably not. Clicking an ad usually only opens a page, and a page cannot install programs on an up-to-date Windows PC without your help.
You are at risk only if you then downloaded and ran a file, allowed notifications, entered card or login details, or called a phone number shown on the page. Delete any download and run a full and offline scan.
Change passwords you typed, from a clean device. Call your bank if you gave card details. If you called a number or allowed remote access, see the next question.
Is Untsorce.cool a virus?
Not in the strict sense: Untsorce.cool is unwanted software, classed here as an ad redirect domain, not a self-copying virus. Our report lists this damage: Installation of other potentially unwanted programs or malware, sensitive data disclosure to cybercriminals, money loss.
Security programs often label such software as adware, a potentially unwanted program or a browser hijacker. It still needs removal, because it changes browser settings, shows ads and can lead you to unsafe pages. The larger risk is clicking an ad that leads to a fake update or scam page.
Will Fortect remove Untsorce.cool?
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 Untsorce.cool, 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
- Emsisoft: There's no malware on my PC, so why does Google redirect me to dodgy websites? (read October 7, 2026)
- Reddit: Help on removing untsource.cool virus (read October 7, 2026)
- Google Chrome Help: Use notifications to get alerts (no longer online) (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)