Websearch.helpmefindyour.info: what it is and how to remove it
Websearch.helpmefindyour.info is one of these annoying search engines that may cause unwanted redirections to suspicious-looking websites. Besides, such search sites may travel around in a bundle with cookies that may track users' browsing habits and data that is related to them.
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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Websearch.helpmefindyour.info: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Websearch.helpmefindyour.info |
| Type | Unwanted browser or VPN app |
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps |
| 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 4 more facts
| Evidence | One write-up by a security site; details still limited |
|---|---|
| Program | Websearch.helpmefindyour.info |
| First seen | 8 May 2015 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Is Websearch.helpmefindyour.info safe? Why it is flagged
From our report of May 2015 · not reviewed since
What is Websearch.helpmefindyour.info?
Websearch.helpmefindyour.info is one of these annoying search engines that may cause unwanted redirections to suspicious-looking websites.
Besides, such search sites may travel around in a bundle with cookies that may track users' browsing habits and data that is related to them. Typically, such programs record information about people's mostly visited websites, data that they enter when visiting them, their computers' IP address or location, users' email address information and similar data.
No matter that it is considered as personally non-identifiable, we still believe that you should keep it for yourself. Otherwise, you can't be guaranteed that this data won't be sent to unknown third parties. Finally, you may notice annoying ads during your browsing that may be filled with relevant information, which is typically selected according to collected data.
After clicking these ads, you may be redirected to unknown websites that are typically seeking to increase their page rank or sales. If you don't want to find yourself on a really suspicious domain, you have to stay away form Websearch.helpmefindyour.info redirects as far as possible.
The last thing that you should remember about this search engine is that its search results may be altered. In most of the cases, they have nothing in common with the ones that are displayed by Google, Bing or other well known search engine.
That's the easiest way to detect suspicious files and remove them from the system. They are the ones that are responsible for changes of your homepage and the default search engine. Beware that this can be done on each of your Internet browser (it may affect Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer, but hasn't been noticed on Safari yet).
From our report of May 2015 · not reviewed since
How can Websearch.helpmefindyour.info hijack my computer?
Redirections to websearch.helpmefindyour.info may start interrupting you right after installing a free program that is related to this search engine.
That's because it has been actively spread with the help of bundling. If you want to avoid this, you have to monitor installation of every download.
If this search engine manages to enter the system, it may modify some of its settings and then may start causing Websearch.helpmefindyour.info ads, redirects, tracking and similar issues during each of your search sessions. Besides, it may slow down your computer and may initiate serious problems when trying to get rid of it.
How to uninstall Websearch.helpmefindyour.info
How to remove Websearch.helpmefindyour.info
Uninstall it, then set your own browser and search engine back, because it changes both.
Step 1: Uninstall Websearch.helpmefindyour.info
Websearch.helpmefindyour.info is removed like any other program, from the list of installed apps. In Windows 11 that is Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and in both you can also use Control Panel > Programs and Features.
Select Websearch.helpmefindyour.info, click Uninstall and follow the uninstaller to the end. Then look at the entries just above and below it when the list is sorted by date: bundled programs install at the same minute.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 2: Remove it from startup
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and select Startup apps (Windows 11) or the Startup tab (Windows 10). Disable entries you do not recognise, especially ones with no publisher or with a name that copies a Windows component.
Right-click an entry and choose Open file location to see where it runs from: programs in
%AppData%or%Temp%deserve a closer look. Some entries are not listed there but in the registry Run keys, which the procedure below shows how to check.Full procedure with screenshots: Stop apps from opening at startup On uGetFix
Step 3: Delete the folders left behind
Uninstalling often leaves the program's folders, and some threats reinstall themselves from them.
Press Windows + R, type
%LocalAppData%and press Enter, then do the same for%AppData%and %ProgramData%, and look for folders named after Websearch.helpmefindyour.info, its publisher or created on the day the problem started. Delete those folders, and check C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86) too.If Windows says a file is in use, end it in Task Manager or delete the folder after a restart in Safe Mode. The folders are the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of Websearch.helpmefindyour.info 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
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
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.
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 May 2015 · not reviewed since
HOW TO REMOVE Websearch.helpmefindyour.info virus?
Of course, make sure you use updated versions of these programs.
You can also try unninstalling websearch.helpmefindyour.info via Add/Remove Programs list, but this doesn't guarantee that you will get rid of all files that belong to this threat. For that, follow these steps:
Questions about Websearch.helpmefindyour.info
What is Websearch.helpmefindyour.info and why is it on my PC?
Websearch.helpmefindyour.info 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 Websearch.helpmefindyour.info, 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.
Websearch.helpmefindyour.info came back after I uninstalled it. Why?
Something else is reinstalling it. Common causes are a second program from the same publisher, a scheduled task that downloads it again, or a browser extension that keeps prompting for it. Sort Installed apps by install date and uninstall each entry from the same day that you did not choose.
Then open Task Scheduler and look in the Task Scheduler Library for tasks with updater-style names that you do not recognise. Check Startup apps in Task Manager too. If Websearch.helpmefindyour.info still returns, start Windows in Safe Mode, uninstall it there and run a Microsoft Defender offline scan, which looks for loaders that ordinary scans can miss.
Is Websearch.helpmefindyour.info safe to keep?
It is not dangerous in the way malware is: it does not steal passwords or encrypt files. It can still cost money through subscriptions, show ads that lead to scam pages, collect usage data and slow the start of Windows. If you installed Websearch.helpmefindyour.info on purpose and find it useful, you can keep it:
- turn off start with Windows
- offers and data sharing in its settings
- choose Custom during updates
If you do not know where it came from, remove it, together with anything installed on the same day.
How do I stop programs like Websearch.helpmefindyour.info from installing?
Turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security > App & browser control > Reputation-based protection settings, with both Block apps and Block downloads checked. Download programs from the developer's own site or the Microsoft Store, choose Custom in installers and untick extra offers, and treat large download buttons on file sites as ads.
Apps from the Microsoft Store are checked by Microsoft and uninstall cleanly. Keep real-time protection on, so that bundled offers flagged as unwanted are stopped before they install.
Is Websearch.helpmefindyour.info a virus?
Not in the strict sense. Nothing reported so far shows Websearch.helpmefindyour.info copying itself, encrypting files or stealing passwords, which is what security companies mean by a virus.
What people see is websearch.helpmefindyour.info in the list of installed apps, which fits an unwanted program: software that arrives bundled with something else and keeps running without being asked for. Many antivirus programs label such software PUP or PUA rather than malware.
That label does not make it harmless. It still uses your PC and connection, may collect data and is often bundled with other programs, so removing it is the right call. Uninstall it from Installed apps, then check startup items and browser settings for its companions.
Does Websearch.helpmefindyour.info collect my data?
Nobody has analysed Websearch.helpmefindyour.info yet, so there is no confirmed answer. Programs in this category often collect usage data, browsing history or device details and share them with advertisers, and their privacy policies usually allow it.
The sign reported, websearch.helpmefindyour.info in the list of installed apps, does not by itself show data theft, and nothing points to passwords or files being taken.
If you want to be careful, clear the browser's cookies after removal and review which apps may run in the background. Change passwords only if you also see signs of something more serious, such as unknown sign-ins or messages sent from your accounts.
Why does Websearch.helpmefindyour.info reinstall itself?
Programs like Websearch.helpmefindyour.info are often installed with an updater or a companion app whose job is to keep them present. When you uninstall the main program, the helper downloads it again at the next scheduled run or restart.
Find the helper by sorting Installed apps by date and by checking Task Scheduler and Services for entries with the same name or publisher. Remove them all, then delete leftover folders. Turning on Potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security also stops many reinstall attempts.
Can Windows Security remove Websearch.helpmefindyour.info?
Often yes, if Potentially unwanted app blocking is on. Microsoft Defender detects many bundled and unwanted programs as PUA, but by default it only blocks them during download in some cases. For a program already installed, uninstall it yourself from Installed apps first, then run a full scan in Windows Security to catch leftovers.
If websearch.helpmefindyour.info in the list of installed apps returns after that, run the Microsoft Defender offline scan, which works before Windows starts. Switching on the PUA setting afterwards helps keep similar programs out.
Websearch.helpmefindyour.info will not uninstall. What can I do?
Close it first: in Task Manager, select every process with its name and click End task, and exit its tray icon. Then uninstall it from Settings > Apps > Installed apps. If the uninstaller fails, shows an error or just reopens offers, restart Windows in Safe Mode, where third-party programs do not start, and uninstall from there.
Afterwards, delete its folders in C:\Program Files and %AppData%, remove its scheduled tasks and run a full scan in Windows Security. As a last step, System Restore to a date before the install can help.
Will Fortect remove Websearch.helpmefindyour.info?
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 Websearch.helpmefindyour.info, 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
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 7, 2026)