How to remove Greatsearch.org [Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge]

Except that the Greatsearch.org alters internet browser’s start page, it also replaces a search engine, which leads to the fact that use of the web browser’s search becomes uncomfortable. The reason for this is that the search results will consist of a lot of ads, links to unwanted and ad pages and only the remaining part is search results for your query from well-known search engines such as Google or Bing.

The Greatsearch.org browser hijacker is not a virus, but the virus behaves similarly. As a rootkit hides in the system, changes some settings of web-browsers, and blocks them from changing. Also this hijacker may install additional browser addons, extensions and modules that will show advertisements and popups. And finally, the Greatsearch.org hijacker may gather user information like what web-pages you are opening, what you’re looking for the Net and so on. This information, in the future, can be transferred to third parties.

Thus, it’s clear that the presence of browser hijacker on your personal computer is not desirable, and you need to clean up your computer ASAP. Follow the tutorial below in order to remove Greatsearch.org unwanted search.

Greatsearch.org search removal guide

The answer is right here on this page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will help you easily to clean your PC system of hijacker. Moreover, you can choose manual or automatic removal method. If you are familiar with the computer then use manual removal, otherwise run the free antimalware utility created specifically to remove browser hijacker infection such as Greatsearch.org. Of course, you can combine both methods. Read this manual carefully, bookmark or print it, because you may need to close your web browser or reboot your computer.

Manual Greatsearch.org removal

The tutorial will help you remove Greatsearch.org search. These Greatsearch.org removal steps work for the Firefox, Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge, as well as every version of Microsoft Windows operating system. Some of the steps may require you to close the web-browser or reboot your machine. So, bookmark or print it for later reference.

Remove Greatsearch.org associated software by using Windows Control Panel

Some PUPs, browser hijacking software and ‘ad supported’ software may be deleted by uninstalling the free programs they came with. If this way does not succeed, then looking them up in the list of installed programs in Windows Control Panel. Use the “Uninstall” command in order to remove them.

1. If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then click Windows button, next press Search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.
2. If you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, then press “Start” button and click “Control Panel”.
3. It will display the Windows Control Panel.
4. Further, click “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
5. It will open a list of all applications installed on the PC.
6. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall suspicious and unknown applications. To quickly find the latest installed applications, we recommend sort applications by date.

See more details in the video instructions below.

Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts to remove Greatsearch.org search

Now you need to clean up the internet browser shortcuts. Check that the shortcut referring to the right exe-file of the web-browser, and not on any unknown file.

Right click on the web browser’s shortcut, click Properties option. On the Shortcut tab, locate the Target field. Click inside, you will see a vertical line – arrow pointer, move it (using -> arrow key on your keyboard) to the right as possible. You will see a text “http://site.address” that has been added here. Remove everything after .exe. An example, for Google Chrome you should remove everything after chrome.exe.

To save changes, press OK . You need to clean all web browser’s shortcuts. So, repeat this step for the Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.

Delete Greatsearch.org from Chrome

Run the Reset web browser tool of the Google Chrome to reset all its settings such as homepage, new tab and default search engine to original defaults. This is a very useful tool to use, in the case of web-browser hijacks like Greatsearch.org.

Open the Google Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will display the drop-down menu. Next, click to “Settings” option.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Show advanced settings” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, like below and click the “Reset settings” button.

Confirm your action, press the “Reset” button.

Remove Greatsearch.org from Firefox

Run the Firefox and press the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the browser screen. Next, click the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will open the slide-out menu.

Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you are unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page like below.

Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation dialog box. The FF will start a process to fix your problems that caused by the Greatsearch.org PC infection. When, it is complete, click the “Finish” button.

Delete Greatsearch.org homepage from Internet Explorer

By resetting Internet Explorer internet browser you return your web browser settings to its default state. This is basic when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by browser hijacker like Greatsearch.org.

First, run the Microsoft Internet Explorer, then click ‘gear’ icon . It will display the Tools drop-down menu on the right part of the web browser, then click the “Internet Options” as shown in the figure below.

In the “Internet Options” screen, select the “Advanced” tab, then press the “Reset” button. The Internet Explorer will show the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” dialog box. Further, click the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. Next, press the “Reset” button as shown below.

When the procedure is finished, click “Close” button. Close the Microsoft Internet Explorer and reboot your PC system for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your web browser’s startpage, new tab page and default search engine to default state.

How to remove Greatsearch.org homepage with freeware

Many antivirus companies have designed programs that help detect and delete PC infection, and thereby restore all your typical web browsers settings. Below is a a few of the free programs you may want to run. You PC can have a huge number of PUPs, adware and browser hijackers installed at the same time, so we recommend, if any unwanted or malicious program returns after restarting the system, then start your PC into Safe Mode and run the anti malware utility again.

Scan and free your computer of browser hijacker with Malwarebytes

We recommend using the Malwarebytes Free. You can download and install Malwarebytes to detect and get rid of Greatsearch.org homepage from your system. When installed and updated, the free malware remover will automatically scan and detect all threats present on the computer.

1. Download Malwarebytes (MBAM) by clicking on the link below.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware
   326457 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: April 15, 2020
   
2. Close all software and windows on your personal computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named mb3-setup.
3. Further, click Next button and follow the prompts.
4. Once installation is finished, click the “Scan Now” button to start checking your PC for Greatsearch.org PC infection. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient.
5. When the scan is finished, make sure all entries have “checkmark” and press “Quarantine Selected”. Once disinfection is complete, you may be prompted to reboot your machine.

The following video offers a step-by-step guide on how to get rid of browser hijacker with Malwarebytes.

Double-check for potentially unwanted software with AdwCleaner

If MalwareBytes antimalware cannot delete this hijacker, then we suggests to run the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal utility for browser hijackers, ad supported software, PUPs and toolbars.

Download AdwCleaner tool from the link below. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

After the download is finished, open the directory in which you saved it and double-click the AdwCleaner icon. It will run the AdwCleaner tool and you will see a screen as shown below. If the User Account Control dialog box will ask you want to open the program, press Yes button to continue.

Next, click “Scan” to start checking your computer for the Greatsearch.org browser hijacker and other malware and ad-supported software.

Once the scan is done is complete, it will show a list of all items detected by this tool as shown on the screen below.

You need to click “Clean” button. It will open a prompt. Click “OK” to start the cleaning process. When the clean up is complete, the AdwCleaner may ask you to reboot your machine. After restart, the AdwCleaner will display the log file.

All the above steps are shown in detail in the following video instructions.

Block Greatsearch.org homepage and other unwanted web-sites

Enabling an ad-blocker program like AdGuard is an effective way to alleviate the risks. Additionally, ad-blocker software will also protect you from malicious ads and web sites, and, of course, stop redirection chain to Greatsearch.org and simular web-pages.

Download AdGuard program from the following link.

When the download is done, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as shown on the image below.

Follow the prompts. When the installation is complete, you will see a window as shown below.

You can click “Skip” to close the setup application and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.

In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you start your PC system, AdGuard will run automatically and block pop-ups, web-pages such Greatsearch.org, as well as other dangerous or misleading web-sites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, which is located on your desktop.

Tips to prevent Greatsearch.org and other unwanted applications

I want to note that the Greatsearch.org browser hijacker spreads in the composition together with various free programs. This means that you need to be very careful when installing software downloaded from the Web, even from a large proven hosting. Be sure to read the Terms of Use and the Software license, select only the Manual, Advanced or Custom setup mode, switch off all additional modules and programs are offered to install. That negligence when running unknown programs may lead to the fact that the browser settings will be changed to Greatsearch.org. The very appearance Greatsearch.org search instead of your homepage is a sign of necessity to perform cleanup of your computer. Moreover, this browser hijacker infection can lead to slow the web browser, plus delays when starting and when viewing pages on the Internet.

Finish words

Now your PC system should be clean of the Greatsearch.org startpage. Delete AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep Malwarebytes (to periodically scan your PC for new malicious software, browser hijackers and ‘ad supported’ software) and AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop-ups and malicious web-pages). Moreover, to prevent browser hijackers, please stay clear of unknown and third party applications, make sure that your antivirus program, turn on the option to scan for PUPs (potentially unwanted programs).

If you need more help with Greatsearch.org search related issues, go to our Spyware/Malware removal forum.