The Social2Search is classified as an adware (sometimes called ‘ad-supported’ software). This program is developed to make revenue. It can show annoying pop up ads within the Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, FF and MS Edge or reroute your internet browser on various ads web-pages. If you are seeing this undesired application or any other suspicious applications in the list of installed programs or its shortcut on your Desktop, then your computer is infected. As a result of the adware infection, your web-browser will be full of advertisements (pop-ups, banners, in-text links, offers to install an unwanted applications) and your personal computer will be slower and slower.
It is not a good idea to have an unwanted program like the Social2Search adware on your computer. The reason for this is simple, it doing things you do not know about. The adware can also be used to gather lots of user information which may be later transferred to third parties. You do not know if your home address, account names and passwords are safe. And of course you completely do not know what will happen when you click on any ads.
Most often, the ad-supported software such as Social2Search affects the most common web-browsers like the Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer. But such the harmful software as well may infect another web-browsers by changing its shortcuts (adding an argument like ‘http://site.address’ into Target field of a web browser’s shortcut). So every time you open the internet browser, it’ll reroute to the unwanted web site. Even if you setup a new startpage, an annoying site will be the first thing you see when you start the Chrome, IE, Mozilla Firefox and MS Edge.
The instructions below explaining steps to remove Social2Search adware problem. Feel free to use it for removal of the adware that may attack Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, FF and Microsoft Edge and other popular internet browsers. The tutorial will allow you delete adware and thereby clean your browser from all intrusive advertisements.
Social2Search adware removal steps
There exist several free adware removal tools. Also it is possible to remove Social2Search ad supported software manually. But we suggest to combine all these ways below into the one removal algorithm. Follow the steps of the guidance. Certain of the steps below will require you to close the web-page. So, please read the step by step guidance carefully, after that bookmark or print it for later reference.
How to manually uninstall Social2Search from computer
The following instructions is a step-by-step guide, which will help you manually remove Social2Search ad-supported software from your computer (Windows 10, 8, 7, XP) and the Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Edge.
Removing the Social2Search, check the list of installed software first
Some potentially unwanted programs, browser hijacking programs and ad-supported software may be uninstalled by uninstalling the free software they came with. If this way does not succeed, then looking them up in the list of installed applications in MS Windows Control Panel. Use the “Uninstall” command in order to remove them.
Windows 8, 8.1, 10
First, click Windows button
, then press Search 
. Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter as on the image below.
After the ‘Control Panel’ opens, click the ‘Uninstall a program’ link under Programs category as shown on the screen below.
You will see the ‘Uninstall a program’ panel as shown on the image below.
Very carefully look around the entire list of software installed on your machine. Most likely, one or more of them are responsible for the appearance of popup advertisements and web browser redirect to annoying ad sites. If you have many programs installed, you can help simplify the search of malicious software by sort the list by date of installation. Once you have found a suspicious, unwanted or unused application, right click to it, after that click ‘Uninstall’.
Windows XP, Vista, 7
First, click ‘Start’ button and select ‘Control Panel’ at right panel as shown in the figure below.
After the Windows ‘Control Panel’ opens, you need to click ‘Uninstall a program’ under ‘Programs’ as shown in the figure below.
You will see a list of programs installed on your computer. We recommend to sort the list by date of installation to quickly find the programs that were installed last. Most likely they responsibility for the appearance of popup advertisements and browser redirect. If you are in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing. After the application which you need to uninstall is found, simply click on its name, and then press ‘Uninstall’ as shown in the figure below.
Fix web browser shortcuts, changed by adware
After the ‘ad supported’ software is started, it can also modify the internet browser’s shortcuts, adding an argument similar “http://site.address” into the Target field. Due to this, every time you open the internet browser, it will open an intrusive web page.
To clear the web browser shortcut, right-click to it and select Properties. 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 similar “http://site.address” which has been added here. You need to delete it.
When the text is removed, click the OK button. You need to clean all shortcuts of all your browsers, as they may be infected too.
Remove Social2Search adware from Chrome
If your Chrome browser is re-directed to undesired pages, it may be necessary to completely reset your web browser program to its default settings.
- First, run the Google Chrome and click the Menu icon (icon in the form of three horizontal stripes).
- It will open the Google Chrome main menu, click the “Settings” menu.
- Next, click “Show advanced settings” link, which located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, click the “Reset settings” button.
- The Chrome will show the reset settings prompt as on the image above.
- Confirm the browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the post How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Remove Social2Search from Internet Explorer
If you find that Microsoft Internet Explorer internet browser settings such as newtab, start page and search provider by default having been changed by Social2Search ad supported software that causes multiple undesired ads and pop ups, then you may revert back your settings, via the reset browser procedure.
First, run the IE, press 
) button. Next, click “Internet Options” as shown on the screen below.
In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, click Reset button. The Microsoft Internet Explorer will open the Reset Internet Explorer settings dialog box. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and click Reset button.
You will now need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. It will disable malicious and ad-supported internet browser’s extensions and restore the Internet Explorer’s settings like new tab page, startpage and search engine by default to default state.
Get rid of Social2Search adware from FF
If your Firefox internet browser is re-directed to unwanted sites without your permission or an unknown search engine shows results for your search, then it may be time to perform the internet browser reset.
Press the Menu button (looks like three horizontal lines), and click the blue Help icon located at the bottom of the drop down menu as shown on the screen below.
A small menu will appear, click the “Troubleshooting Information”. On this page, click “Refresh Firefox” button as shown on the image below.
Follow the onscreen procedure to revert back your Firefox web browser settings to its original state.
Remove unwanted Scheduled Tasks
If an intrusive site opens automatically on Windows startup or at equal time intervals, then you need to check the Task Scheduler Library and get rid of all the tasks that have been created by malicious software.
Press Windows and R keys on your keyboard at the same time. It will open a prompt which titled with Run. In the text field, type “taskschd.msc” (without the quotes) and click OK. Task Scheduler window opens. In the left-hand side, click “Task Scheduler Library”, like below.
Task scheduler, list of tasks
In the middle part you will see a list of installed tasks. Select the first task, its properties will be display just below automatically. Next, click the Actions tab. Necessary to look at the text which is written under Details. Found something such as “explorer.exe http://site.address” or “chrome.exe http://site.address” or “firefox.exe http://site.address”, then you need remove this task. If you are not sure that executes the task, then google it. If it’s a component of the adware, then this task also should be removed.
Further click on it with the right mouse button and select Delete like below.
Task scheduler, delete a task
Repeat this step, if you have found a few tasks that have been created by malicious program. Once is done, close the Task Scheduler window.
How to remove Social2Search adware with free programs
Manual removal is not always as effective as you might think. Often, even the most experienced users can not completely get rid of Social2Search ‘ad supported’ software that causes multiple intrusive advertisements and pop ups. So, we recommend to scan your PC for any remaining harmful components with free adware removal applications below.
How to automatically delete Social2Search adware with Zemana
Zemana Anti-malware is a tool which can delete adware, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijacker infections and other malicious software from your computer easily and for free. Zemana Anti-malware is compatible with most antivirus software. It works under Windows (10 – XP, 32 and 64 bit) and uses minimum of PC system resources.
Download Zemana AntiMalware on your computer by clicking on the link below. Save it on your desktop.
164106 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
When the download is complete, close all windows on your PC system. Further, open the set up file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up like below, click the “Yes” button.
It will open the “Setup wizard” which will assist you install Zemana AntiMalware on the PC system. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once setup is finished successfully, Zemana Anti-Malware will automatically start and you can see its main window as shown on the screen below.
Next, press the “Scan” button to begin checking your personal computer for the Social2Search that developed to redirect your internet browser to various ad web-pages. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the count of files on your system and the speed of your machine. While the utility is checking, you can see how many objects and files has already scanned.
When it completes the scan, a list of all items detected is produced. Make sure all items have ‘checkmark’ and click “Next” button.
The Zemana Anti-Malware will begin to remove Social2Search that causes a large count of undesired pop up ads. When the task is done, you can be prompted to reboot your system.
Uninstall Social2Search with Malwarebytes
We recommend using the Malwarebytes Free that are completely clean your PC of the ad supported software. The free tool is an advanced malicious software removal program designed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti-malware technology. It’s able to help you remove unwanted Social2Search ‘ad supported’ software from your internet browsers, potentially unwanted programs, malicious software, browser hijackers, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your machine for free.
Download Malwarebytes on your computer by clicking on the link below. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.
326460 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once the download is finished, close all software and windows on your computer. Double-click the install file named mb3-setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as shown on the screen below, click the “Yes” button.
It will open the “Setup wizard” that will help you install Malwarebytes on your computer. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once install is finished successfully, click Finish button. Malwarebytes will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown on the image below.
Now press the “Scan Now” button for scanning your system for the Social2Search adware that designed to redirect your web-browser to various ad sites. When a threat is detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is done.
After that process is finished, you can check all threats detected on your PC. Review the report and then click “Quarantine Selected” button. The Malwarebytes will uninstall Social2Search that developed to reroute your web-browser to various ad web-sites and add items to the Quarantine. When the clean up is finished, you may be prompted to reboot the computer.
We recommend you look at the following video, which completely explains the process of using the Malwarebytes to delete adware, browser hijacker and other malware.
Use AdwCleaner to get rid of Social2Search adware
AdwCleaner is a free removal tool that can be downloaded and run to delete Social2Search which developed to reroute your web browser to various ad web-pages, hijackers, malicious software, PUPs, toolbars and other threats from your computer. You may use this tool to detect threats even if you have an antivirus or any other security program.
- Download AdwCleaner by clicking on the link below.
AdwCleaner download
225298 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024
- After the downloading process is complete, double click the AdwCleaner icon. Once this utility is started, press “Scan” button It will scan through the whole machine for the Social2Search adware that causes internet browsers to show unwanted popup advertisements. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the tool is checking, you can see count of objects and files has already scanned.
- Once that process is done, it’ll display a list of found threats. When you are ready, press “Clean” button. It will show a prompt, press “OK”.
These few simple steps are shown in detail in the following video guide.
Run AdBlocker to stay safe online
By installing an ad blocking program like AdbGuard, you are able to block unwanted ads, autoplaying video ads and delete a large amount of distracting and undesired ads on web sites.
- Download AdGuard application from the following link.
Adguard download
26656 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- When downloading is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- After the installation is done, click “Skip” to close the setup program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will help 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 launch your system, AdGuard will launch automatically and block pop-up ads, as well as other harmful or misleading web-pages. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon named AdGuard, that may be found on your desktop.
How did you get infected with Social2Search ‘ad supported’ software
The ad-supported software is usually gets on your PC as a part of free software and install themselves, with or without your knowledge, on your computer. This happens especially when you are installing a free programs. The application setup file tricks you into accepting the setup of optional software, which you do not really want. Moreover, certain paid software may also install third-party applications that you do not want! Therefore, always download free programs and paid programs from reputable download web pages. Use ONLY custom or manual install mode and never blindly press Next button.
Final words
Now your personal computer should be clean of the Social2Search that causes internet browsers to show unwanted popups. Remove AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted popup ads and intrusive harmful web sites) and Zemana Anti-malware (to periodically scan your computer for new malware, browser hijackers and adware). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Windows OS. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new hijacker infections, malicious software and adware are released.
If you are still having problems while trying to uninstall Social2Search from your computer, then ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.
