The Search the Web is defined as web-browser hijacker. After its installation, it changes current settings of all your typical web browsers. It will set Search the Web as your start page, new tab and search provider by default. Thus, if you start any of the internet browsers, it will always be show this undesired site. Moreover, when you create a new tab, the Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox and MS Edge can be also rerouted to Search the Web web-page.
The Search the Web browser hijacker virus takes over your web-browser’s default search provider and controls what will be shown to you whenever you do a searching. Other than the search results, it also provides tons of annoying advertisements on the search page. Some of these advertisements designed to trick you into buying certain questionable products and software. Moreover, sometimes, those ads could redirect you to misleading or harmful web pages.
Table of contents
- What is Search the Web
- How to remove Search the Web from Windows 10, 8, 7, XP
- Block Search the Web redirect and other unwanted web sites
- Why has my homepage and search provider changed to Search the Web?
- Finish words
The Search the Web hijacker virus can alter settings of browsers, but often that the unwanted software can also infect all types of internet browsers by changing their desktop shortcuts. Thus forcing the user to see Search the Web unwanted web-site every time start the web-browser.
It’s important, don’t use Search the Web web page and do not click on ads placed on it, as they can lead you to a more harmful or misleading web pages. The best option is to use the step by step guidance posted below to free your PC of virus, delete the Search the Web redirect virus, and thereby return your favorite startpage and search engine.
How to remove Search the Web from Windows 10, 8, 7, XP
In the steps below we will have a look at the hijacker virus and how to get rid of Search the Web from Google Chrome, Firefox, IE and MS Edge web browsers for Windows 10, 8, Vista, 7, XP, natively or by using a few free removal utilities. Read it once, after doing so, please print this page as you may need to exit your browser or reboot your PC.
How to manually get rid of Search the Web
The few simple steps will help you get rid of Search the Web virus. These Search the Web removal steps work for the Chrome, IE, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge, as well as every version of Microsoft Windows operating system.
Removing the Search the Web, check the list of installed programs first
Some of potentially unwanted software, ‘ad supported’ software and virus can be removed using the Add/Remove programs tool that is located in the MS Windows Control Panel. So, if you’re running any version of MS Windows and you have noticed an unwanted program, then first try to get rid of it through Add/Remove programs.
- If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then click Windows button, next click Search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.
- If you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, then click “Start” button and press “Control Panel”.
- It will display the Windows Control Panel.
- Further, press “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
- It will open a list of all applications installed on the system.
- Scroll through the all list, and delete suspicious and unknown software. To quickly find the latest installed applications, we recommend sort software by date.
See more details in the video guide below.
Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts to delete Search the Web redirect
Once the hijacker virus is started, it can also change the browser’s shortcuts, adding an argument such as “http://site.address” into the Target field. Due to this, every time you open the browser, it will display an intrusive web-page.
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 Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer and MS Edge.
Remove Search the Web virus from Google Chrome
Reset Google Chrome settings is a easy way to remove the virus, malicious and ‘ad-supported’ extensions, as well as to recover the web-browser’s homepage, new tab and default search provider that have been replaced by Search the Web browser virus.
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, as shown in the figure below and press the “Reset settings” button.
Confirm your action, press the “Reset” button.
Get rid of Search the Web virus from IE
By resetting Internet Explorer web-browser you revert back your web browser settings to its default state. This is first when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by virus like Search the Web.
First, launch the Microsoft Internet Explorer, then click ‘gear’ icon 
. It will open the Tools drop-down menu on the right part of the web-browser, then click the “Internet Options” as on the image below.
In the “Internet Options” screen, select the “Advanced” tab, then click the “Reset” button. The Internet Explorer will open the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” dialog box. Further, click the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. Next, click the “Reset” button like below.
When the process is finished, click “Close” button. Close the Microsoft Internet Explorer and restart your PC for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your web browser’s startpage, newtab and search provider by default to default state.
Get rid of Search the Web redirect virus from Firefox
Resetting your Firefox is good initial troubleshooting step for any issues with your web-browser application, including the reroute to Search the Web site.
Click 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 image below.
A small menu will appear, click the “Troubleshooting Information”. On this page, press “Refresh Firefox” button as on the image below.
Follow the onscreen procedure to return your Firefox internet browser settings to its original state.
Use free malware removal tools to completely get rid of Search the Web redirect virus
Manual removal instructions does not always help to completely delete the hijacker virus, as it is not easy to identify and remove components of virus and all malicious files from hard disk. Therefore, it is recommended that you run malware removal tool to completely delete Search the Web off your PC system. Several free malware removal utilities are currently available that may be used against the browser virus. The optimum way would be to use Zemana Anti-malware, Malwarebytes Free and AdwCleaner.
Run Zemana Anti-malware to delete virus
We recommend using the Zemana Anti-malware which are completely clean your personal computer of the browser hijacker virus. The tool is an advanced malware removal program made by (c) Zemana lab. It is able to help you get rid of potentially unwanted programs, adware, malware, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your system for free.
Download Zemana Anti Malware from the link below.
164897 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
Once the download is complete, close all programs and windows on your computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup like below.
When the install begins, you will see the “Setup wizard” which will help you setup Zemana Anti-Malware on your personal computer.
Once install is complete, you will see window as shown on the image below.
Now click the “Scan” button It’ll scan through the whole computer for the Search the Web hijacker virus and other security threats. This process can take quite a while, so please be patient. When a malware, ad-supported software or PUPs are found, the count of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is finished.
After it completes the scan, it will display a list of all threats found by this utility. Review the scan results and then click “Next” button.
The Zemana Anti-malware will start to get rid of hijacker infection that causes browsers to display undesired Search the Web web-page.
Automatically remove Search the Web redirect virus with Malwarebytes
We suggest using the Malwarebytes Free. You can download and install Malwarebytes to detect and get rid of Search the Web virus from your PC. When installed and updated, the free malware remover will automatically scan and detect all threats exist on the personal computer.
Download Malwarebytes from the link below.
327151 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once the downloading process is complete, close all software and windows on your PC system. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named mb3-setup as shown below.
When the installation starts, you will see the “Setup wizard” which will help you install Malwarebytes on your computer.
Once setup is finished, you will see window as shown on the image below.
Now click the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan with this utility for the Search the Web browser hijacker infection and other kinds of potential threats such as malicious software and ‘ad supported’ software. When a malicious software, ad supported software or potentially unwanted programs are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.
When it has finished scanning, you will be displayed the list of all detected items on your computer. All detected threats will be marked. You can remove them all by simply click “Quarantine Selected” button.
The Malwarebytes will now start to remove browser hijacker that causes browsers to show annoying Search the Web site. When that process is finished, you may be prompted to restart your computer.
The following video explains guide on how to delete browser hijacker, ad-supported software and other malware with Malwarebytes Anti-malware.
Use AdwCleaner to delete Search the Web from the system
If MalwareBytes anti-malware or Zemana antimalware cannot remove this virus, then we suggests to run the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal utility for hijackers, adware, PUPs and toolbars.
- Download AdwCleaner from the link below.
AdwCleaner download
225574 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024
- When the downloading process is complete, double click the AdwCleaner icon. Once this tool is opened, click “Scan” button to begin checking your system for the Search the Web browser hijacker and other malicious software and ad supported software. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient.
- After finished, it will show a screen which contains a list of malicious software that has been found. Review the results once the utility has complete the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click “Clean” button. It will open a prompt, click “OK”.
These few simple steps are shown in detail in the following video guide.
Block Search the Web redirect and other unwanted web sites
It is also critical to protect your web-browsers from malicious sites and advertisements by using an adblocker program like AdGuard. Security experts says that it’ll greatly reduce the risk of malware, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard can also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.
- Download AdGuard application from the following link.
Adguard download
26863 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- When downloading is finished, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- When the installation is finished, click “Skip” to close the installation 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 don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your personal computer, AdGuard will launch automatically and block popup advertisements, web-pages such Search the Web, as well as other malicious 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 is located on your desktop.
Why has my homepage and search provider changed to Search the Web?
Many browser hijacker viruses such as Search the Web are included in the freeware installation package. Most often, a user have a chance to disable all included “offers”, but some installers are designed to confuse the average users, in order to trick them into installing an ad-supported software or potentially unwanted programs. Anyway, easier to prevent the virus rather than clean up your computer after one. So, keep the internet browser updated (turn on automatic updates), run a good antivirus applications, double check a free programs before you open it (do a google search, scan a downloaded file with VirusTotal), avoid malicious and unknown web-pages.
Finish words
Now your PC should be clean of the Search the Web virus. Uninstall AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop-up ads and unwanted harmful web sites) and Malwarebytes (to periodically scan your PC for new malware, browser hijackers and adware). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Windows 10 (8, 7, Vista, XP). Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new browser hijacker, harmful applications and ‘ad supported’ software are released.
If you are still having problems while trying to remove Search the Web bar virus from Windows 10 (8, 7, Vista, XP) or your internet browser, then ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.
