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How to remove Configs Search [Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge]

Myantispyware team November 14, 2017    

There are many types of malware, the most common type is the browser hijacker. The browser hijacker like Configs Search have a negative impact on the functioning of your system by changing settings of all your typical web browsers. The main function of the Configs Search browser hijacker is redirect you to an undesired web-site, instead of the one that you want to visit. Even if you try to manually open your start page, your web-browser is anyway show another site.

When you perform a search via Configs Search, in addition to search results from Yahoo, Bing or Google Custom Search which provide links to web pages, news articles, images or videos you will also be shown lots of unwanted ads. The devs behind Configs Search doing this to earn advertising revenue from these advertisements.

In addition to that, as was mentioned earlier, some browser hijacker infections such as Configs Search to also modify all browsers shortcuts which located on your Desktop or Start menu. So, every affected shortcut will try to redirect your internet browser to annoying web sites, some of which might be harmful. It can make the whole PC more vulnerable to hacker attacks.

We recommend you to free your PC system of hijacker infection as quickly as possible. Use the step by step instructions below that will help to delete Configs Search redirect and adware, that can be installed onto your computer along with it.

Remove Configs Search

When a hijacker such as the Configs Search gets installed on your PC system without your knowledge, it is not easy to remove. In many cases, there is no Uninstall program that simply uninstall the hijacker responsible for redirecting your web browser to Configs Search page from your PC. So, we suggest using several well-proven free specialized tools such as Zemana, MalwareBytes Free or AdwCleaner. But the best way to remove Configs Search will be to perform several manual steps, after that additionally run antimalware tools.




If you are using an Apple computer running Mac OS, then use the following step-by-step guidance How to remove browser hijacker, pop-ups, ads from Mac

To remove Configs Search, complete the steps below:

  1. Remove Configs Search without any tools
    • Uninstall Configs Search associated software by using Windows Control Panel
    • Remove Configs Search homepage from Google Chrome
    • Remove Configs Search start page from IE
    • Remove Configs Search redirect from Firefox
    • Fix hijacked web-browsers shortcuts to delete Configs Search home page
  2. Configs Search automatic removal
    • How to automatically remove Configs Search with Zemana Free
    • Scan and clean your personal computer of browser hijacker with Malwarebytes
    • Get rid of Configs Search browser hijacker and malicious extensions with AdwCleaner
  3. Block Configs Search and other annoying web sites
  4. How does your PC get infected with Configs Search browser hijacker infection
  5. To sum up

Remove Configs Search without any tools

If you perform exactly the step by step guide below you should be able to remove the Configs Search from the MS Edge, Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Chrome internet browsers.

Uninstall Configs Search associated software by using Windows Control Panel

First, go to Windows Control Panel and uninstall dubious software, all programs you do not remember installing. It is important to pay the most attention to software you installed just before Configs Search hijacker infection appeared on your browser. If you don’t know what a program does, look for the answer on the World Wide Web.

Press Windows button MS Windows key, then click Search MS Windows search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter. If you using Windows XP or Windows 7, then click “Start” and select “Control Panel”. It will display the Windows Control Panel as shown on the screen below.
Microsoft Windows control panel.jpg

Further, click “Uninstall a program” ControlPanel Uninstall
It will show a list of all software installed on your computer. Scroll through the all list, and remove any dubious and unknown programs.

Remove Configs Search homepage from Google Chrome

Run the Reset web-browser tool of the Chrome to reset all its settings like default search provider, homepage and newtab page to original defaults. This is a very useful utility to use, in the case of web browser hijacks such as Configs Search.

Google Chrome settings reset dialog

  1. First, start the Chrome and click the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
  2. It will display the Chrome main menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions.
  3. You will see the list of installed plugins. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following steps: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
  4. Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, press the “Settings” menu.
  5. Next, press “Advanced” link, which located at the bottom of the Settings page.
  6. On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
  7. The Chrome will open the reset settings prompt as shown on the screen above.
  8. Confirm the web browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
  9. To learn more, read the post How to reset Chrome settings to default.

Remove Configs Search start page from IE

By resetting Microsoft Internet Explorer browser you return your browser settings to its default state. This is good initial when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by browser hijacker like Configs Search.

First, run the Internet Explorer. Next, click the button in the form of gear (Microsoft Internet Explorer tools menu icon). It will open the Tools drop-down menu, click the “Internet Options” as shown on the screen below.

reset Internet Explorer tools menu

In the “Internet Options” window click on the Advanced tab, then press the Reset button. The Internet Explorer will show the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window as shown on the image below. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then press “Reset” button.

reset Internet Explorer settings

You will now need to reboot your PC system for the changes to take effect.

Remove Configs Search redirect from Firefox

If the Firefox browser program is hijacked, then resetting its settings can help. The Reset feature is available on all modern version of FF. A reset can fix many issues by restoring Firefox settings like search provider, startpage and new tab to its default state. It will save your personal information such as saved passwords, bookmarks, and open tabs.

First, launch the Firefox and click FF menu button button. It will open the drop-down menu on the right-part of the internet browser. Further, press the Help button (Mozilla Firefox help button) like below.

Firefox settings menu

In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter. It will open the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown in the figure below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
FF troubleshooting info window

It will show the confirmation dialog box. Further, press the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will begin a process to fix your problems that caused by the browser hijacker infection responsible for modifying your web-browser settings to Configs Search. After, it’s done, click the “Finish” button.

Fix hijacked web-browsers shortcuts to delete Configs Search home page

After installed, the Configs Search browser hijacker and other web-browser’s harmful extensions, may add an argument such as “http://site.address” into the Target property of the desktop shortcut file for the Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Firefox. Due to this, every time you run the web-browser, it will open an undesired web-site.

To clear the browser shortcut, right-click to it and choose 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 to “http://site.address” that has been added here. You need to delete it.

clean a shortcut file

When the text is removed, click the OK button. You need to clean all shortcut files of all your internet browsers, as they may be infected too.

Configs Search automatic removal

If your machine is still infected with the Configs Search hijacker infection, then the best solution of detection and removal is to use an anti malware scan on the PC. Download free malware removal tools below and launch a full system scan. It will allow you remove all components of the browser hijacker from hardisk and Windows registry.




How to automatically remove Configs Search with Zemana Free

You can get rid of Configs Search automatically with a help of Zemana Free. We recommend this malware removal tool because it may easily remove browser hijackers, PUPs, adware and toolbars with all their components such as folders, files and registry entries.

Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) delete hijacker that responsible for internet browser redirect to the intrusive Configs Search page

  1. Visit the following page to download the latest version of Zemana Free for Windows. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
    Zemana AntiMalware
    Zemana AntiMalware
    164987 downloads
    Author: Zemana Ltd
    Category: Security tools
    Update: July 16, 2019
  2. At the download page, click on the Download button. Your internet browser will display the “Save as” dialog box. Please save it onto your Windows desktop.
  3. Once the downloading process is done, please close all software and open windows on your machine. Next, start a file called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.
  4. This will run the “Setup wizard” of Zemana Free onto your PC system. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.
  5. When the Setup wizard has finished installing, the Zemana Free will start and open the main window.
  6. Further, click the “Scan” button for checking your PC system for the hijacker responsible for redirecting user searches to Configs Search. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your computer and the speed of your personal computer. During the scan Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM) will detect threats exist on your machine.
  7. When that process is finished, you can check all items detected on your system.
  8. In order to remove all threats, simply click the “Next” button. The tool will delete browser hijacker that responsible for internet browser redirect to the intrusive Configs Search page and move threats to the program’s quarantine. When finished, you may be prompted to reboot the computer.
  9. Close the Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) and continue with the next step.

Scan and clean your personal computer of browser hijacker with Malwarebytes

We recommend using the Malwarebytes Free. You can download and install Malwarebytes to search for and get rid of Configs Search redirect from your personal computer. When installed and updated, the free malicious software remover will automatically scan and detect all threats present on the PC.

Visit the page linked below to download MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM). Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

Malwarebytes Anti-malware
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
327226 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020

Once downloading is complete, close all windows on your PC. Further, run the file named mb3-setup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up like below, click the “Yes” button.

MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) for Microsoft Windows uac dialog box

It will open the “Setup wizard” that will assist you install MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) on the PC system. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.

MalwareBytes Anti Malware setup wizard

Once installation is complete successfully, press Finish button. Then MalwareBytes AntiMalware will automatically run and you can see its main window as on the image below.

MalwareBytes Free for Windows setup wizard

Next, press the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan for the hijacker responsible for redirecting your internet browser to Configs Search page. Depending on your PC, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) is checking, you can see number of objects it has identified either as being malware.

MalwareBytes Free for Windows detect browser hijacker that responsible for web browser redirect to the undesired Configs Search page

After the system scan is finished, you will be opened the list of all detected threats on your personal computer. In order to remove all items, simply press “Quarantine Selected” button.

MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) for Windows, scan for browser hijacker is done

The MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) will get rid of Configs Search hijacker and other web-browser’s malicious extensions. After disinfection is done, you may be prompted to restart your personal computer. We suggest you look at the following video, which completely explains the process of using the MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) to remove hijacker infections, adware and other malicious software.

Get rid of Configs Search browser hijacker and malicious extensions with AdwCleaner

AdwCleaner is a free removal utility that can be downloaded and use to remove hijackers, adware, malware, potentially unwanted applications, toolbars and other threats from your system. You can run this tool to find out threats even if you have an antivirus or any other security application.

Installing the AdwCleaner is simple. First you’ll need to download AdwCleaner by clicking on the link below. Save it to your Desktop.

AdwCleaner
AdwCleaner download
225612 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024

When the downloading process is finished, open the folder in which you saved it. You will see an icon like below.

AdwCleaner for  Microsoft Windows icon

Double click the AdwCleaner desktop icon. Once the utility is opened, you will see a screen as displayed on the screen below.

AdwCleaner for Microsoft Windows

Further, click “Scan” button for scanning your machine for the Configs Search hijacker and other internet browser’s harmful plugins. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your PC system. Once AdwCleaner completes the scan, you can check all threats found on your computer as shown on the screen below.

AdwCleaner for Microsoft Windows find browser hijacker is complete

Make sure all items have ‘checkmark’ and click “Clean” button. It will display a dialog box as displayed below.

AdwCleaner for MS Windows cleaning prompt

You need to click “OK”. Once that process is finished, the AdwCleaner may ask you to reboot your personal computer. When your PC is started, you will see an AdwCleaner log.

These steps are shown in detail in the following video guide.

Block Configs Search and other annoying web sites

The AdGuard is a very good ad blocking program for the MS Edge, IE, Google Chrome and FF, with active user support. It does a great job by removing certain types of annoying ads, popunders, popups, annoying new tab pages, and even full page ads and web page overlay layers. Of course, the AdGuard can stop the Configs Search redirect automatically or by using a custom filter rule.

Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard by clicking on the link below. Save it on your Desktop.

Adguard
Adguard download
26883 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018

After the downloading process is finished, double-click the downloaded file to launch it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen like below.

adguard ad-blocker installer

Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed and an icon will be placed on your desktop. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guide as on the image below.

adguard installation is competed

Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick guidance which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you start your machine, AdGuard will run automatically and stop popup ads, web-sites such as Configs Search, as well as other harmful or misleading web-pages. 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.

How does your PC get infected with Configs Search browser hijacker infection

It is very important to pay attention to additional checkboxes during the installation of freeware to avoid installing of PUPs, adware, browser hijackers or other undesired software. Never install the additional software that the program wants to install with it. Inattentive freeware download can result in installation of undesired program such as this browser hijacker that responsible for web-browser redirect to the undesired Configs Search page.

To sum up

Now your PC system should be free of the hijacker responsible for changing your web browser settings to Configs Search. Remove AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted advertisements and annoying malicious web pages) and Zemana (to periodically scan your computer for new malware, browser hijackers and ad-supported software). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for MS Windows OS. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new hijacker infections, malicious applications and adware are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of Configs Search home page from your web browser, then ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.

 

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Author: Myantispyware team

Myantispyware is an information security website created in 2004. Our content is written in collaboration with Cyber Security specialists, IT experts, under the direction of Patrik Holder and Valeri Tchmych, founders of Myantispyware.com.

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