The Search Manager is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) from the category of browser hijackers. When the Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Internet Explorer is affected by this browser hijacker, web-browser’s settings such as default search provider, newtab page and start page may be modified without permission. Whenever you start the web browser, the Search Manager appears as your startpage instead of your favorite home page. All the time, while the Search Manager page will be set as your startpage and search provider, its authors will can collect your privacy information, everything related to what are you doing on the Internet.
If your computer is infected with Search Manager browser hijacker you’ll be forced to use its own search engine. It could seem not to be dangerous, but you still should be very careful, since it may display unwanted and harmful ads created to mislead you into buying certain questionable software or products, provide search results that may reroute your internet browser to certain deceptive, misleading or harmful websites. We recommend that you use only the reliable search provider such as Google, Yahoo or Bing.
The Search Manager browser hijacker is not a virus, but the virus behaves similarly. As a rootkit hides in the system, alters settings of installed web-browsers, and blocks them from modifying. Also this hijacker can install additional browser add-ons and modules that will show ads and popups. And finally, the Search Manager browser hijacker be able to gather lots of user data about you such as what web-sites you’re opening, what you’re looking for the Internet and so on. This information, in the future, can be sold to third party companies.
The hijacker like Search Manager often modify all internet browser shortcuts that located on your Desktop to force you visit various unwanted web-sites and open undesired pop-ups. As a result, your browser can still redirect you to an undesired web-site despite your internet browser is actually free of hijacker.
We strongly advise you to complete the instructions which follow below. We will show you how to remove browser hijacker infection and thus remove Search Manager redirect from your Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome and Microsoft Edge forever.
How to remove Search Manager from Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge (Virus removal guide)
Fortunately, we’ve an effective method which will help you manually or/and automatically delete Search Manager from your computer and bring your browser settings, including homepage, search provider and newtab, back to normal. Below you will find a removal steps with all the steps you may need to successfully remove this hijacker and its traces. Certain of the steps will require you to reboot your system or exit this web-site. So, read this guide carefully, then bookmark or print it for later reference.
To remove Search Manager, perform the following steps:
- How to manually remove Search Manager
- Search Manager start page automatic removal
- How to block Search Manager redirect
- How does your system get infected with Search Manager hijacker
- Finish words
How to manually remove Search Manager
The few simple steps will help you get rid of Search Manager homepage. These Search Manager removal steps work for the MS Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Chrome, as well as every version of Windows operating system.
Delete potentially unwanted software using Microsoft Windows Control Panel
Some of potentially unwanted software, adware and browser hijacker can be removed using the Add/Remove programs tool which may be found in the Windows Control Panel. So, if you’re running any version of Windows and you have noticed an unwanted program, then first try to delete it through Add/Remove programs.
Windows 8, 8.1, 10
First, click Windows button
, then click Search 
. Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter as displayed below.
After the ‘Control Panel’ opens, click the ‘Uninstall a program’ link under Programs category as displayed on the screen below.
You will see the ‘Uninstall a program’ panel as shown on the screen below.
Very carefully look around the entire list of software installed on your computer. Most probably, one of them is the browser hijacker responsible for Search Manager . If you’ve many apps installed, you can help simplify the search of harmful software by sort the list by date of installation. Once you have found a dubious, unwanted or unused application, right click to it, after that click ‘Uninstall’.
Windows XP, Vista, 7
First, press ‘Start’ button and select ‘Control Panel’ at right panel as displayed in the following example.
After the Windows ‘Control Panel’ opens, you need to click ‘Uninstall a program’ under ‘Programs’ like below.
You will see a list of programs installed on your personal computer. We recommend to sort the list by date of installation to quickly find the applications that were installed last. Most likely, it’s the browser hijacker infection which redirects your browser to unwanted Search Manager website. If you’re in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing. When the program which you need to remove is found, simply click on its name, and then click ‘Uninstall’ as shown below.
Clean up the web-browsers shortcuts which have been hijacked by Search Manager
Unfortunately, the browser hijacker infection that created to reroute your internet browser to the Search Manager web-page, can also hijack Windows shortcuts (mostly, your internet browsers shortcuts), so that the Search Manager start page will be shown when you open the Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Internet Explorer or another browser.
Right click on the internet browser’s shortcut file, 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, click OK . You need to clean all web browser’s shortcut files. So, repeat this step for the Firefox, Edge, Google Chrome and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Get rid of Search Manager redirect from Firefox
The Mozilla Firefox reset will get rid of unwanted search provider and home page like Search Manager, modified preferences, extensions and security settings. It will save your personal information like saved passwords, bookmarks, auto-fill data and open tabs.
First, run the Firefox and click 
button. It will display the drop-down menu on the right-part of the web browser. Further, click the Help button (
) as on the image below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the browser adress bar and press Enter. It will show the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will display the confirmation dialog box. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Mozilla Firefox will begin a process to fix your problems that caused by the hijacker infection that causes browsers to display annoying Search Manager web-site. After, it is finished, click the “Finish” button.
Delete Search Manager from Chrome
Reset Chrome settings is a simple way to delete the browser hijacker, malicious and ‘ad-supported’ extensions, as well as to restore the web browser’s new tab, search engine by default and startpage that have been modified by Search Manager hijacker.
First open the Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal dots (
).
It will show the Chrome menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed add-ons. If the list has the extension signed with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following steps: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
Open the Chrome menu once again. Further, click the option named “Settings”.
The browser will display the settings screen. Another solution to show the Google Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the web-browser adress bar and press Enter
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and press the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset” section is visible, as on the image below and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
The Chrome will show the confirmation dialog box as displayed on the image below.
You need to confirm your action, press the “Reset” button. The web browser will run the procedure of cleaning. Once it’s complete, the web browser’s settings including default search engine, new tab page and startpage back to the values that have been when the Chrome was first installed on your computer.
Remove Search Manager redirect from Internet Explorer
First, open the Microsoft Internet Explorer, then click ‘gear’ icon 
. It will show the Tools drop-down menu on the right part of the web browser, then click the “Internet Options” like below.
In the “Internet Options” screen, select the “Advanced” tab, then press the “Reset” button. The Internet Explorer will display the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” dialog box. Further, click the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. Next, click the “Reset” button as displayed in the figure below.
After the process is finished, press “Close” button. Close the Internet Explorer and reboot your PC system for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your internet browser’s new tab, search provider by default and home page to default state.
Search Manager start page automatic removal
The easiest method to remove Search Manager hijacker is to use an antimalware program capable of detecting browser hijacker infections including Search Manager. We suggest try Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) or another free malicious software remover which listed below. It has excellent detection rate when it comes to ‘ad supported’ software, hijacker infections and other potentially unwanted apps.
Run Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) to remove Search Manager redirect
Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM) is a tool which can remove ad supported software, PUPs, browser hijackers and other malware from your computer easily and for free. Zemana AntiMalware is compatible with most antivirus software. It works under Windows (10 – XP, 32 and 64 bit) and uses minimum of computer resources.
Now you can install and use Zemana Anti Malware to remove Search Manager start page from your web browser by following the steps below:
Please go to the link below to download Zemana setup file called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup on your computer. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
164100 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
Launch the setup package after it has been downloaded successfully and then follow the prompts to install this tool on your machine.
During setup you can change some settings, but we advise you don’t make any changes to default settings.
When setup is finished, this malware removal utility will automatically launch and update itself. You will see its main window as displayed in the figure below.
Now click the “Scan” button . Zemana Free program will scan through the whole computer for the browser hijacker which cause Search Manager webpage to appear. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the count of files on your computer and the speed of your system.
Once finished, you can check all items detected on your machine. Make sure all items have ‘checkmark’ and press “Next” button.
The Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) will begin to delete browser hijacker infection which developed to redirect your internet browser to the Search Manager site. When finished, you may be prompted to reboot your PC to make the change take effect.
Scan and clean your computer of hijacker with Hitman Pro
Hitman Pro is a free program which made to delete malware, PUPs, adware and browser hijacker infections from your system running MS Windows 10, 8, 7, XP (32-bit and 64-bit). It’ll help to identify and remove browser hijacker which cause Search Manager web-page to appear, including its files, folders and registry keys.
Hitman Pro can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Windows desktop.
Download and run HitmanPro on your PC. Once started, click “Next” button to perform a system scan with this utility for the hijacker which cause a redirect to Search Manager web-page. A system scan may take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your machine. During the scan HitmanPro will detect threats exist on your system..
Once Hitman Pro has completed scanning, you will be opened the list of all detected items on your system.
Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and press Next button.
It will display a dialog box, click the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial to get rid of all malware found.
Scan and clean your system of hijacker with Malwarebytes
Manual Search Manager home page removal requires some computer skills. Some files and registry entries that created by the browser hijacker may be not completely removed. We recommend that use the Malwarebytes Free that are completely free your computer of browser hijacker. Moreover, the free program will allow you to remove malicious software, potentially unwanted software, ad supported software and toolbars that your machine can be infected too.
Installing the MalwareBytes is simple. First you’ll need to download MalwareBytes by clicking on the following link.
326454 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once the downloading process is complete, run it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) will try to update itself and when this procedure is finished, press the “Scan Now” button for scanning your computer for the browser hijacker infection which cause Search Manager web-page to appear. A scan may take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your computer and the speed of your system. When a malware, adware or PUPs are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is finished. Once you have selected what you want to delete from your computer click “Quarantine Selected” button.
The MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) is a free application that you can use to delete all detected folders, files, services, registry entries and so on. To learn more about this malicious software removal tool, we recommend you to read and follow the guide or the video guide below.
How to block Search Manager redirect
Run ad blocker program like AdGuard in order to stop advertisements, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install harmful and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons that affect your system performance and impact your PC security. Surf the Net anonymously and stay safe online!
AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Desktop.
26655 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
After the downloading process is complete, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as on the image below.
Follow the prompts. Once the installation is done, you will see a window as shown on the screen below.
You can click “Skip” to close the install program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial that 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 run your system, AdGuard will run automatically and stop popups, Search Manager redirect, as well as other harmful or misleading 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 may be found on your desktop.
How does your system get infected with Search Manager hijacker
The Search Manager hijacker usually come as a part of another program in the same installer. The risk of this is especially high for the various free applications downloaded from the Internet. The creators of the apps are hoping that users will run the quick installation mode, that is simply to press the Next button, without paying attention to the information on the screen and don’t carefully considering every step of the setup procedure. Thus, the browser hijacker infection can infiltrate your PC system without your knowledge. Therefore, it’s very important to read all the information that tells the application during setup, including the ‘Terms of Use’ and ‘Software license’. Use only the Manual, Custom or Advanced setup type. This method will help you to disable all optional and unwanted programs and components.
Finish words
Now your system should be clean of the Search Manager hijacker infection and other internet browser’s harmful extensions. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted popup ads and unwanted malicious web-sites) and Zemana AntiMalware (to periodically scan your PC system for new hijackers and other malware). Probably you are running an older version of Java or Adobe Flash Player. This can be a security risk, so download and install the latest version right now.
If you are still having problems while trying to delete Search Manager home page from the Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Internet Explorer and Firefox, then ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.
I have been struggling with this infection for some time, but today it was finally defeated. The solution was adwcleaner (from the people who bring you malwarebytes), but the currently beta version 7.2.2. It looks like the thing hasn’t re-infected Chrome so I’m overjoyed at the fact that this thing has at last gone away. I also have to comment that since it redirects search to Yahoo, they must be paying for this service. So, from my point of view, Yahoo supports the spread of computer viruses.