How to uninstall GamingSearch from Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge

What is GamingSearch?

The IT security professionals have determined that GamingSearch is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) which falls under the family of Browser hijackers . It affects your computer and alters internet browser settings. GamingSearch can take over your web browser and force you to use an unwanted web site as your home page, search provider by default and new tab. When GamingSearch in the computer, it can gather privacy info such as search queries as well as browsing history. so if you find this PUP on the PC system you need to remove it. The detailed removal guide will help you remove GamingSearch and protect your device from more dangerous apps.

The GamingSearch hijacker will alter your browser’s search provider so that all searches are sent through gaming-search.com, which redirects to Bing, Yahoo or Google Custom Search engine which displays the search results for your query. The developers of this hijacker are using legitimate search provider as they may make profit from the ads which are displayed in the search results.

Another reason why you need to remove GamingSearch is its online data-tracking activity. It can gather confidential information, including:

• IP addresses;
• URLs visited;
• search queries/terms;
• clicks on links and advertisements;
• browser version information.

Thus, PUPs does not really have beneficial features. So, we suggest you remove GamingSearch from your browser ASAP. This will also prevent the browser hijacker from tracking your online activities. A full GamingSearch removal can be easily carried out using manual or automatic method listed below.

How can the GamingSearch browser hijacker get on your computer

The majority of browser hijackers like GamingSearch gets on a computer along with free programs or even paid programs which Internet users can easily download online. The setup files of such apps, most often, clearly display that they will install optional programs. The option is given to users to block the installation of any optional applications. So, in order to avoid the installation of any browser hijackers: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, select only Custom or Advanced installation mode and uncheck all bundled programs in which you are unsure.

Threat Summary

Name	GamingSearch
Type	search provider hijacker, PUP, browser hijacker, redirect virus, home page hijacker
Associated domains	portal.gaming-search.com, feed.gaming-search.com
Affected Browser Settings	new tab page URL, startpage, search provider
Symptoms	undesired advertising links appear on web pages that you are visiting your web browser is re-directed to web-pages you did not want unexpected application installed without your knowledge new browser toolbars suddenly installed on your web browser your browser home page has changed and you cannot change it back
Removal	GamingSearch removal guide

How to remove GamingSearch from Google Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge

If you have unwanted homepage or search engine, consistent popups or ads, slow PC system, crashing computer issues, you are in need of hijacker removal assistance. The few simple steps below will guide you forward to get GamingSearch browser hijacker removed and will allow you get your personal computer operating at peak capacity again.

To remove GamingSearch, execute the following steps:

1. How to manually remove GamingSearch
   • Remove questionable software using Microsoft Windows Control Panel
   • Get rid of GamingSearch browser hijacker from Internet Explorer
   • Remove GamingSearch from Firefox by resetting web-browser settings
   • Remove GamingSearch from Google Chrome
2. Automatic Removal of GamingSearch
   • Run Zemana Anti Malware to remove GamingSearch browser hijacker
   • Get rid of GamingSearch hijacker and malicious extensions with Hitman Pro
   • Run MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) to remove GamingSearch browser hijacker
3. Stop GamingSearch redirect
4. Finish words

How to manually remove GamingSearch

The useful removal guide for the GamingSearch browser hijacker. The detailed procedure can be followed by anyone as it really does take you step-by-step. If you follow this process to delete GamingSearch hijacker let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.

Remove questionable software using Microsoft Windows Control Panel

The best way to start the personal computer cleanup is to uninstall unknown and questionable apps. Using the MS Windows Control Panel you can do this quickly and easily. This step, in spite of its simplicity, should not be ignored, because the removing of unneeded apps can clean up the Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge from popups hijackers and so on.

1. If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then click Windows button, next click 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 show the Windows Control Panel.
4. Further, click “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
5. It will open a list of all apps installed on the PC system.
6. Scroll through the all list, and delete dubious and unknown applications. To quickly find the latest installed software, we recommend sort apps by date.

See more details in the video instructions below.

Get rid of GamingSearch browser hijacker from Internet Explorer

The Microsoft Internet Explorer reset is great if your web browser is hijacked or you have unwanted extensions or toolbars on your web-browser, which installed by a malicious software.

First, open the Microsoft Internet Explorer, click ) button. Next, click “Internet Options” like the one below.

In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, press Reset button. The IE will display the Reset Internet Explorer settings prompt. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and click Reset button.

You will now need to restart your personal computer for the changes to take effect. It will remove GamingSearch, disable malicious and ad-supported web-browser’s extensions and restore the IE’s settings like search provider, newtab and homepage to default state.

Remove GamingSearch from Firefox by resetting web-browser settings

If Mozilla Firefox homepage or search engine are hijacked by GamingSearch, your browser displays intrusive popup ads, then ‘Reset Firefox’ could solve these problems. When using the reset feature, your personal information like passwords, bookmarks, browsing history and web form auto-fill data will be saved.

Click the Menu button (looks like three horizontal lines), and click the blue Help icon located at the bottom of the drop down menu like the one below.

A small menu will appear, click the “Troubleshooting Information”. On this page, press “Refresh Firefox” button similar to the one below.

Follow the onscreen procedure to revert back your Firefox web-browser settings to their original state.

Remove GamingSearch from Google Chrome

If you have browser hijacker, pop-up advertisements problems or Google Chrome is running slow, then reset Chrome can help you. In this tutorial we’ll show you the method to reset your Google Chrome settings and data to default state without reinstall.

Open the Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (). It will show the drop-down menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.

Carefully browse through the list of installed add-ons. If the list has the add-on labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following steps: Remove Google Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy otherwise, just go to the step below.

Open the Chrome main menu again, click to “Settings” option.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, as shown in the following example and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.

Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.

Automatic Removal of GamingSearch

The hijacker may hide its components which are difficult for you to find out and remove fully. This may lead to the fact that after some time, the hijacker again infect your computer and modify browser settings. Moreover, We want to note that it’s not always safe to get rid of browser hijacker manually, if you don’t have much experience in setting up and configuring the Windows operating system. The best way to scan for and remove browser hijackers is to use free malicious software removal applications.

Run Zemana Anti Malware to remove GamingSearch browser hijacker

Zemana AntiMalware is a free tool that performs a scan of your PC system and displays if there are existing adware software, browser hijackers, viruses, worms, spyware, trojans and other malicious software residing on your computer. If malicious software is detected, Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) can automatically remove it. Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) doesn’t conflict with other anti-malware and antivirus programs installed on your PC system.

First, visit the following page, then click the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM).

After the downloading process is finished, close all apps and windows on your computer. Double-click the install file called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up such as the one below, click the “Yes” button.

It will open the “Setup wizard” that will help you set up Zemana Free on your computer. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.

Once installation is complete successfully, Zemana Free will automatically start and you can see its main screen such as the one below.

Now click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the GamingSearch hijacker. This task can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the utility is checking, you may see how many objects and files has already scanned.

As the scanning ends, Zemana Free will open a screen which contains a list of malicious software that has been found. Once you’ve selected what you want to delete from your PC click “Next” button. The Zemana Free will begin to delete GamingSearch browser hijacker. After the procedure is complete, you may be prompted to reboot the personal computer.

Get rid of GamingSearch hijacker and malicious extensions with Hitman Pro

HitmanPro is a free program which designed to remove malicious software, potentially unwanted applications, adware and browser hijackers from your PC running Microsoft Windows 10, 8, 7, XP (32-bit and 64-bit). It will help to identify and get rid of GamingSearch hijacker, including its files, folders and registry keys.

First, click the following link, then click the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of HitmanPro.

Download and run Hitman Pro on your computer. Once started, click “Next” button for checking your computer for the GamingSearch hijacker. This procedure may take some time, so please be patient. While the Hitman Pro program is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as threat..

Once Hitman Pro has finished scanning your PC, it will show the Scan Results.

Review the results once the utility has finished the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click Next button.

It will show a dialog box, press the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial to remove all malware found.

Run MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) to remove GamingSearch browser hijacker

If you are still having problems with the GamingSearch browser hijacker — or just wish to scan your PC occasionally for browser hijacker and other malicious software — download MalwareBytes Anti Malware. It is free for home use, and searches for and removes various undesired applications that attacks your device or degrades PC system performance. MalwareBytes Anti Malware can delete adware software, PUPs as well as malicious software, including ransomware and trojans.

First, visit the page linked below, then click the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM).

When the downloading process is done, close all apps and windows on your computer. Double-click the setup file named MBSetup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as on the image below, click the “Yes” button.

It will open the Setup wizard that will help you install MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) on your PC system. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.

Once installation is finished successfully, click “Get Started” button. MalwareBytes will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown in the following example.

Now press the “Scan” button to begin scanning your PC system for the GamingSearch browser hijacker. Depending on your computer, the scan may take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the tool is scanning, you can see number of objects and files has already scanned.

When the checking is finished, the results are displayed in the scan report. Once you have selected what you want to delete from your device click “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes will delete GamingSearch browser hijacker. After the clean up is finished, you may be prompted to restart the device.

We suggest you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the MalwareBytes Free to get rid of adware, browser hijacker and other malware.

Stop GamingSearch redirect

It’s important to use ad blocker software like AdGuard to protect your PC system from harmful web-pages. Most security experts says that it is okay to block ads. You should do so just to stay safe! And, of course, the AdGuard can to block GamingSearch and other unwanted web-pages.

First, visit the page linked below, then click the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of AdGuard.

After downloading it, double-click the downloaded file to start it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen as shown on the image below.

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 tutorial like below.

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

Each time, when you launch your personal computer, AdGuard will run automatically and stop undesired advertisements, block GamingSearch, as well as other malicious or misleading webpages. 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.

Finish words

Now your PC should be free of the GamingSearch browser hijacker. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted popup ads and annoying harmful web-sites) and Zemana (to periodically scan your computer for new browser 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 get rid of GamingSearch from the Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, MS Edge and Firefox, then ask for help here here.