How to remove Default Search

What is Default Search

Default Search is a browser hijacker that makes changes to your browser settings. Externally, it looks like a completely legitimate search engine, moreover, the developers claim that Default Search enhances the browser’s efficiency and the quality of search results, in fact, this is a lie. This changes the homepage of your browsers to https://find.defaultsearch.info/, also changes the default search engine. The hijacker periodically redirects the user to third-party sites that are full of advertising content. It is worth noting that this blocks the ability to restore browser settings. Remove Default Search right now by reading our recommendations below.

Similar programs belong to potentially unwanted programs. These programs come on a computer without user consent, so you may have overlooked the penetration of Default Search. PUP is installed on PC bundled with freeware programs such as archivers, download managers, players, and so on. The user must be considerate during the installation process to prevent the penetration of unwanted programs. To do this, you need to read the user agreement. Do not agree to install unknown or suspicious programs. Not need to trust programs from unknown publishers. Always follow the installation process and do not rush to click “Next”. If your computer is already infected, you can use our instructions listed below to get rid of Default Search.

Default Search Removal Guide

1. Download Default Search Removal Tool.
2. Remove Default Search from Windows (7, 8, 8.1, Vista, XP, 10) or Mac OS.
3. Remove Default Search from browsers (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari).
4. What should you do if Default Search won’t uninstall.
5. How to protect PC from future infections.

Default Search Automated Removal Tools:

Solution for Windows and Mac users:

Download Removal Tool

Malwarebytes may help you to get rid of this virus and clean up your system. In case you need a proper and reliable antivirus, we recommend you to try it.

How to remove Default Search manually

Below are step-by-step instructions to remove Default Search from Windows and Mac computers. Follow these steps carefully and uninstall it from Control Panel, remove malicious browser extensions from browsers, and remove files and folders belonging to Default Search.

Uninstall Default Search from Windows or Mac

Windows 7/Vista:

1. Click Start;
2. Click Control Panel;
3. Click Uninstall a program (if computer’s settings are sorted by Category);
   Click Programs and Features (if computer’s settings are sorted by Icons);
4. Find programs potentially related to Default Search;
5. Click Uninstall;
6. Follow the instructions on the screen or wait until program will be uninstalled.

Windows 8/8.1:

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, then tap Search (If you are using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, then click Search.);
2. Enter control panel in the search box, then tap or click Control Panel;
3. Under View by: select Large Icons, then tap or click Programs and features;
4. Find programs potentially related to Default Search;
5. Tap or click the program, then tap or click Uninstall;
6. Follow the instructions on the screen or wait until program will be uninstalled.

Windows 10:

1. Tap or click Start and choose Settings;
2. In opened menu choose System;
3. Under System menu tap or click Apps & features tab;
4. Find Default Search and other suspicious programs that can be related to it;
5. Tap or click on the program, then tap or click Uninstall;
6. Confirm action by clicking Uninstall.

Windows XP:

1. Click Start;
2. Click Control Panel;
3. Double-click Add or Remove Programs;
4. Find programs potentially related to Default Search and click on them;
5. Click to Remove;
6. Follow the instructions on the screen or wait until program will be uninstalled.

Mac OS:

1. On the Finder menu click Go;
2. On the right side choose Applications;
3. Locate Default Search;
4. Move it to trash bin;
5. Follow on-screen instructions;

Default Search won’t uninstall:

Sometimes, some malicious process or service won’t allow user to uninstall Default Search or remove is files. In such case, you can boot Windows in Safe Mode or Safe Mode with networking go to Control Panel and try to uninstall Default Search. Safe Mode does not allow malicious processes or services to start with Windows.

Learn how to boot in Safe Mode in different versions of Windows.

How to reset browser settings?

After removing malware, we recommend resetting browser settings to default.

Google Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome;
2. a) Click on Options Icon or press Alt+E, Alt+F, then click Settings;
   b) Type “chrome://settings/” in address bar;
3. Click a link Show advanced settings;
4. Turn down and click Reset settings;
5. Click Reset.

Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer;
2. Press Alt, click Tools, or Click on Gear Icon;
3. Click Internet Options;
4. Click Advanced tab;
5. Click Reset;
6. Mark Delete Personal Settings, Click Reset.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox;
2. a) Press Alt+H, then click Troubleshooting Information;
   b) Type “about:support” in address bar;
3. At the Right-Top Corner click Reset Firefox;
4. Click Reset Firefox.

Safari:

1. Open Safari.
2. Select Safari menu.
3. Choose Reset Safari….
4. Click Reset button.

How to prevent malware infection?

As many potentially unwanted programs, Default Search uses “bundling” to get installed on personal computers. Let me explain how it works. Malware is bound to freeware, so it can be installed with this freeware. To avoid malware installation, we recommend you not to download suspicious software from unknown sources and try to use only trusted websites.

Be attentive while installing those programs. Also try to use custom/advanced setup options to disable malware installation. But better to download only licensed software from official websites. If you still want to download such installers, make sure to uncheck or decline all unwanted offers.