browse22save
Cybersecurity

How To Remove Text Enhance (Virus Removal Guide)

By Sean Doyle · · 4 min read

What is Text Enhance?

Text Enhance (Text-Enhance) is cross-browser adware and an advertising platform that uses multiple programs, browser extensions, and files to attach to internet browsers and gather personal data without user consent. Text Enhance is used by multiple third-parties in order to monetize freeware and other programs. This adware serves pop-up and targeted advertisements it feels users are most likely to click on across Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer based off of the information it gathers.

Text Enhance Removal

Victims of Text Enhance adware usually notice they are infected with this adware when the content found on random webpages have links that display spam advertisements once they are hovered over. These types of advertisements are called in-text advertisements. *Hovering over the words racing teams opens up a small window showing a spam advertisement relative to racing teams (image).

Video example of a Text Enhance infection

Text Enhance adware is usually contracted without user knowledge alongside free downloadable content from a variety of locations on the web. Free downloadable content includes freeware, shareware, torrents, email attachments, and more.

Users who wish to install freeware may be given a “custom installation” option to accept or decline an offer to install Text Enhance adware and similar products during the installation; However, the user request to decline the adware from installing can be ignored by the program or presented in a confusing manner.

In some cases, Text Enhance and other unwanted programs are deceptively promoted through questionable advertisements. These advertisements may be dishonest, misleading, and cause the program to automatically download and install once clicked on.

How to remove Text Enhance (Removal Guide)

Step 1: Remove Text Enhance add-ons and extensions

We recommend that you write down the toll free number below in case you run into any issues or problems while removing this infection. Our techs will kindly assist you with any problems.

tech support

Google Chrome

1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon on the top menu and navigate to More tools > Extensions.

2. Search for suspicious extensions in the list. Remove unwanted browser extensions individually by clicking the trashcan icon next to each one.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.

2. Search for suspicious add-ons on the Extensions and Plugin tab. Highlight each one individually and click remove.

Step 2: Uninstall Text Enhance

1. Open Windows Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.

2. On Windows Control Panel, click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program in the Programs section.

3. Search for Text Enhance and other unwanted programs in the list of installed programs. Once an unwanted program is located, double click the item or select it with your mouse and click the Uninstall button.

4. Restart your computer.

Step 3: Remove Text Enhance malware with Malwarebytes

1. Download and install the free or full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. The full version enables real-time protection to block malware and unwanted programs from infecting your computer, while the free version is just a free scan and removal tool.

download
buy now

2. Open the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Malwarebytes

3. Click the large Scan Now button or visit the “Scan” tab to manually run a scan.

Malwarebytes 2

4. Once the malware scan is complete, click the Remove Selected button and reboot your computer.

If you are still having issues with potential Text Enhance malware after using Malwarebytes it is recommended to download and install a second opinion scanner such as HitmanPro by Surfright to eradicate existing malicious files and automatically repair corrupted settings.

Step 4: Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner

1. Download and install the free or full version of CCleaner by Piriform.

download
buy now

CCleaner Analyze Cleaner

2. Once installed, open the program and navigate to Cleaner > Windows/Applications and click the Analyze button. Afterwards, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.

CCleaner Startup

3. Next, navigate to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from windows, internet explorer, etc., all the way to Content Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click Disable and Delete once anything is found.

4. To automatically uninstall unwanted programs using CCleaner, navigate to the Uninstall tab and search for the program in the list of installed programs. Uninstall the unwanted software as selected by clicking the Run Uninstaller button.

If you are still experiencing issues removing potential Text Enhance malware after using this removal guide we recommend to perform a system restore/recovery or a reset/refresh for Windows 8.

Sean Doyle

Sean is a tech author and security researcher with more than 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, privacy, malware analysis, analytics, and online marketing. He focuses on clear reporting, deep technical investigation, and practical guidance that helps readers stay safe in a fast-moving digital landscape. His work continues to appear in respected publications, including articles written for Private Internet Access. Through Botcrawl and his ongoing cybersecurity coverage, Sean provides trusted insights on data breaches, malware threats, and online safety for individuals and businesses worldwide.

View all posts →

Related Posts

398 Comments

  3. rena

    Thank you so much for your help. Greatly appreciated.

  4. textenhance_is really-stupid

    you are epic man

  5. DUDE_9244

    Thanks for all this, thanks so much. It was driving me mad!

  7. Anonymous

    Thank you for your great, easy and quick guide. Helped me get rid of it

  8. Carisa Carlton

    Hi Sean, I found VideoFileDownload in my extensions, AND in my installed programs under VideoFileDownload. I uninstalled both.. Nasty, annoying bugger. Why isn’t Panda antivirus detecting this? i searched their blog for discussions about it, and nothing found.

  9. Tim

    Thanks! Being a webmaster myself it was irritating when I was working on my page and random links I hadnt created were all of a sudden there!

  11. Anthony

    …or am I suppose to modify the ‘value data’ to correspond to what has been listed?

  12. Anthony

    Could anybody lend a hand…? Near the end where it says “Delete Text-enhance.com registries” and provides a list of things.

    When it says, for example, ” “CertificateRevocation” = ’0′ ” on the list — what is the 0 referring to?

    I’m uncertain of whether I should delete these files no matter what or only if they’re displaying a certain value… any help would be greatly appreciated!

  13. Anonymous

    Thank you so much! This fixed this very annoying problem quickly and easily! Great tutorial 😀

  14. Anonymous

    thank you! you should advertise on text-enhance 😉

  15. RonB

    Dislike It! extension from Facebook also includes TextEnhance. Not sure if this was mentioned by anyone else, but I just did a test extension-by-extension, and Dislike was it.

    1. Sean Doyle

      It’s on the list above. Thanks for mentioning it though.

  17. Anonymous

    this site works! good info i have Google chrome i found through the help of this site it hiding in the ext. as i want this got it gone thanks so much!!!!

  18. Anonymous

    this works thanks text enhance is gone it was hiding in the google chrome ext. part under i want this… i didnt want it LOL thanks to u its gone now

  19. Anonymous

    In chrome all i had to do is remove ‘Codec-v’ and text enhance was gone. Dealply is a service i wouldnt want to blame because its an alright service and i’ve had dealply long before text enhance raped everyone’s browser. I got text enhance after installing the NCH Software suite which is freeware. All you really have to do is remove the extensions that don’t have icons one after the other because they are never important unless they actually helped you out in an obvious way.

    1. Sean Doyle

      I’m glad to hear you got rid of Text Enhance.
      Dealply is bundled with a plethora of different malware infections. I would defiantly blame Dealply for any adware/hijacker type symptoms. I have written about so many coexisting malware apps that are bundled with Dealply and other ware distributed as freeware. Unfortunately this is how many freeware providers generate revenue.

  20. Eric M

    I almost never leave a comment – but this page is just too good/helpful! 🙂 For the record, I was using Firefox, and it was ‘disguised’ under the Extension “I Want This”, which was (even more helpfully) on your list of possible names. Great work, guys! You have a new, interested, indebted, unique visitor…!

    -Eric

  21. Annoying “Text Enhance”

    […] it before i snap and re format my hdd's ? Cheers Johnsy Dude, check out the steps over here: How To Remove Text Enhance Spam And Malware/Adware Hover Text Links | There is loads of different things to try, it appears there is no "quick fix" for this […]

  22. Anonymous

    Stupid Facebook dislike button extension was the problem for me. Thanks for the help on getting rid of this annoying adware 😉

  23. Louise

    Thank you so much for that. It was driving me nuts!

  24. anne

    thanks so much for this,
    DEATH TO TEXT-ENHANCE!!!!!!!!!!!

    😡

  25. Anonymous

    Just wanted to let other Google Chrome users know that this was masked as DownloadnSave in my extensions manager

  26. Anonymous

    Thanks so much for all this – super star!!

  29. Kat

    Thank you!!! This has been driving me crazy for days! I couldnt however find any of the named extensions, you mentioned. But hey I dont have that damn add thing anymore . ((((big hugs!)))

  30. Whats the deal with the new blue words in the threads? – Page 2

    […] PM My guess is you have been infected with 'text enhance'. This may help…… How To Remove Text Enhance Spam And Malware/Adware Hover Text Links | Glenn Whitledge Triton 21xs elite, 250 pro xs Reply With […]

  31. Anonymous

    Thanks a lot for the tip it work great.
    Finalay i got this …….. of the computer.

  32. Michos

    Oh, thank you a lot for that! Great help!

  33. Trojan virus? – Page 2 – Shooters Forum

    […] being about links in the text? I just had this happen to me and I found out how to get rid of it. How To Remove Text Enhance Spam And Malware/Adware Hover Text Links | Has directions for Chrome, Firefox, and IE. Was a pretty simple process. Not sure if it applies to […]

  34. Joshua

    Thanks for the help in this article (and by the way the extension Video File Download is another name for text enhance on Chrome’s extension page).

  36. gazzer

    That was quick and easy to follow! Thanks!

  37. raventotem

    hey, is there a way for web developers to block this on their site even though a client may have it accidentally installed?? I was hit with this, but it also concerns me if other people end up redirected.
    thanks

    1. Sean Doyle

      Not that I’m aware of. Keep in mind if you are infected with Text Enhance, then only you are. Your website has not been injected by Text Enhance.
      Text Enhance does not redirect, if your browser is redirecting you, then you are infected with something else alongside Text Enhance (if you also see Text Enhance ads).

      If you are having redirection issues I have written this post about something called MyStart. It will have similar solutions to remove a redirection virus and repair hijacked settings.
      http://botcrawl.com/how-to-remove-the-mystart-by-incredibar-browser-search-redirection-virus/

      Also: http://botcrawl.com/how-to-remove-searchqu-from-your-computer-and-internet-browser-and-fix-internet-settings-web-search-add-on/

  38. Text enhance ad-enabled stuff? – Page 3

    […] stuff? Sounds like what I had but what I had is… Here is a link to remove it. If it's adware use CCleaner (google it) to uninstall or […]

  39. Bry

    Sorry for the CAPS but YOU ARE AMAZING for the help!!! Quick and easy removal! Saved me a lifetime of complete annoyance!! Keep up the amazing work!

  40. Anonymous

    I had text-enhance on this page… Cleared the cache and cookies. Now they’re gone! Yay!

  41. Anonymous

    I disabled vid-saver, the only extension that was flagged for me, and the ads were gone.
    SCREW YOU bittorent, Inc for recommending vid-saver

  42. Pop-up ads? – Page 2 – EN World: Your Daily RPG Magazine

    […] anyone still concerned, Text Enhance is adware that surreptitiously installs itself in a browser. HERE are instructions for removing/disabling it in several different browsers, along with some […]

  43. We hope to disable vile bullsh!t | Arcadian Rhythms

    […] you’d better believe that we’ll disable this shit if we can – but in the meantime here’s a link explaining how to turn them […]

  44. Ce este Text Enhance?

    […] Victimele pot observa ca au fost atacate de catre  Text Enhance atunci cand paginile web au link-uri sau hover link-uri cu reclama din imagine.  Note: Text Enhance nu infecteaza website-ul, infecteaza doar utilizatorii. Daca va apare acel chenar publicitar dvs. sunteti infectat, nu website-ul.   Nu renuntati la platformele publicitare din acest motiv. Aveti aici instructiuni despre cum sa eliminati Text-Enhance. […]

  45. mick

    hello
    i would like to say on record after wasting my entire day running anti-viral and other devices to get rid of “text-enhance” while trying to study for assignments to safely say i would not buy what is advertised on it nor would i not refrain from telling “text enhance” to go f$&k itself 🙂

    your sincerly go f*&k urself

    p.s. who ever help on this site i owe you one! 🙂

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.