Search Window virus
Search Window virus is a term for adware that displays deceptive advertisements and changes your homepage and default search engine. Search Window ads will often contain text on them that say “Ads by Search Window.” Search Window adware utilizes a program that installs to Windows, a browser helper object that attaches to Internet Explorer, and a Search Window extension that attaches to Chrome, Firefox, and other web browsers.
Search Window adware primarily bundles with and installs alongside other potentially unwanted programs, adware, and malware. These programs may utilize unethical advertising methods in order to provoke unsuspecting users to manually install them. These advertisements may claim that Search Window or a program that bundles it during install is something it is not. This adware was introduced to our test machine via a series of deceptive ads that claimed we were going to download a free media player.
Search Window adware can also enter your computer or attach to your browser without your knowledge and consent. In some cases, Search Window adware will be included as a custom installation for third-party products such as freeware, download managers, and torrent files. It will automatically download in the background while you work on your computer after a third-party program or file has been introduced to your computer. Users may also be given an opportunity to accept or decline an offer to install this program.
If you notice ads by Search Window in Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari it is recommended to remove the adware immediately and scan your computer with reputable software to locate any additional threats that may be present. Our test machine was able to locate hundreds of malicious files that were introduced to our machine alongside this adware.
Threat Details
| Name | Search Window, Search Window virus *This infection is not technically defined as a computer virus |
| Detection Categories | Adware, Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) |
| Publisher Description | N/A |
| Symptoms | Advertisements in the web browser Browser redirects to sponsored webpages Decreased internet speed and performance Decreased computer functionality and performance Bundles with malware and other potentially unwanted programs |
| Common Path(s) | C:\Program Files (x86) C:\Users\{USER}\Downloads\ |
| Quick Detection & Removal Tool | Click Here To Download Malwarebytes |
How to remove Search Window (Virus Removal Guide)
This Search Window removal guide will remove Search Window, viruses, malware, and other threats from your computer and browser.
- Scan your computer with Malwarebytes
- Scan your computer with HitmanPro
- Uninstall Search Window and unwanted programs
- Remove Search Window extension
- Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner
Call Virus Removal Helpline: 1-866-521-2427
1. Scan your computer with Malwarebytes
The first step to remove this adware is to download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software in order to perform a full system scan for malicious files.
1. Download and Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
2. Open Malwarebytes and click the Scan Now button or go to the Scan tab and click the Start Scan button.
3. When the Malwarebytes scan is complete click the Remove Selected button.
4. To finish the Malwarebytes scan and remove detected threats click the Finish button and restart your computer if promoted to do so.
2. Scan your computer with HitmanPro
The second step to remove this adware is to download and install a second opinion scanner called HitmanPro by Surfright in order to perform a full system scan for malicious files.
1. Download and Install HitmanPro by Surfright.
2. Open HitmanPro and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
3. When the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button.
4. To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
5. Click the Reboot button.
3. Uninstall Search Window and unwanted programs
The third step to remove this adware is to uninstall Search Window and other unwanted programs in Windows Control Panel.
1. Open Windows Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.
2. In the Programs section click Uninstall a program. In earlier versions of Windows this is listed as “Add and remove programs.”
3. Search for Search Window Supporting Application in the list and double click it.
4. Once you have uninstalled Search Window Supporting Application search for other unwanted programs that may be installed on your computer and uninstall them as well.
4. Remove Search Window extension
The fourth step to remove this adware is to remove unwanted browser add-ons and extensions from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Apple Safari.
Google Chrome
1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the Search Window extension in the list and click the trashcan icon.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Menu and click Add-ons.
2. Search for the Search Window add-on and click Remove.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Go to Tools (Alt+X) and click Manage add-ons.
2. Search for the Search Window add-on in the list, select it with your mouse, and click Remove.
Apple Safari
1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
2. Search for the Search Window extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.
5. Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner
The fifth step to remove this adware is to download and install CCleaner by Piriform in order to delete leftover junk files, tracking cookies, registry entries, unwanted start-up tasks, and more.
1. Download and Install CCleaner by Piriform.
2. Open CCleaner and go to the main Cleaner screen. Click the Analyze button. When the process is complete, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Go to Tools > Startup and search for suspicious entries in each tab starting from Windows all the way to Content Menu. If you find anything suspicious click it and click the Delete button to remove it.
4. Go to the Registry window and click the Scan for Issues button. When the scan is complete click the Fix selected issues… button and click Fix All Selected Issues.
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