The Tools Plus is an adware that opens annoying ads and can redirect to other ads sites. If the Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Edge displays lots of ads signed with “Ad by Tools Plus” or “Powered by Tools Plus” then most probably that your machine is infected with this ‘ad-supported’ software (also known as adware).
The ad-supported software is the part of the software that is used as an online promotional tool. It’s created with the sole purpose to display dozens of pop-ups, and thus to promote the goods and services in an open web browser window. So, the Tools Plus is just one of the many unwanted software of the so-called ‘ad-support’ type. It is designed to fill the web-browser’s constant stream of ads, or redirect the web browser to not expected and intrusive advertising web-pages. Moreover, the ad-supported software can substitute the legitimate advertising banners on misleading or even banners that can offer to visit harmful pages. The reason is simple, many advertisers agree on any ways to attract users to their web pages, so the creators of ‘ad supported’ software, often forcing users to click on an advertising link. For each click on a link, the authors of the adware receive income. It’s the so-called ‘Pay-Per-Click’ method.
Therefore it is very important to follow the instructions below as quickly as possible. The instructions will assist you to delete ad supported software as well as clean your computer from the Tools Plus pop-up ads. What is more, the step-by-step instructions below will help you remove other dangerous software like unwanted toolbars and browser hijackers, which could penetrate the machine along with the ‘ad supported’ software.
How can you prevent the Tools Plus popup ads
The ad supported software usually come bundled with other freeware that you download off of the Web. Once started, it’ll infect your PC system and configure your web-browser’s to display a large amount of the Tools Plus unwanted ads without your permission. To avoid infection, in the Setup wizard, you should be be proactive and carefully read the ‘Terms of use’, the ‘license agreement’ and other setup screens, as well as to always choose the ‘Manual’ or ‘Advanced’ install mode, when installing anything downloaded from the Internet.
How to manually remove Tools Plus pop-up ads
The following instructions is a step-by-step guide, that will assist you manually delete Tools Plus ads from the Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Edge.
- Delete suspicious and unknown programs by using Windows Control Panel
- Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts
- Remove Tools Plus ads from Chrome
- Get rid of Tools Plus pop-up ads from Firefox
- Delete Tools Plus pop-up ads from Internet Explorer
- Get rid of unwanted Scheduled Tasks
Delete suspicious and unknown programs by using Windows Control Panel
Press Windows key 
, then click Search 
. Type “Control panel”and press Enter. If you using Windows XP or Windows 7, then click “Start” and select “Control Panel”. It will display the Windows Control Panel as shown on the image below.
Next, click “Uninstall a program” 
It’ll show a list of all software. Scroll through the all list and remove any suspicious and unknown programs.
Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts
Once the ad-supported software is started, it can also change the web-browser’s shortcuts, adding an argument such as “http://site.address” into the Target field. Due to this, every time you start the internet browser, it will be redirected to an annoying ads.
To clear the web-browser shortcut, right-click to it and select Properties. 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 that begins with “http://” that has been added here. You need to remove it.
When the argument is removed, click the OK button. You need to clean all shortcuts of all your web browsers, as they may be infected too.
Remove Tools Plus ads from Chrome
Reset Google Chrome settings is a simple way to remove the malware and adware, as well as to restore the browser’s settings that have been modified by ad supported software.
- Now launch the Google Chrome and click Menu button (small button in the form of three horizontal stripes).
- It will open the Chrome main menu. Select “Settings” option.
- You will see the Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and click “Show advanced settings” link.
- Scroll down again and click the “Reset settings” button.
- The Google Chrome will open the reset profile settings page as shown on the screen above.
- Next, click the “Reset” button.
- When this procedure is finished, your internet browser’s settings will be restored to their original defaults. This will reset your startpage, new tab page and default search engine.
- To learn more, read the blog post How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Get rid of Tools Plus pop-up ads from Firefox
If the FF settings have been replaced by the adware, then resetting it to the default state can help you to remove the reroute onto Tools Plus web-page.
First, launch the Firefox and press 
button. It will show the drop-down menu on the right-part of the web browser. Next, press the Help button (
) as shown 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 web-browser address bar and press Enter. It will show the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown in the figure below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, press the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will show the confirmation prompt, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The FF will begin a task to fix your problems that caused by the ad-supported software. When it’s complete, press the “Finish” button
Delete Tools Plus pop-up ads from Internet Explorer
First, run the Microsoft Internet Explorer, then click 
button. Next, press “Internet Options” as shown below.
In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, press the “Reset” button. The Internet Explorer will show the “Reset Internet Explorer” settings dialog box. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and press Reset button.
You will now need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. It will restore the Microsoft Internet Explorer’s settings like homepage and search engine by default to default state, disable ad-supported internet browser’s extensions and thereby get rid of the Tools Plus unwanted ads.
Get rid of unwanted Scheduled Tasks
If the unwanted Tools Plus ads opens automatically on Windows startup or at equal time intervals, then you need to check the Task Scheduler Library and remove all the tasks that have been created by unwanted programs.
Press Windows and R keys on the keyboard at the same time. This shows a prompt that titled as Run. In the text field, type “taskschd.msc” (without the quotes) and click OK. Task Scheduler window opens. In the left-hand side, click “Task Scheduler Library”, as shown on the screen below.
Task scheduler
In the middle part you will see a list of installed tasks. Select the first task, its properties will be open just below automatically. Next, click the Actions tab. Pay attention to that it launches on your computer. Found something like “explorer.exe http://site.address” or “chrome.exe http://site.address”, then you need remove it. If you are not sure that executes the task, check it through a search engine. If it is a component of the adware, then this task also should be removed.
Having defined the task that you want to get rid of, then click on it with the right mouse button and select Delete as shown on the screen below.
Delete a task
Repeat this step, if you have found a few tasks that have been created by adware. Once is complete, close the Task Scheduler window.
How to remove Tools Plus ads automatically
Manual removal is not always as effective as you might think. Often, even the most experienced users can not completely delete Tools Plus ads from the infected personal computer. This is because the adware can hide its components which are difficult for you to find out and get rid of completely. This may lead to the fact that after some time, the adware again infect your personal computer and it will start to open unwanted Tools Plus ads. Moreover, I want to note that it is not always safe to get rid of ‘ad supported’ software manually, if you do not have much experience in setting up and configuring the PC.
I suggest using the Malwarebytes Free that are completely clean your system. It is an advanced malware removal program developed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti-malware technology. It is able to help you remove browser hijackers, malware, ad supported software, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your computer for free.
Now, click the link below to download Malwarebytes Free on your machine. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.
326377 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once the download is finished, close all applications on your PC. Next, start the setup file named mb3-setup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as shown below, click the Yes button.
It will open the “Setup wizard” which will help you install Malwarebytes on your computer. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.
Once installation is done successfully, click Finish button. Then Malwarebytes will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown on the image below.
Now press the “Scan Now” button to start scanning your computer for the Tools Plus adware. Once the ad supported software or malware is found, the number of the detected objects will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is complete. Please be patient.
Once the system scan is finished, you can check all threats detected on your computer. Make sure all entries have “checkmark” and click “Quarantine Selected” button. The Malwarebytes will start removing malware and ‘ad supported’ software that cause Tools Plus ads. Once disinfection is complete, you may be prompted to reboot your system.
I suggest you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the Malwarebytes application to get rid of ad-supported software and other malware.
How to block Tools Plus ads
To increase your security and protect your PC against new annoying ads and malicious sites, you need to use an application that blocks access to harmful ads and pages. Moreover, the program can stop the open of intrusive advertising, which also leads to faster loading of sites and reduce the consumption of web traffic.
- Download AdGuard program from the following link.
Adguard download
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- Once the downloading process is complete, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” window. Follow the prompts.
- Once the setup is finished, click “Skip” to close it and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see a quick tutorial which will assist 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 start your computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop pop-ups, Tools Plus ads, as well as other harmful or misleading web-pages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, that is located on your Windows desktop.
If the problem with Tools Plus ads is still remained
If MalwareBytes cannot delete Tools Plus ads, then we suggests to use the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal tool for adware, browser hijackers, PUPs, toolbars.
- Download AdwCleaner from the link below.
AdwCleaner download
225255 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024
- Double click the AdwCleaner icon. Once the utility is opened the main screen will appear as shown on the image above.
- Now, press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the ad supported software that generates Tools Plus advertisements.
- When it has finished scanning your machine, AdwCleaner will show a scan report. Review the report and then press “Clean” button. It will open a dialog box, press “OK” button.
The following video explains the instructions above on how to get rid of adware with AdwCleaner.
Finish words
Now your PC should be clean of the Tools Plus adware. Remove AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted popup ads and annoying malicious web sites) and Malwarebytes (to periodically scan your system for new malware and adware). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Windows OS. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new dangerous applications and adware are released.
If you are still having problems while trying to delete Tools Plus ads from your personal computer, then ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.
