How to remove SrchSafe [Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge]

Except that the SrchSafe imposes changes to internet browser’s home page and newtab, it also changes your search provider, which leads to the fact that use of the web browser’s search becomes uncomfortable. The reason for this is that the search results will consist of a lot of ads, links to unwanted and ad web-sites and only the remaining part is search results for your query from well-known search engines such as Google or Bing.

Although, SrchSafe hijacker infection is not a virus, but it does bad things, and it introduces changes to current settings of all your typical web browsers. Moreover, an ‘ad-supported’ software (also known as adware) can be additionally installed on to your computer by this hijacker, which will display tons of ads, or even massive full page advertisements that blocks surfing the Internet. Often such these advertisements can recommend to install other unknown and unwanted software or visit harmful web sites.

The SrchSafe hijacker can change current settings of installed web-browsers, but often that the unwanted software may also infect all types of web browsers by changing their desktop shortcuts. Thus forcing the user to see SrchSafe unwanted web-page every time launch the internet browser.

We suggest you to remove SrchSafe start page and free your computer of hijacker infection as soon as possible, until the presence of the hijacker infection has not led to even worse consequences. You need to follow the step-by-step instructions below that will assist you to completely get rid of SrchSafe search, using only the built-in Windows features and a few of specialized free utilities.

How to remove SrchSafe from computer

There are a simple manual steps below that will help you to remove SrchSafe from your Microsoft Windows computer. The most effective method to delete this hijacker is to follow the manual removal guide and then use Zemana Anti-malware, Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner automatic tools (all are free). The manual solution will help to weaken this hijacker infection and these malicious software removal utilities will completely get rid of SrchSafe and revert back the Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Edge settings to default.

How to delete SrchSafe home page without any software

Steps to delete SrchSafe hijacker without any programs are presented below. Be sure to carry out the step-by-step tutorial completely to fully remove this unwanted SrchSafe search.

Uninstall SrchSafe associated software by using Microsoft Windows Control Panel

In order to remove SrchSafe, first thing you need to do is to remove unknown and suspicious programs from your computer using Microsoft Windows control panel. When uninstalling this hijacker, check the list of installed applications and try to find suspicious programs and uninstall them all. Pay special attention to recently installed programs, as it is most probably that the SrchSafe hijacker сame along with it.

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 click “Start” button and click “Control Panel”.
3. It will open the Windows Control Panel.
4. Further, click “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
5. It will show a list of all software installed on the computer.
6. Scroll through the all list, and delete suspicious and unknown applications. To quickly find the latest installed applications, we recommend sort programs by date.

See more details in the video guide below.

Clean up the web browsers shortcuts which have been hijacked

Now you need to clean up the browser shortcuts. Check that the shortcut referring to the right exe-file of the internet browser, and not on any unknown file.

Right click on the web-browser’s shortcut, click Properties option. 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 “http://site.address” that has been added here. Remove everything after .exe. An example, for Google Chrome you should remove everything after chrome.exe.

To save changes, click OK . You need to clean all internet browser’s shortcuts. So, repeat this step for the Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge.

Delete SrchSafe startpage from Microsoft Internet Explorer

If you find that Microsoft Internet Explorer web-browser settings such as start page, new tab and search engine by default having been hijacked, then you may revert back your settings, via the reset web-browser procedure.

First, launch the Internet Explorer. Next, press the button in the form of gear (). It will show the Tools drop-down menu, click the “Internet Options” as shown on the image below.

In the “Internet Options” window click on the Advanced tab, then press the Reset button. The IE will show the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window as shown in the figure below. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then press “Reset” button.

You will now need to reboot your personal computer for the changes to take effect.

Get rid of SrchSafe from Google Chrome

In order to be sure that there is nothing left behind, we recommend you to reset Google Chrome web-browser. It will revert back Chrome settings including start page, newtab and search provider by default to defaults.

1. First run the Google Chrome and click Menu button (small button in the form of three horizontal stripes).
2. It will display the Chrome main menu. Select “Settings” option.
3. You will see the Google Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and click “Show advanced settings” link.
4. Scroll down again and press the “Reset settings” button.
5. The Google Chrome will show the reset profile settings page as shown on the image above.
6. Next press the “Reset” button.
7. Once this task is complete, your browser’s start page, newtab and default search provider will be restored to their original defaults.
8. To learn more, read the blog post How to reset Chrome settings to default.

Remove SrchSafe from Mozilla Firefox

If your Mozilla Firefox web-browser startpage has changed to SrchSafe without your permission or an unknown search engine shows results for your search, then it may be time to perform the web browser reset.

First, open the FF. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will open the drop-down menu. Next, click the Help button ().

In the Help menu press the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page click on “Refresh Firefox” button as shown on the image below.

Confirm your action, click the “Refresh Firefox”.

Scan your computer and remove SrchSafe with free tools

If your machine is still infected with the SrchSafe browser hijacker, then the best way of detection and removal is to use an antimalware scan on the computer. Download free malicious software removal tools below and run a full system scan. It will help you get rid of all components of the hijacker from hardisk and Windows registry.

Use Zemana Anti-malware to delete hijacker

We recommend using the Zemana Anti-malware. You may download and install Zemana Anti-malware to find and remove SrchSafe homepage from your computer. When installed and updated, the malicious software remover will automatically scan and detect all threats exist on the personal computer.

Download Zemana Anti Malware by clicking on the link below.

After downloading is done, close all applications and windows on your machine. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup as shown below.

When the setup begins, you will see the “Setup wizard” that will help you install Zemana AntiMalware on your computer.

Once install is done, you will see window as shown on the image below.

Now click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the hijacker infection that cause SrchSafe page to appear. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your personal computer. While the utility is checking, you can see number of objects and files has already scanned.

After that process is finished, it’ll show a list of found threats. Review the report and then click “Next” button.

The Zemana Anti-malware will get rid of hijacker infection that causes web-browsers to open undesired SrchSafe page.

Remove SrchSafe with Malwarebytes

We recommend using the Malwarebytes Free that are completely clean your computer of the browser hijacker infection. The free utility is an advanced malicious software removal program developed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This application uses the world’s most popular antimalware technology. It is able to help you remove hijacker infections, PUPs, malware, adware, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your PC for free.

Download Malwarebytes Free on your computer from the link below. Save it on your desktop.

When the downloading process is done, close all windows on your computer. Further, start the file named mb3-setup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as shown on the image below, click the “Yes” button.

It will open the “Setup wizard” that will help you install Malwarebytes on the machine. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.

Once setup is finished successfully, click Finish button. Then Malwarebytes will automatically start and you may see its main window as on the image below.

Next, click the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan with this utility for the SrchSafe hijacker related files, folders and registry keys. This process can take quite a while, so please be patient. When a threat is found, the count of the security threats will change accordingly.

Once it completes the scan, it’ll open a list of found items. Review the scan results and then click “Quarantine Selected” button.

The Malwarebytes will get rid of SrchSafe browser hijacker infection and other malware and ad supported software. Once disinfection is done, you can be prompted to reboot your computer. We recommend you look at the following video, which completely explains the process of using the Malwarebytes to delete browser hijackers, ad supported software and other malicious software.

Run AdwCleaner to remove SrchSafe search

If MalwareBytes anti-malware or Zemana anti malware cannot remove this hijacker, then we suggests to use the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal tool for hijacker infections, adware, potentially unwanted applications and toolbars.

1. Download AdwCleaner from the link below.
   
   

   AdwCleaner download
   225264 downloads
   Version: 8.4.1
   Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: October 5, 2024
   
2. When downloading is complete, double click the AdwCleaner icon. Once this utility is started, press “Scan” button It’ll scan through the whole personal computer for the browser hijacker that redirects your web-browser to annoying SrchSafe web site. While the tool is scanning, you can see count of objects it has identified as being infected by malware.
3. When the scan is done, it will show you the results. Next, you need to press “Clean” button. It will display a prompt, click “OK”.

These few simple steps are shown in detail in the following video guide.

Use AdBlocker to stay safe online

We suggest to install an ad blocking program which can block SrchSafe and other undesired web-pages. The ad blocking tool like AdGuard is a program that basically removes advertising from the Internet and blocks access to malicious pages. Moreover, security experts says that using ad blocking programs is necessary to stay safe when surfing the Net.

Installing the AdGuard ad-blocking application is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard from the following link.

Once the download is finished, double-click the downloaded file to launch 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 guide as shown in the figure below.

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

Each time, when you start your computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop pop-up ads, pages such SrchSafe, as well as other malicious or misleading web sites. 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 may be found on your desktop.

Do not know how your web browser has been hijacked by SrchSafe hijacker?

The SrchSafe hijacker spreads with a simple but quite effective way. It is integrated into the setup file of various free software. Thus on the process of installation, it will infect your web-browser and change it’s settings on the SrchSafe. To avoid hijacker, you just need to follow a few simple rules: carefully read the Terms of Use and the license, select only a Manual, Custom or Advanced installation method, which enables you to make sure that the program you want to install, thereby protect your PC from the browser hijacker like the SrchSafe.

To sum up

Once you have finished the guidance above, your personal computer should be clean from malware and browser hijackers. The Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer and MS Edge will no longer open SrchSafe undesired startpage on startup. Unfortunately, if the guide does not help you, then you have caught a new browser hijacker, and then the best way – ask for help.

1. Download HijackThis from the link below and save it to your Desktop.
   
   

   HijackThis download
   4694 downloads
   Version: 2.0.5
   Author: OpenSource
   Category: Security tools
   Update: November 7, 2015
   
2. Double-click on the HijackThis icon. Next click “Do a system scan only” button.
3. Once the scan is finished, the scan button will read “Save log”, click it. Save this log to your desktop.
4. Create a Myantispyware account here. Once you’ve registered, check your e-mail for a confirmation link, and confirm your account. After that, login.
5. Copy and paste the contents of the HijackThis log into your post. If you are posting for the first time, please start a new thread by using the “New Topic” button in the Spyware Removal forum. When posting your HJT log, try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately.
6. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the unwanted SrchSafe home page.