If FreeShoppingTool has appeared within your web-browser, then you need to know that your web browser has been affected by a nasty PUP (potentially unwanted program), specifically a browser hijacker. So, it’s time to remember what free program have you recently installed to your machine, because the hijacker most often infiltrates machine in a bundle with free or even paid applications as an additional component. Once started, this browser hijacker takes control of all your typical internet browsers and makes various changes to certain web-browser settings like new tab, startpage and search engine with its own.
When you are performing searches using the browser that has been affected by FreeShoppingTool, the search results will be returned from Bing, Yahoo or Google Custom Search. The devs behind FreeShoppingTool hijacker are most likely doing this to earn advertisement profit from the ads opened in the search results.
Also, adware (also known as ‘ad-supported’ software) can be installed on the personal computer together with FreeShoppingTool browser hijacker. It will insert a ton of advertisements directly to the web sites which you view, creating a sense that advertisements has been added by the makers of the site. Moreover, legal advertisements can be replaced on fake advertisements that will offer to download and install various unnecessary and malicious applications. Moreover, the FreeShoppingTool browser hijacker can be used to collect a wide variety of marketing-type data about you that can be later sold to third party companies.
Therefore, the FreeShoppingTool does not really have beneficial features. So, we recommend you remove FreeShoppingTool start page from the Firefox, Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer web-browsers sooner. This will also prevent the browser hijacker from tracking your online activities. A full FreeShoppingTool removal can be easily carried out using manual or automatic solution listed below.
Remove FreeShoppingTool from Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
As with removing adware, malicious software or PUPs, there are few steps you can do. We recommend trying them all. If you do only one part of the instructions, then it should be use malicious software removal tool, because it should delete hijacker infection and block any further infection. But to completely delete the FreeShoppingTool you’ll have to at least reset your browser settings such as new tab page, homepage and default search engine to default state, disinfect web browsers shortcuts, uninstall all unwanted and suspicious apps, and get rid of hijacker infection by malicious software removal tools. Read it once, after doing so, please print this page as you may need to close your internet browser or restart your system.
To remove FreeShoppingTool, perform the steps below:
- How to remove FreeShoppingTool without any software
- Run free malware removal tools to completely get rid of FreeShoppingTool search
- Run AdBlocker to block FreeShoppingTool and stay safe online
- How can you prevent your PC from the attack of FreeShoppingTool hijacker
- Finish words
How to remove FreeShoppingTool without any software
If you perform exactly the guide below you should be able to remove the FreeShoppingTool from the Google Chrome, IE, MS Edge and Firefox browsers.
Delete potentially unwanted applications through the MS Windows Control Panel
Some programs are free only because their setup file contains a browser hijacker such as the FreeShoppingTool. This unwanted apps generates profit for the authors when it is installed. Many browser hijackers can be uninstalled by simply uninstalling them from the ‘Uninstall a Program’ that is located in Windows control panel.
Make sure you have closed all browsers and other software. Next, uninstall any undesired and suspicious software from your Control panel.
Windows 10, 8.1, 8
Now, press the Windows button, type “Control panel” in search and press Enter. Choose “Programs and Features”, then “Uninstall a program”.
Look around the entire list of applications installed on your system. Most likely, one of them is the hijacker related to FreeShoppingTool start page. Choose the questionable program or the application that name is not familiar to you and remove it.
Windows Vista, 7
From the “Start” menu in Microsoft Windows, choose “Control Panel”. Under the “Programs” icon, choose “Uninstall a program”.
Choose the dubious or any unknown software, then click “Uninstall/Change” button to delete this undesired application from your computer.
Windows XP
Click the “Start” button, select “Control Panel” option. Click on “Add/Remove Programs”.
Choose an unwanted program, then click “Change/Remove” button. Follow the prompts.
Delete FreeShoppingTool from Firefox by resetting internet browser settings
If the Mozilla Firefox settings like default search provider, startpage and new tab have been replaced by the hijacker infection, then resetting it to the default state can help. However, your themes, bookmarks, history, passwords, and web form auto-fill information will not be deleted.
Start the Firefox and click the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the internet browser screen. Next, click the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will display the slide-out menu.
Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you’re unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as displayed below.
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation dialog box. The Mozilla Firefox will begin a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the browser hijacker that causes browsers to open annoying FreeShoppingTool web page. Once, it is done, click the “Finish” button.
Get rid of FreeShoppingTool from Chrome
Reset Chrome settings can help you solve some problems caused by hijacker and remove FreeShoppingTool from newtab, search provider and startpage. This will also disable harmful extensions as well as clear cookies and site data. Essential information such as bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, cookies, auto-fill data and personal dictionaries will not be removed.
- First start the Chrome and click Menu button (small button in the form of three dots).
- It will show the Google Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You’ll see the list of installed extensions. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, press the “Settings” menu.
- You will see the Google Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and click “Advanced” link.
- Scroll down again and press the “Reset” button.
- The Google Chrome will show the reset profile settings page as shown on the image above.
- Next click the “Reset” button.
- Once this process is finished, your browser’s default search provider, startpage and newtab will be restored to their original defaults.
- To learn more, read the article How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Remove FreeShoppingTool from IE
The Internet Explorer reset is great if your browser is hijacked or you have unwanted extensions or toolbars on your internet browser, which installed by a malware.
First, run the Internet Explorer, click ) button. Next, click “Internet Options” like below.
In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, press Reset button. The IE will show the Reset Internet Explorer settings prompt. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and click Reset button.
You will now need to restart your machine for the changes to take effect. It will delete hijacker that responsible for internet browser redirect to the undesired FreeShoppingTool page, disable malicious and ad-supported internet browser’s extensions and restore the Internet Explorer’s settings like default search provider, newtab page and homepage to default state.
Run free malware removal tools to completely get rid of FreeShoppingTool search
If your computer is still infected with the FreeShoppingTool browser hijacker, then the best method of detection and removal is to run an anti-malware scan on the machine. Download free malware removal tools below and launch a full system scan. It will help you remove all components of the browser hijacker from hardisk and Windows registry.
Use Zemana Free to remove FreeShoppingTool home page
Zemana AntiMalware is a malware removal tool made for Microsoft Windows. This utility will allow you get rid of FreeShoppingTool hijacker, various types of malicious software (including adware and PUPs) from your PC system. It has simple and user friendly interface. While the Zemana Free does its job, your personal computer will run smoothly.
Now you can install and use Zemana AntiMalware to remove FreeShoppingTool from your internet browser by following the steps below:
Visit the page linked below to download Zemana installation package called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup on your PC. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop or in any other place.
164037 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
Start the setup file after it has been downloaded successfully and then follow the prompts to install this utility on your PC system.
During setup you can change certain settings, but we suggest you do not make any changes to default settings.
When setup is done, this malicious software removal utility will automatically run and update itself. You will see its main window as shown on the image below.
Now press the “Scan” button to start checking your PC system for the browser hijacker that modifies internet browser settings to replace your search engine by default, new tab page and startpage with FreeShoppingTool page. This procedure may take quite a while, so please be patient.
After Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) has finished scanning, Zemana Free will open a list of all threats detected by the scan. In order to remove all items, simply click “Next” button.
The Zemana will begin to get rid of hijacker responsible for FreeShoppingTool search. Once that process is done, you can be prompted to restart your system to make the change take effect.
Scan your PC system and delete FreeShoppingTool search with HitmanPro
The Hitman Pro utility is free and easy to use. It can scan and remove hijacker infection that causes web-browsers to open intrusive FreeShoppingTool web page, malware, PUPs and adware from personal computer (Windows 10, 8, 7, XP) and thereby return web-browsers default settings (startpage, new tab and search engine by default). HitmanPro is powerful enough to search for and delete malicious registry entries and files that are hidden on the machine.
Download HitmanPro by clicking on the link below. Save it on your MS Windows desktop.
When the download is finished, open the file location and double-click the Hitman Pro icon. It will start the Hitman Pro tool. If the User Account Control prompt will ask you want to launch the program, press Yes button to continue.
Next, press “Next” to perform a system scan for the hijacker which designed to redirect your web-browser to the FreeShoppingTool web page. This process can take some time, so please be patient. While the HitmanPro application is scanning, you can see how many objects it has identified as threat.
When that process is complete, HitmanPro will open a list of all items detected by the scan as shown in the following example.
Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and click “Next” button. It will display a dialog box, click the “Activate free license” button. The Hitman Pro will delete hijacker responsible for redirecting your browser to FreeShoppingTool website and add threats to the Quarantine. Once disinfection is finished, the utility may ask you to reboot your personal computer.
Run Malwarebytes to remove FreeShoppingTool
Manual FreeShoppingTool redirect removal requires some computer skills. Some files and registry entries that created by the browser hijacker can be not completely removed. We recommend that use the Malwarebytes Free that are completely free your system of hijacker. Moreover, the free program will help you to delete malware, potentially unwanted apps, ad-supported software and toolbars that your PC can be infected too.
Please go to the link below to download the latest version of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware for Microsoft Windows. Save it on your Desktop.
326389 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once downloading is complete, close all programs and windows on your machine. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named mb3-setup as shown in the following example.
When the install begins, you’ll see the “Setup wizard” which will help you install Malwarebytes on your computer.
Once installation is complete, you will see window as displayed in the figure below.
Now click the “Scan Now” button for scanning your computer for the browser hijacker responsible for FreeShoppingTool homepage. Depending on your machine, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) program is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as threat.
When the scanning is finished, a list of all items detected is produced. Next, you need to click “Quarantine Selected” button.
The Malwarebytes will now remove hijacker which made to redirect your web browser to the FreeShoppingTool website and move items to the program’s quarantine. After disinfection is finished, you may be prompted to reboot your PC.
The following video explains instructions on how to remove browser hijacker, adware and other malicious software with MalwareBytes Free.
Run AdBlocker to block FreeShoppingTool and stay safe online
Use ad-blocking application such as AdGuard in order to stop ads, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install malicious and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons that affect your machine performance and impact your computer security. Surf the Web anonymously and stay safe online!
Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard from the link below. Save it to your Desktop.
26628 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
After downloading is complete, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as displayed below.
Follow the prompts. Once the setup is complete, you will see a window as displayed in the figure below.
You can click “Skip” to close the install program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial which will help 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 run your PC, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop ads, sites such as FreeShoppingTool, as well as other malicious or misleading sites. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, that is located on your desktop.
How can you prevent your PC from the attack of FreeShoppingTool hijacker
The FreeShoppingTool hijacker spreads with a simple but quite effective way. It is integrated into the installation package of various free programs. Thus on the process of installation, it will infect your web-browser and change it’s settings on the FreeShoppingTool. To avoid browser 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 setup method, which enables you to make sure that the program you want to install, thereby protect your system from the hijacker infection like the FreeShoppingTool.
Finish words
Now your personal computer should be free of the hijacker infection responsible for redirecting your web browser to FreeShoppingTool site. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop up advertisements and annoying harmful web pages) and Zemana (to periodically scan your PC for new hijacker infections and other malicious software). Probably you are running an older version of Java or Adobe Flash Player. This can be a security risk, so download and install the latest version right now.
If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of FreeShoppingTool search from the Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome and IE, then ask for help here here.