How to uninstall LauncherSetup app/extension from Mac

What is LauncherSetup

LauncherSetup is supposed to be an app that will improve the browsing experience, but it is adware. Adware is a form of malicious software that can cause all kind of problems within web browsers. LauncherSetup can cause unwanted redirects, unclosable windows or inline text links with adverts you do not want. These ads are used to promote sales or web-traffic to malicious web sites or publisher in order to generate revenue. So, if you experience unwanted advertising and pop ups in your web-browser, it is advised to check the computer for adware or potentially unwanted programs.

Another reason why you need to get rid of LauncherSetup is its online data-tracking activity. It is able to collect lots of marketing-type data about you to get profit. The adware can analyze your surfing, and gain access to your user information and, later, can use it for marketing purposes. Thus, there are more than enough reasons to remove LauncherSetup from your Mac.

If the Safari, Chrome and Mozilla Firefox have been hijacked by the adware software, you must have done any of the steps below. Once you have removed LauncherSetup from your Apple Mac by following our suggestions below, make sure not to commit the same mistakes again in the future.

How does LauncherSetup get on your MAC

The majority of adware is bundled within free software or even paid apps which Internet users can easily download online. The setup files of such apps, most often, clearly display that they will install additional apps. The option is given to users to block the installation of any additional apps. So, in order to avoid the setup of any adware software: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, select only Custom or Advanced installation mode and uncheck all additional programs in which you are unsure.

Threat Summary

Name	LauncherSetup, LauncherSetup 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	Adware.MAC.Generic, ApplicUnwnt, MacOS.Agent-MT, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Adware/Adload!OSX, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload and OSX.Trojan.Gen
Distribution	Free software installers, torrent downloads, fake update tools and malicious popup advertisements
Symptoms	When you go to a web page, you’re constantly redirected to another website that you do not intend to visit, advertising banners appear on web-pages that you are visiting, new entries appear in your Applications folder, an unexpected extension appears in your web browser, your internet browser home page has changed and you are unable to change it back, slow Internet browsing speeds.
Removal	LauncherSetup removal guide

How to remove LauncherSetup adware

Fortunately, it is not hard to remove LauncherSetup . In the following guide, we will provide two solutions to free your MAC system of this adware software. One is the manual removal method and the other is automatic removal solution. You can choose the solution that best fits you. Please follow the removal tutorial below to remove adware right now!

To remove LauncherSetup, execute the following steps:

1. Remove profiles created by LauncherSetup
2. Delete LauncherSetup related apps through the Finder
3. Remove LauncherSetup related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove LauncherSetup from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. Finish words

Remove profiles created by LauncherSetup

LauncherSetup can make changes to the Mac system such as malicious changes to browser settings, and the addition of malicious system profiles. You need to check the system preferences, find and remove malicious profiles and ensure your settings are as you expect.

Click the System Preferences icon ( ) in the Dock, or choose Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile associated with LauncherSetup.

Click the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen to remove the profile.
Note: if you do not see Profiles in the System Preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on your Mac, which is normal.

Delete LauncherSetup related apps through the Finder

Some of adware, browser hijackers and PUPs can be uninstalled using the Move to Trash utility that is located in the Finder. So, if you’re running any version of Mac and you have noticed an unwanted program, then first try to delete it through the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications” as shown on the screen below.

You will see a list of apps installed on your MAC. We recommend to pay maximum attention to the program you installed last. Most likely, it is the LauncherSetup adware. If you are in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing.

Once the program which you need to uninstall is found, simply right click on its name, and select “Move to Trash”.

Don’t forget, choose Finder, then “Empty Trash”.

Remove LauncherSetup related files and folders

Now you need to try to find LauncherSetup related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

LauncherSetup creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted application.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.LauncherSetup.system.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.LauncherSetup.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.LauncherSetup.system
• ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.LauncherSetup.service.app

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for LauncherSetup generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: search.plist, com.LauncherSetup.service.plist, macsearch.plist, com.machelper.plist, com.google.defaultsearch.plist, , com.net-preferences.plist and installapp.plist. Most often, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers and adware create several files with similar names.

Check for LauncherSetup generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folder. Check the contents of suspicious folders, if there is a file with a name similar to com.LauncherSetup.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

Check for LauncherSetup generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for LauncherSetup generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.LauncherSetup.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist, com.macsearch.system.plist, com.search.system.plist and com.machelper.system.plist. In most cases, adware, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

Manual LauncherSetup removal requires some computer skills. Some files and system entries that created by the adware may be not completely removed. We recommend that run MalwareBytes Free to scan the Mac. Moreover, this program will help you to remove toolbars, adware software, PUPs and browser hijackers that your MAC system may be affected too.

1. Installing the MalwareBytes AntiMalware is simple. First you’ll need to download MalwareBytes from the following link. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20841 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. When downloading is complete, close all software and windows on your Apple Mac. Open a folder in which you saved it. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
3. Click the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes program will scan through the whole MAC system for the LauncherSetup . A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your Apple Mac and the speed of your MAC system. During the scan MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will detect threats exist on your computer.
4. After the system scan is finished, it will open the Scan Results. You may remove threats (move to Quarantine) by simply press “Quarantine”.

Remove LauncherSetup from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you are still seeing LauncherSetup adware software that won’t go away, you might have malicious extensions installed on your web-browser. Check your internet browser for unwanted plugins using the steps below.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the Google Chrome menu. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to delete LauncherSetup by reset Google Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing problems with LauncherSetup adware removal, you need to reset Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

It is also critical to protect your internet browsers from harmful webpages and advertisements by using an ad blocker program such as AdGuard. Security experts says that it will greatly reduce the risk of malware, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard can also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.

After the download is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.

Each time, when you launch your Apple Mac, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop unwanted popups, block malicious and misleading web-pages.

Finish words

Now your MAC OS should be clean of the LauncherSetup adware. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes AntiMalware (to periodically scan your MAC for new adwares and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop-ups and harmful websites). Moreover, to prevent any adware software, please stay clear of unknown and third party apps.

If you need more help with LauncherSetup related issues, go to here.