What is OptimumSearch?
OptimumSearch is a deceptive browser extension that can get installed without user notice. This is a potentially unwanted program that often comes secretly bundled with various free programs from the Internet. Following stealthy installation, it takes control of your browser to prevent a user from removing it. The main purpose of this browser extension is to generate advertising revenue by redirecting users to affiliated and sponsored material online. Furthermore, this program fills your browser with a lot of sponsored advertisements. In no case, do not click these ads since they may lead you to far from safe pages. Therefore, to secure your computer and revert previous browser settings, you need to remove OptimumSearch right now. To do that, follow the instructions below.
How to remove OptimumSearch?
Performing an antimalware scan with Norton would automatically search out and delete all elements related to malware. It is not only the easiest way to eliminate malware, but also the safest and most assuring one.
Norton Antivirus is a well-established tool for Mac users that can clear your computer from malware. Another important advantage of the program is an up-to-date database of computer threats which is perfect to protect your computer in case of a new malware attack.
Steps of OptimumSearch manual removal
To make sure that the hijacker won’t appear again, you need to delete OptimumSearch completely. For this, you need to remove the application from the Control Panel and then check the drives for such leftovers as OptimumSearch files and registry entries. We should warn you that performing some of the steps may require above-average skills, so if you don’t feel experienced enough, you may apply to the automatic removal tool.
Uninstall OptimumSearch from Control Panel
As it was stated before, more likely that the hijacker appeared on your system brought by other software. So, to get rid of OptimumSearch you need to call to memory what you have installed recently.
How to remove OptimumSearch from Mac
- Open a Finder window
- Click Applications line on the sidebar
- Select the application related to OptimumSearch right-click it and choose Move to Trash
How to remove OptimumSearch from Windows XP
- Click the Start button and open Control Panel
- Go to Add or Remove Programs
- Find the application related to OptimumSearch and click Uninstall
How to remove OptimumSearch from Windows 7/Vista
- Click the Start button and open Control Panel
- Go to Uninstall Program
- Find the application related to OptimumSearch and click Uninstall
How to remove OptimumSearch from Windows 8/8.1
- Right-click the menu icon in left bottom corner
- Choose Control Panel
- Select the Uninstall Program line
- Uninstall the application related to OptimumSearch
How to remove OptimumSearch from Windows 10
- Press Win+X to open Windows Power menu
- Click Control Panel
- Choose Uninstall a Program
- Select the application related to OptimumSearch and remove it
If you experience problems with removing OptimumSearch from Control Panel: there is no such title on the list, or you receive an error preventing you from deleting the application, see the article dedicated to this issue.
Read what to do if program won’t uninstall from Control Panel
Remove OptimumSearch from browsers
How to unlock Windows Group Policies
Before you will started to remove OptimumSearch from browser you should perform following instructions in Command Prompt
This step is necessary to delete Windows Group Policies created by OptimumSearch
- Start Command Prompt as Administrator
- To do this in Windows 10/8 or Windows 7 click Start and in the search box type cmd. Right-click on the found result and choose Run as Administrator.
- While in command prompt type:
rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers" - Press Enter button.
- Then type:
rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy" - Press Enter button.
- Finally, type:
gpupdate /force - Press Enter button.
Since some of the hijacker threats use a disguise of a browser add-on, you will need to check the list of extensions/add-ons in your browser.
How to remove OptimumSearch from Safari
- Start Safari
- Click on Safari menu button, then go to the Extensions
- Delete OptimumSearch or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove OptimumSearch from Google Chrome
- Start Google Chrome
- Click on More tools, then go to the Extensions
- Delete OptimumSearch or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove OptimumSearch from Internet Explorer
- Launch Internet Explorer
- Click on the Tools/Gear icon, then select Manage Add-ons
- Delete OptimumSearch or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove OptimumSearch from Mozilla Firefox
- Start Mozilla Firefox
- Click on the right-upper corner button
- Click Add-ons, then go to Extensions
- Delete OptimumSearch or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove OptimumSearch from Microsoft Edge
- Start Microsoft Edge
- Click the three-dot button in the upper right corner
- Choose Extensions
- Click the gear icon near OptimumSearch or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
- Choose Remove
Reset your browsers
How to reset settings in Google Chrome
- Click on the icon in the right-upper corner
- Choose Settings
- Click Advanced settings
- Click the Reset button
- In “reset” window click the Reset button
How to reset settings in Mozilla Firefox
- Click the icon in the upper right corner
- Choose Help
- Select Troubleshooting Information
- Click the Refresh Firefox… button
How to reset settings in Internet Explorer
- Click on the Tools button
- Go to Internet options
- Go to the Advanced tab
- Click Reset
How to reset settings in Microsoft Edge
- Start Microsoft Edge
- Click the three-dot button in the upper right corner
- Choose Settings
- Under the Clear browsing data category select Choose what to clear
- Select everything and click Clear
If the above-mentioned methods didn’t help in eliminating the threat, then it’s better to rely on an automatic way of deleting OptimumSearch.
We also recommend to download and use Norton to scan the system after OptimumSearch removal to make sure that it is completely gone. The antimalware application will detect any vicious components left among system files and registry entries that can recover OptimumSearch.
