How to Remove Unwanted Toolbars on Windows

What Causes This?

Unwanted toolbars usually get installed when you download free software, browser add-ons, or bundled apps and click through the installer too quickly. Some toolbars are legitimate but unnecessary, while others change your browser settings, add startup items, and leave behind files even after you remove them. In some cases, adware or potentially unwanted programs reinstall the toolbar or keep related background processes running.

Common Symptoms

• A new toolbar appears in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox that you did not intentionally install
• Your homepage, default search engine, or new tab page changes on its own
• Your browser feels slower or opens extra ads and pop-ups
• The toolbar comes back after you remove the extension
• You see unfamiliar programs listed in Apps or startup items

How to Fix It Manually

1. Uninstall suspicious programs from Windows

   1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
   2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
   3. Sort by Install date if needed.
   4. Look for recently installed or unfamiliar programs related to the toolbar.
   5. Click the three dots next to the app and choose Uninstall.
   6. Restart your PC after removing anything suspicious.

2. Remove the toolbar or extension from your browser

   1. Open your browser and go to its extensions page:
      • Chrome: enter chrome://extensions
      • Edge: enter edge://extensions
      • Firefox: enter about:addons
   2. Find the unwanted toolbar, extension, or add-on.
   3. Click Remove or Disable.
   4. If the browser says the extension is managed by an organization and this is your personal PC, that can point to adware or a policy change that needs cleanup.

3. Reset changed browser settings

   1. Check your browser’s Search engine, Homepage, and New tab settings.
   2. In Chrome, go to Settings > Search engine and Settings > On startup.
   3. In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services and Settings > Start, home, and new tabs.
   4. In Firefox, go to Settings > Home and Settings > Search.
   5. Set your preferred homepage and default search engine back manually.
   6. If needed, use the browser’s built-in Reset settings option to restore defaults.

4. Disable related startup apps and background processes

   1. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
   2. Click the Startup apps tab.
   3. Disable anything unfamiliar that matches the toolbar or recently installed software.
   4. Then check the Processes tab for suspicious browser helpers or updater processes and End task if they are clearly tied to the unwanted toolbar.

5. Delete leftover files and scheduled tasks

   1. Press Windows + R, type %ProgramFiles%, and press Enter. Also check %ProgramFiles(x86)% and %AppData%.
   2. Look for folders matching the toolbar or unwanted app name and delete them if the program has already been uninstalled.
   3. Open Task Scheduler by searching for it in the Start menu.
   4. In Task Scheduler Library, look for tasks tied to the toolbar, updater, or unknown browser helper and delete them carefully.

6. Run a Windows Security scan

   1. Open Windows Security from the Start menu.
   2. Go to Virus & threat protection.
   3. Click Scan options and run a Full scan.
   4. Remove or quarantine anything Windows Security finds, then restart your PC.

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

Kudu can scan your system for unwanted toolbars, browser add-ons, startup entries, scheduled tasks, and leftover files that manual uninstallers often miss. It helps clean the associated junk and settings changes so the toolbar is less likely to come back.

Download Kudu Free →