How to remove chromesearch.win from your browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is chromesearch.win?
Chromesearch.win is a fake Internet search engine identical to chromesearch.net, chromesearch.info, chromesearch.club, and chromesearch.today.
By offering improved results, chromesearch.win attempts to give the impression of legitimacy, however, developers promote this site using rogue download/installation set-ups that hijack web browsers and modify various settings without permission. In addition, chromesearch.win continually records information relating to web browsing activity.
More abotu chromesearch.win and its promotion
Rogue set-ups target Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Following infiltration, they modify the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options by assigning them to chromesearch.win. In addition, set-ups stealthily install a number of potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and browser extensions.
These so-called "helper objects" reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, users are unable to revert changes performed by rogue set-ups and are encouraged to visit chromesearch.win when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience.
Data tracking is also an issue. Research shows that chromesearch.win and "helper objects" continually gather various information relating to web browsing habits. Collected data typically includes personal details that developers later sell to third parties for marketing persons. These people generate revenue by misusing private information.
Thus, information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to chromesearch.win, immediately remove all dubious applications/browser plug-ins, scan the system with a legitimate anti-virus software, and never return to this site.
| Name | chromesearch.win browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Fake search engines in general
The Internet is full of fake search engines, all of which are very similar. They claim to enhance the web browsing experience by generating improved results and, sometimes by providing other 'useful features' (e.g., weather forecasts, shortcuts to popular websites, etc.) These claims are merely attempts to trick users into believing that sites such as chromesearch.win are legitimate.
The only purpose of all fake search engines is to generate revenue for the developers. These websites deliver no real value for regular users. Be aware also that some fake search engines feed users with misleading results and intrusive ads (coupons, banners, and so on).
In both cases, users are redirected to malicious websites. In addition, the ads might execute scripts that download and install malware. Therefore, using a fake Internet search engine can lead to high-risk computer infections.
How did chromesearch.win install on my computer?
As mentioned above, chromesearch.win is promoted using browser-hijacking downloaders/installers. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling".
Developers know that users often rush download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, all information regarding modification of browser settings is hidden within "Custom/Advanced" options or other sections of these procedures. By rushing and skipping steps, users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify settings, thus compromising their privacy.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Potentially unwanted programs are distributed using the "bundling" method and intrusive advertisements. To prevent infiltration, be very cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet. Choose "Advanced/Custom" download/installation settings, carefully analyze each step, and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.
Download your applications from official sources only, using a direct download link. Third party download/installation tools are used to promote malicious apps (the "bundling" method) and, therefore, should not be used.
Be aware that criminals invest many resources into intrusive ad design - most look legitimate, however, these ads are distinguishable, since they lead to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious sites. If you encounter these redirects, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. The key to computer safety is caution.
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue set-ups install Google Chrome extension as Administrator (read more here), thereby preventing removal. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:
1) Open the Command Prompt by clicking the start menu button and typing "command prompt". Right click the "Command Prompt" result and select "Run as Administrator":
2) Execute the following commands:
- rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers"
- rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy"
- gpupdate /force
After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this browser hijacker.
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is chromesearch.win?
- STEP 1. Uninstall chromesearch.win application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove chromesearch.win redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove chromesearch.win browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove chromesearch.win homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove chromesearch.win redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Chromesearch.win browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently-installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the chromesearch.win website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Chromesearch.win browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://chromesearch.win and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "chromesearch.win".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the chromesearch.win browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.chromesearch.win) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list, look for "chromesearch", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the chromesearch.win browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove all recently-installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://chromesearch.win and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "chromesearch.win"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with chromesearch.win browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the chromesearch.win browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit chromesearch.win website?
The purpose of pushing users to visit the chromesearch.win website is likely to generate higher traffic, which can lead to increased revenue for the site’s operators. The more visitors the site attracts, the more money they can potentially make.
Is visiting chromesearch.win a threat to my privacy?
Yes, visiting chromesearch.win can be a threat to your privacy, as it may track your browsing habits and potentially expose you to unwanted ads or scams.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers tend to be installed or added unknowingly when users bypass "Advanced" or "Custom" installation options while installing free or unreliable software. They can also be distributed through dubious websites, unofficial app stores, peer-to-peer networks, third-party download managers, and similar channels.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove any browser hijackers. Manual removal can be tricky because hijackers might reinstall each other. That is why it is important to remove all of them at once (if more than one hijacker is present).
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