How to remove AssistiveDisplaySearch (Mac)

What is AssistiveDisplaySearch

AssistiveDisplaySearch is a type of adware that targets Mac operating systems. It infiltrates the settings of macOS and installed browsers, causing unwanted browser extensions and app installs. Once it infects your Mac, it initiates changes to your browser settings, including your homepage, new tab page, and search engine. The adware then generates suspicious and intrusive ads, which can lead you to poorly secured or hazardous websites. AssistiveDisplaySearch is often distributed through app bundling, where it comes bundled with other free software you can download from the internet. The symptoms of an AssistiveDisplaySearch adware infection on a Mac can be quite noticeable and disruptive. Here are some of the most common signs that your Mac may be infected: unwanted ads, browser changes, browser redirects, slow performance. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s recommended to take immediate action to remove the adware from your system and affected browsers.

How AssistiveDisplaySearch infects Mac computers

The most common way for AssistiveDisplaySearch to infiltrate your Mac is through app bundling. Freeware or shareware from untrusted sources comes bundled with this adware, and you may not even notice the bundled app during the installation process. Clicking on malicious ads and visiting infected websites can also trigger the download and self-installation of AssistiveDisplaySearch. Remember to be cautious when installing software and always opt for custom installation to deselect any unfamiliar or unwanted software.

1. Download AssistiveDisplaySearch Removal Tool
2. Remove AssistiveDisplaySearch from Login Items
3. Remove/Uninstall AssistiveDisplaySearch from Applications
4. Remove AssistiveDisplaySearch from browsers
5. Reset browser settings
6. Remove AssistiveDisplaySearch files and folders
7. Block AssistiveDisplaySearch ads and pop-ups
8. How to protect from threats, like AssistiveDisplaySearch

Remove AssistiveDisplaySearch manually for free

Note: AssistiveDisplaySearch sets up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:

1. Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
2. Choose your account (set up as Current User).
3. Click Login Items tab.
4. Find “AssistiveDisplaySearch” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: AssistiveDisplaySearch won’t quit just by closing it, therefor use Force Quit to end the process.

1. Press 3 buttons at the same time: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). This is similar to Control-Alt-Delete on a Windows PC.
2. Choose AssistiveDisplaySearch in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full AssistiveDisplaySearch removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of AssistiveDisplaySearch installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.

Remove AssistiveDisplaySearch from Applications

Remove AssistiveDisplaySearch from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. AssistiveDisplaySearch might have an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall AssistiveDisplaySearch or AssistiveDisplaySearch Uninstaller, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
3. Otherwise, drag AssistiveDisplaySearch from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall AssistiveDisplaySearch

If you can’t uninstall AssistiveDisplaySearch using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of AssistiveDisplaySearch. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag AssistiveDisplaySearch from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with AssistiveDisplaySearch.
4. Click Delete button.

Remove AssistiveDisplaySearch add-on from your browsers

Removing AssistiveDisplaySearch from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It is a browser extension, and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove the AssistiveDisplaySearch extension from your browsers manually.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find AssistiveDisplaySearch extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find AssistiveDisplaySearch extension.
4. Click the trash can icon to remove it.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Choose AssistiveDisplaySearch extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish AssistiveDisplaySearch removal, reset your browser settings to make sure, there are no leftover items in browser folders.

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In opened window click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Remove following files and folders of AssistiveDisplaySearch


~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.AssistiveDisplaySearch.service.app
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.AssistiveDisplaySearch.service.plist
/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.AssistiveDisplaySearch.system
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.AssistiveDisplaySearch.system.plist


Download AdGuard for Mac to block malicious pop-ups, that promote AssistiveDisplaySearch

AdGuard is the best ad-blocker, internet filtering, and internet security application for macOS. It can cut out unwanted banners from site pages, block pop-ups, stop redirects, and prevent users from visiting potentially dangerous resources. Use it to stop ads promoting AssistiveDisplaySearch in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like AssistiveDisplaySearch

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time, there was no need for antivirus products for Mac. But with the growing popularity of Mac computers and notebooks and evolving technology, viruses, trojans, adware, toolbars, hijackers, and other malware paved the way for Mac users. We recommend you to use one of the best anti-malware for Mac available — Malwarebytes for Mac.

Download Malwarebytes for Mac