How to remove Default-search.net

What is Default-search.net

Default-search.net website and search engine is distributed via browser hijackers in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. It was created by Linkey Inc. Purpose of a fraudulent scheme is to set up this site as default homepage and search engine and compel users to utilize it and earn on clicks on advertisements. Default-search.net redirects user queries to search.yahoo.com, however it may collect private browser data and sell it to third parties. Besides, redirect destination is controlled by the developers and can be changed anytime. We recommend you to remove Default-search.net from browsers and restore settings to default values.

How Default-search.net infected your PC

Default-search.net is usually bundled with free programs that users download from the Internet. Unfortunately, most of such downloads do not adequately disclose all the consequences and that other software will also be installed. Regular antivirus programs cannot effectively remove Default-search.net or prevent such infection. There are few programs that can fully remove this hijacker, among them SpyHunter 5 and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Download Removal Tool

To remove Default-search.net completely we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 from EnigmaSoft Limited. It detects and removes all files, folders and registry keys of Default-search.net and several millions of other adware, hijackers, toolbars.

Remove Default-search.net manually for free

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

Remove Default-search.net from Control Panel

To start removing Default-search.net you should uninstall it using Control Panel. It can be present by different names – “Default-search.net” or “Default-search uninstall”. It should uninstall correctly, however, we recommend you to use IObit Uninstaller to clean leftover items after uninstalling. Here are instructions for Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Remove Default-search.net from Windows XP:

1. Click on Start button.
2. Choose Control Panel.
3. Click Add or Remove Programs.
4. Find Default-search.net.
5. Click Uninstall.

Remove Default-search.net from Windows 7:

1. Click Start button.
2. Then go to Control Panel.
3. Click Uninstall a Program.
4. Find Default-search.net and click Uninstall.

Remove Default-search.net from Windows 8:

1. Hover mouse pointer to the bottom-right corner to see Menu.
2. Click Search.
3. After that click Apps.
4. Then Control Panel.
5. Click Uninstall a Program under Programs.
6. Find Default-search.net, click Uninstall.

Remove Default-search.net from Windows 10:

There are 2 ways to uninstall Default-search.net from Windows 10

Way one

1. Click on the Start button.
2. In opened menu choose Settings.
3. Click on the System tile.
4. Click Apps & features and locate Default-search.net in the list.
5. Click on it and then click Uninstall button near it.

Way two (classic)

1. Right-click on the Start button.
2. In opened menu choose Programs and Features.
3. Locate Default-search.net in the list.
4. Click on it and then click Uninstall button above.

Cannot uninstall Default-search.net

In some cases Default-search.net won’t uninstall and gives you message that “You do not have sufficient access to uninstall Default-search.net. Please, contact your system administrator” when you try to remove it from Control Panel or “Access denied” error when removing Default-search.net folder and files. This happens, because process or service does not allow you to do it. In this case I will recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 or Malwarebytes or uninstall Default-search.net in Safe Mode. To boot in Safe Mode do the following:

1. Reboot your computer.
2. While it starts booting press F8 button.
3. This will open Advanced Boot Options menu.
4. Choose Safe Mode and wait until Windows loads.
5. Go to Control Panel > Uninstall a program and remove “Default-search.net”

>> See detailed instructions and video tutorial on how to boot in Safe Mode

Remove malicious add-ons from your browsers

Uninstalling Default-search.net from Control Panel often does not bring desired effect. It sometimes have browser extension and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove Default-search.net related extension from your browsers manually.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions/.
3. Find Default-search.net.
4. Click the trash can icon to remove them.
5. Also remove other suspicious extensions from the list.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Choose Default-search.net.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.
5. Remove all suspicious extensions from the list.

Internet Explorer (9, 10, 11):

Note: There is no feature to remove browser extensions from browser in latest version of Internet Explorer. To remove Default-search.net from Internet Explorer, please, perform instructions for uninstalling program from Control Panel. To disable Default-search.net, please, do the following:

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click on gear/asterisk icon in the top-right corner.
3. In opened menu Manage Add-ons.
4. Select Toolbars and Extensions.
5. Click Disable Default-search.net.
6. Also disable other suspicious extensions from the list.

Opera Browser:

Generally, Default-search.net does not install in Opera browser however you can always double check. Do the following:

1. Start Opera browser.
2. Go to Tools > Extensions > Manage Extensions.
3. Find Default-search.net extension.
4. Click Uninstall button.
5. Also remove other suspicious extensions from the list.

Reset browsers settings (homepage, default search)

Default-search.net installs search engine that hijacks your browsers. Here is instruction to reset your browsers homepage, newtab and search engine to default values.

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 browser settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Mozilla Firefox:

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

Internet Explorer (9, 10, 11):

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. Click on gear/asterisk icon in the top-right corner.
3. In opened menu choose Internet options.
4. Click Advanced tab.
5. Click Reset button.
6. Choose Delete personal settings and click Reset.

Opera Browser:

1. Close Opera and open command prompt from the start menu.
2. Type following command del %AppData%\Opera\Opera\operaprefs.ini
3. Start Opera.

Alternative way to remove adware browser extensions and reset browser settings

For safe and effective browser extension removal use avast! Browser Cleanup utility. Run it with administrator privileges and remove all extensions with bad rating including related to Default-search.net. You can also reset your browser settings for each of your browsers: Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox.

Cleaning browsers shortcuts

You can clean your browser shortcuts manually right-clicking on your browser icon, choosing “Properties” and removing hijacker address from “Target” field (leave just the path to your browser). However it is easier to use free Shortcut Cleaner from BleepingComputer. Download it here – its FREE:

Final tips

Be careful surfing the internet and downloading software, as programs like Default-search.net may become a real headache as they are hard to remove and break your privacy. To keep safe from such threats we recommend you always use antivirus and one of antimalware programs available on the market. One of the best anti-spyware and antimalware programs is SpyHunter 5. It can protect your PC from threats like Default-search.net.