How to remove Qsearch.pw (Mac)

What is Qsearch.pw

Qsearch.pw is an unpleasant browser search redirect related to Searchmine browser hijacker. It manifests itself in Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox by modifying default search engine and homepage settings. Malware takes control over these settings, as well as new tab settings, with help of QSearch extension or application of the same name. In many cases, the problem can be solved by removing the unwanted app, however, it is, often, hidden from users and has many leftover items in system folders. That is why we recommend you to use special anti-malware tools for Mac offered below. Qsearch.pw is not a virus or worm, it acts more like adware, by providing undesired search results, filled with ads, sponsored links, etc. Hijacker poses a threat to your privacy and computer security, as it collects search history, gets access to the browser’s data, and shares it with third-parties. Follow a few easy steps below to remove Qsearch.pw from your browsers completely.

How Qsearch.pw infected your Mac

Qsearch.pw is distributed as a “bundled installation” along with fake Adobe Flash Player or Java installers. It installs “QSearch” or “SearchMine” extension or app to alter browser settings. It may also install the so-called “malicious device profile” on Mac – a certain set of commands to maintain Qsearch.pw as the default search. In this article, we provide all necessary instructions to remove Qsearch.pw and restore the default state of your browser.

Remove Qsearch.pw manually for free

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

Important update: Qsearch.pw hijacker installs a malicious Device Profile called AdminPrefs on MacOS, that won’t allow users to make changes to browser search engine and homepage settings. Follow instructions below to remove this profile.

Remove Qsearch.pw profile

1. Go to System Preferences and click on Profiles.
2. In the list of profiles on the left side, choose AdminPrefs and click on “-” button to remove it.
3. In your case it can be named differently, in this case remove all visible profiles. Check the picture below to see how it looks like.

Remove Qsearch.pw from Applications

Remove Qsearch.pw from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall Qsearch.pw

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

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

Remove Qsearch.pw add-on from your browsers

Removing QSearch 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 QSearch 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 QSearch 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 QSearch 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 QSearch extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish Qsearch.pw 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 Qsearch.pw


~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.Qsearch.plist
~/Library/Safari/Extensions/Qsearch.safariextz
~/Library/Application Support/ProApps


How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like Qsearch.pw

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.