How to remove TabGuides (Mac)

What is TabGuides

TabGuides is an adware application that specifically targets Mac users, delivering intrusive advertisements and potentially leading them to dubious websites. This unwanted software can manifest in various forms, including pop-ups, banners, and in-text ads, all designed to promote unreliable products or services. Often bundled with free software, users may inadvertently install TabGuides by not carefully reviewing installation options. Once active, it can collect sensitive data, such as browsing habits and personal information, which poses privacy risks. Additionally, TabGuides can degrade system performance, causing devices to run slower than usual. Removing this adware is crucial to maintaining a secure and efficient computing environment. Users are advised to employ reliable antivirus solutions, such as Combo Cleaner, to ensure thorough removal of TabGuides and any associated threats.

How TabGuides infects Mac computers

TabGuides typically infects Mac systems through deceptive methods often associated with adware distribution. Users inadvertently install TabGuides when they download free software from untrustworthy sources, as adware is frequently bundled with these applications. During the installation process, users may overlook the option to decline the installation of unwanted programs, allowing TabGuides to infiltrate their system. Additionally, users may encounter misleading advertisements or pop-ups that encourage them to click on malicious links, further facilitating the adware’s entry. Once installed, TabGuides can modify browser settings and generate intrusive ads, leading to a compromised user experience and potential privacy risks. To avoid such infections, it is crucial for users to be vigilant during software installations and to source applications from reputable providers.

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

Remove TabGuides manually for free

Note: TabGuides 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 “TabGuides” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: TabGuides 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 TabGuides in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

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

Remove TabGuides from Applications

Remove TabGuides from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall TabGuides

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

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

Remove TabGuides add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish TabGuides 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 the 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 TabGuides


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


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

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 TabGuides in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like TabGuides

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