How to remove Custom Search extension

What is Custom Search extension

Custom Search (customsearch.info) is an unwanted browser extension combining the traits of adware and browser hijackers. The reason for that lies in its post-installation behavior – it changes the default search engine and homepage address to find.customsearch.info and also starts generating additional ads using virtual layers. Many search engines promoted by browser hijackers are fake – they are unable to provide unique and authentic search results. This is why they use legitimate engines like Google, Yahoo, or Bing to display results and earn money on illegal traffic. Adware is a type of software designed to promote various pop-ups, ads, buttons, and coupons which redirect to suspicious or even dangerous websites. Custom Search may use such capabilities to earn extra commissions on visits from affiliated websites. Although the removal of such extensions should be quite primitive, it is not always like this. Developers behind unwanted software may install additional settings preventing users from easy removal. As evidence of this, you can see a message like “Managed by your organization” or “Custom Search is controlling this setting” in the browser menu. Thus, if you are struggling to get rid of this adware-hijacker, follow our tutorial below.

How Custom Search extension infected your computer

Many unwanted apps and extensions are installed without the consent of users. As a rule, they can be spread together with other pirated, cracked, or clones of free software on unofficial websites. Users relying on third-party set-ups should be careful about “Advanced”, “Custom”, or similar settings. They are the ones responsible for inadvertent installations of promotional software. Custom Search extension, as well as other adware and browser hijackers, can be proposed as something “useful” and “legitimate” during the installation. The infection happens when users skip or agree with the installation of such software themselves. We always recommend deselecting such offers and even staying away from unofficial installers. Also, do not trust landing pages and other resources advertised through ads, links, or various buttons convincing you to download something. Better follow our guide below to explore working solutions against such threats now and in the future while using the web.

1. Download Custom Search Removal Tool
2. Remove/Uninstall Custom Search from Control Panel and Applications
3. Remove Custom Search extensions from browsers
4. Reset browser search and homepage settings
5. Block Custom Search search redirects
6. How to protect from threats like Custom Search

Remove Custom Search manually for free

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

Remove Custom Search from Control Panel or Applications

To start removing Custom Search you should uninstall it using Control Panel. It can be present by different names – “Custom Search”. 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, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac.

Remove Custom Search from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. Custom Search might have an Uninstaller.
3. Otherwise, drag Custom Search from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Remove Custom Search from Windows XP:

1. Click on Start button.
2. Choose Control Panel.
3. Click Add or Remove Programs.
4. Find Custom Search or other recently installed suspicious program.
5. Click Uninstall.

Remove Custom Search from Windows 7:

1. Click Start button.
2. Then go to Control Panel.
3. Click Uninstall a Program.
4. Find Custom Search or other recently installed suspicious program and click Uninstall.

Remove Custom Search 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 Custom Search or other recently installed suspicious program, click Uninstall.

Remove Custom Search from Windows 10:

There are 2 ways to uninstall Custom Search 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 Custom Search or other recently installed suspicious program 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 Custom Search or other recently installed suspicious program in the list.
4. Click on it and then click Uninstall button above.

Cannot uninstall Custom Search

In some cases, Custom Search won’t uninstall and gives you a message that “You do not have sufficient access to uninstall Custom Search. Please, contact your system administrator” when you try to remove it from Control Panel or “Access denied” error when removing the Custom Search folder and files. This happens because the process or service does not allow you to do it. In this case, I will recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 or Malwarebytes AntiMalware or uninstall Custom Search 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 Custom Search or other recently installed suspicious program

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

and for Mac:

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

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

Remove malicious add-ons from your browsers

Uninstalling Custom Search from Control Panel often does not bring the desired effect. It sometimes has browser extension and it may still be active in Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove Custom Search related extensions 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 Custom Search 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 Custom Search extension.
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 Custom Search extension.
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 Custom Search from Internet Explorer, please, perform instructions for uninstalling program from Control Panel. To disable Custom Search, 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 or Custom Search extension.
6. Also disable other suspicious extensions from the list.

Opera Browser:

Generally, Custom Search 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 Custom Search extension.
4. Click Uninstall button.
5. Also remove other suspicious extensions from the list.

Remove following files, folders and registry keys

Files and folders:


C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Custom Search\
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Custom Search
Custom Search.exe


Registry keys


HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Custom Search


How to block ads and pop-ups from Custom Search

Custom Search push notifications, in most cases, are caused by a program installed on your PC or add-on installed in browsers. However, sometimes it can appear on a clean computer when visiting a malicious website, using an advertising script. Also, apps that generate “Custom Search” ads and banners are themselves installed from pop-ups. To protect your PC and browsers from phishing websites, pop-up ads, banners, malicious scripts it is recommended to use AdGuard. Download free trial here:

Download AdGuard for Windows

Download AdGuard for Mac

Final tips

Be careful surfing the internet and downloading software, as programs, like Custom Search, 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 the anti-malware programs available on the market. One of the best anti-spyware and anti-malware programs is SpyHunter 5. It can protect your PC from threats, like Custom Search.