How to remove Web-start.org

What is Web-start.org

Web-start.org is another malicious search engine from the series of hijackers for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. This threat replaces default settings in this browsers, such as homepage, search engine and new tab and redirects search requests to plusnetwork.com. This website is related to Messenger Plus! software and notorious Reimage Repair. One of the tricks this hijacker does, is that its URL is written into browser shortcut properties. Due to this fact, browsers always start with web-start.org opened in the new tab. This search can be dangerous as it transmits private data it gains from users to advertisers and promotes low-quality services and goods. This article aims to help you remove Web-start.org from browsers and reset browser settings using few simple steps and tools.

How Web-start.org infected your PC

Web-start.org gets on your PC inside the installers of freeware programs you install. Such hijackers are the way to monetize free utilities for developers. There are certain types of programs in the risk zone: downloaders, converters, zip-archivers, media players, torrent clients, free text and image editors. You should be careful installing this kind of programs. Also, keep caution when downloading something from software portals like CNET, Softpedia, Softonic etc. This sites often bundle potentially unwanted programs with good software. Use SpyHunter 5 to detect and remove bundled installations.

Download Removal Tool

Download Removal Tool

To remove Web-start.org completely we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5. It detects and removes all files, folders and registry keys of Web-start.org and several millions of other adware, hijackers, toolbars.

Remove Web-start.org manually for free

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

Remove Web-start.org from Control Panel

To start removing Web-start.org you should uninstall it using Control Panel. It can be present by different names – “Webstarts Uninstall” or just “Web-start.org”. 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 Web-start.org from Windows XP:

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

Remove Web-start.org from Windows 7:

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

Remove Web-start.org 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 Web-start Uninstall, click Uninstall.

Remove Web-start.org from Windows 10:

There are 2 ways to uninstall Web-start.org 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 Web-start Uninstall 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 Webstarts Uninstall in the list.
4. Click on it and then click Uninstall button above.

Cannot uninstall Web-start.org

In some cases Web-start.org won’t uninstall and gives you message that “You do not have sufficient access to uninstall Web-start.org. Please, contact your system administrator” when you try to remove it from Control Panel or “Access denied” error when removing Web-start.org 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 Web-start.org 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 “Web-start Uninstall”

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

Remove malicious add-ons from your browsers

Uninstalling Web-start.org 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 Web-start.org 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 suspicious extensions.
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 suspicious 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 Web-start.org from Internet Explorer, please, perform instructions for uninstalling program from Control Panel. To disable Web-start.org, 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 Web-start.org.
6. Also disable other suspicious extensions from the list.

Opera Browser:

Generally, Web-start.org 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 Web-start.org extension.
4. Click Uninstall button.
5. Also remove other suspicious extensions from the list.

Reset browsers settings (homepage, default search)

Web-start.org 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 Web-start.org. You can also reset your browser settings for each of your browsers: Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox.

Download Avast Browser Cleanup

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:

Download Shortcut Cleaner

Final tips

Be careful surfing the internet and downloading software, as programs like Web-start.org 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 Web-start.org.