How to remove manualssearch.com from web browsers

What is manualssearch.com?

During our inspection, we found that manualssearch.com is a fake search engine promoted through an extension, a browser hijacker named Manuals Search. Typically, browser hijacking involves changing the settings within a web browser. Fake search engines and extensions promoting them can expose users to privacy and security risks. Thus, they should be avoided.

Manualssearch.com and Manuals Search browser hijacker overview

Our analysis shows that manualssearch.com does not generate results. Instead, it redirects users to bing.com (which is a legitimate search engine). It may also direct users to other websites, including untrustworthy ones. Those sites might host scams, unwanted apps, and other potentially malicious content.

Furthermore, manualssearch.com is promoted through a browser hijacker (Manuals Search), which is designed to set this URL as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. Generally, Manuals Search forces users to visit manualssearch.com when they open their browser or a new tab. It may also prevent users from removing manualssearch.com while the extension is added/present.

It is important to note that browser hijackers can collect a range of information about a user's online activity. They often monitor the websites visited, the searches performed, and the links clicked. Additionally, some hijackers may gather personal details such as the user's IP address and location. This information can be sold to third parties or misused.

Moreover, browser hijackers can consume system resources, causing the browser or even the whole device to run slowly or crash. Overall, it is highly advisable to avoid adding extensions like Manuals Search to browsers and using fake search engines like manualssearch.com.

Conclusion

In conclusion, manualssearch.com and the Manuals Search browser extension pose both privacy and security risks. They can redirect users to unsafe sites, track online activity, and degrade device performance. Users are strongly advised to avoid such extensions and stick to trusted search engines.

More examples of fake search engines are probe-portal.com, alwayssecuredsearch.com, and learnassistsearch.com.

How did Manuals Search install on my computer?

Browser hijackers are frequently installed or added without the user realizing it, often bundled with free or untrustworthy software. Hijacking usually occurs when users accept the default installation settings instead of choosing "Advanced", "Custom", or similar options that allow them to decline unwanted offers.

Unwanted applications and browser extensions can also be distributed through deceptive ads, notifications from untrustworthy websites, as well as via third-party downloaders, unofficial app stores, peer-to-peer networks, and other dubious channels.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Be careful when browsing - avoid clicking on ads, pop-ups, or links encountered while visiting questionable websites. Only download software from official websites or trusted app stores, and review installation options carefully to prevent unwanted programs from being added or installed.

Keep your operating system and applications up to date, and use reputable antivirus or anti-malware tools to scan your device for potential threats regularly. If your computer is already infected with Manuals Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Manualssearch.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by Manuals Search browser hijacker:

Website promoting Manuals Search browser hijacker:

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Quick menu:

• What is manualssearch.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Manuals Search application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Manuals Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove manualssearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove manualssearch.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Manuals Search browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the manualssearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Manuals Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Manuals Search" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Manuals Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.manualssearch.com) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "manualssearch.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the manuals search browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Manuals Search", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Manuals Search", remove hxxp://manualssearch.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with manuals search browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the manuals search browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users visit manualssearch.com website?

The purpose of forcing users to visit manualssearch.com is primarily to drive traffic to the site, which can then be monetized. Higher visitor numbers allow the site operators to earn revenue through ads, sponsored content, affiliate links, or other methods.

Is visiting manualssearch.com a threat to my privacy?

The site may collect various information, including the websites users visit, searches they perform, and links they click. It may also collect personal information such as your IP address and location. This data can be misused or sold, potentially leading to privacy issues.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are usually bundled with free or unreliable software. They get added or installed when users accept default installation settings. Hijackers can also spread through misleading ads, suspicious notifications, third-party downloaders, unofficial app stores, and similar ways.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Manuals Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan your system and remove existing browser hijackers. Manual removal is not always fully effective, as multiple hijackers can be present and may reinstall themselves, so all hijackers need to be removed simultaneously.