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How to remove Searchqu Toolbar from the system

Also Known As: Searchnu.com Redirect
Damage level: Moderate

What is Searchqu?

Searchqu Toolbar is a browser add-on, which adds various social network shortcuts and other buttons to your Internet browsers. Some computer users may find these shortcuts useful, but Searchqu toolbar can be categorized as an unwanted program due to its deceptive methods of installation and lack of full uninstall procedures.

When installed on your computer, this toolbar will change your default homepage to searchnu.com in all of your browsers (for example, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Google Chrome).

Searchqu Toolbar

More about Searchqu

After uninstalling Searchqu toolbar from your operating system Control Panel, your homepage URL will remain searchnu.com To completely remove this toolbar from your Internet browser, manual removal steps are required.

This browser add-on is not malware or a computer virus, and PC users often install this toolbar inadvertently when not paying attention to software installation windows. Searchqu toolbar is regularly bundled with free software (for example, jZip, etc.), and if you do study the information presented during the installation process, you will install this toolbar on your Internet browsers.

Whilst most free software states that it is 'adware free', they should be installed with caution, since free software developers commonly monetize their programs using browser add-ons.

When installed on your computer, searchqu toolbar will set searchnu.com as your browser's starting page. This website has a search engine powered by Google, but frequently displays unrelated search results in sponsored results tabs.

If you have not intentionally installed searchqu toolbar or you have done so inadvertently, you can use the removal guide provided to eliminate this browser add-on and reset your homepage URL.

Threat Summary:
Name Searchqu Toolbar
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s) Searchqu
Supposed Functionality Improved browsing experience
Promoted URL searchnu.com
Detection Names (searchnu.com) N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (pavadinimas) 69.16.230.228
Affected Browser Settings Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers.
Damage Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.
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Quick menu:

Searchqu Toolbar removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

searchqu toolbar uninstall

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Searchqu Toolbar", select this entry and click " Uninstall" or "Remove"

After uninstalling Searchqu Toolbar, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. Use recommended malware removal software.

Searchqu Toolbar removal from browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Uninstalling Searchqu Toolbar alone is not adequate; remove the remaining unwanted components from your Internet browsers manually.

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

searchqu toolbar internet explorerClick on the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". Look for Bandoo Media related entries (Searchqu Toolbar, DataMngr) and disable them.

After removing the add-ons, change your homepage from searchnu.com to your preferred domain - Click on the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove searchnu.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchnu.com redirect, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

searchnu.com google chrome

To change your homepage from searchnu.com to your preferred domain, click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, click "set pages", hover your mouse over searchnu.com and click the x symbol.

Now you can add your preferred website as your homepage.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchnu.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

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

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

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

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

searchnu.com firefox

To reset your homepage click on the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window) then select "Options", and in the opened window, remove searchnu.com and enter your preferred domain.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with searchnu.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

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

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

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

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

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

removing browser hijacker from safari step 2 - removing extensions

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

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 3 - changing homepage

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.

removing browser hijackers from safari step 4 - changing the default Internet search engine

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...

resetting safari step 1

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

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 2

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 3

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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 Microsoft Edge (Chromium) puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

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

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

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

Manual Searchqu Toolbar removal:

If you were unable to remove Searchqu Toolbar using the steps above, you can use this manual removal instruction. Use it at your own risk, since if you do not have strong computer knowledge, you could harm your operating system.

Be careful and use it only if you are an experienced computer user. (Instructions on how to end processes, remove registry entries...)

Remove these Searchqu Toolbar registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{A40DC6C5-79D0-4ca8-A185-8FF989AF1115} "UrlHelper Class"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\SearchQUIEHelper.DNSGuard\CurVer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\SearchQUIEHelper.DNSGuard
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\SearchQUIEHelper.DNSGuard.1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar "Searchqu Toolbar"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{99079a25-328f-4bd4-be04-00955acaa0a7} "Searchqu Toolbar"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{99079a25-328f-4bd4-be04-00955acaa0a7}\InprocServer32 "C:\PROGRA~1\WINDOW~4\ToolBar\searchqudtx.dll"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{99079a25-328f-4bd4-be04-00955acaa0a7} "Searchqu Toolbar"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{A40DC6C5-79D0-4ca8-A185-8FF989AF1115}\VersionIndependentProgID "SearchQUIEHelper.UrlHelper"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{A40DC6C5-79D0-4ca8-A185-8FF989AF1115}\ProgID "SearchQUIEHelper.UrlHelper.1"

Delete these Searchqu Toolbar files:

%Temp%\searchqutoolbar-manifest.xml    
%AppData%\searchqutoolbar\    
%AppData%\searchqutoolbar\dtx.ini
%AppData%\searchqutoolbar\guid.dat
%AppData%\searchqutoolbar\log.txt
%AppData%\searchqutoolbar\preferences.dat
%AppData%\searchqutoolbar\stat.log
%AppData%\searchqutoolbar\stats.dat
%AppData%\searchqutoolbar\uninstallIE.dat
%AppData%\searchqutoolbar\version.xml

Summary:

declining installation of browser hijackers while downloading free software sampleA 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on searchnu.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

The goal may include generating traffic for the website, increasing ad revenue for the attackers, or promoting certain products or services.

Is visiting searchnu.com a threat to my privacy?

Yes, visiting searchnu.com, especially if it is associated with a browser hijacking, can pose a threat to your privacy. Browser hijackers may collect and misuse your browsing data, potentially compromising your online privacy and security.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Your computer was probably compromised by a browser hijacker or a toolbar using deceptive tactics like bundled software installations, fake updates, malicious links, misleading advertisements, or dubious websites.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Searchqu Toolbar?

Certainly, Combo Cleaner will conduct a thorough scan of your computer to remove any existing browser-hijacking applications. It is important to understand that relying solely on manual removal may not be foolproof, especially in situations where multiple browser hijackers are present and they can reinstall each other. Hence, removing all of them at once is crucial for a comprehensive solution.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Searchnu.com Redirect QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Searchnu.com Redirect on your mobile device.
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