How to Remove CreativeSearch Browser Hijacker?

What is CreativeSearch?

CreativeSearch is a browser hijacker that changes the web browser settings by adding extensions and changing the homepage and search engine. This browser hijacker can be classified as an adware because its purpose is to display ads on the CreativeSearch search engine results page.

What does CreativeSearch do?

• The CreativeSearch virus hijacks your browser by changing the search engine to an unfamiliar search tool and adding a new homepage as well. When users enter a query into the search field of a hijacked browser, the search results always display sponsored links and irrelevant ads.
• This browser hijacker redirects search queries through the CreativeSearch Search, which will redirect to search result pages from search.yahoo.com.
• CreativeSearch displays invasive ads and monitors the user’s web browsing behavior for enhanced ad targeting purposes.
• Like all adware, CreativeSearch could redirect you to an infected website via ads and sponsored links. These infected websites can expose your device to ransomware, spyware, and other dangerous viruses.

How Did CreativeSearch Install on My Computer?

Users install CreativeSearch when they download and install freeware from unverified sources. Fake Adobe Flash Player update prompts are other popular sources of the CreativeSearch adware. Users also encounter these false alerts on a variety of adware-ridden websites.

How to Remove CreativeSearch

We have provided our CreativeSearch removal instructions below:

Use the Auslogics Anti-Malware program.

The first step of the removal operation involves scanning your device for infected files and processes. First, you need a powerful anti-malware program capable of eliminating adware and browser hijackers. We recommend downloading and installing the Auslogics Anti-Malware software. This anti-malware protects your device from all types of malware and data safety threats. Follow the steps below to eliminate CreativeSearch using the anti-malware software program.

1. Click on the link above to visit the Auslogics anti-malware download page.
2. Click on the download button on the landing page to download a free version of the software.
3. Open the downloaded file to launch the program, and allow the software to make changes to your computer.
4. Follow the instructions displayed on the installation wizard window.
5. Once the installation is complete, click Finish to open the anti-malware app.
6. The program’s malware database will update itself for a few minutes.
7. Go to the Scanners tab and select Deep Scan. Then click on the Start scan button.
   The anti-malware software will check your system’s memory for malicious programs (including programs linked with CreativeSearch). It will also detect cookies and browser extensions that track your activity and collect your data.
8. Follow the recommendations given by the anti-malware program.
9. When the threats are neutralized, reboot your device in safe mode with networking and perform the next fix.

Remove suspicious programs through Control Panel.

Here is how to reboot into Safe Mode on Windows 10/11:

1. Press and hold the SHIFT key, click the Power icon, and then Restart.
2. Windows will show an options menu, follow this path.
   Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings> Restart
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking by pressing five or the F5 key on your keyboard.
   Windows will now boot into safe mode with networking.
   Now to remove suspicious programs, do this:
4. Right-click on the Windows icon to open the quick access menu.
5. Click on Programs and Features
6. Double-click on any suspicious (recently installed) program to uninstall it.
7. After uninstalling these programs, scan your computer with the anti-malware program once again to check for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove CreativeSearch from web browsers.

Now, you have to uninstall the CreativeSearch extensions and undo the changes to your previous browser settings. We will describe how to go through this procedure for some browsers:

Google Chrome:

1. Click on the Chrome menu icon (three dots) on the top right part of Chrome browser.
2. Navigate to more tools, and then click on Extensions.
3. Find CreativeSearch other suspicious browser extensions and remove them.
4. Click on the Chrome menu icon and select Settings.
5. Click On startup (last option on the left section of the settings tab).
6. Under Open a specific page or set of pages, you will see the malware’s URL.
7. Click on the three dots, and then select Remove.
8. Add a new home page of your choice.
9. Go back to the main settings tab, and follow this path: Search engine > Manage search engines
10. Identify the unwanted search engines and then click on the three dots near their URLs.
11. Click on Remove from list.

If the procedures described above fail, you can reset your Chrome browser. Here is how to do that:

On the Chrome settings page, follow this path:

Advanced > Reset and clean up > Restore settings to their original defaults > Reset settings

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge browser and click on the Edge menu icon.
• Click on Extensions.
• Identify any suspicious browser extensions and remove them.
• Now, click on the Edge menu icon and select Settings.
• Under the on-startup tab, locate the browser hijacker and click Disable.
  To change the search engine in Microsoft Edge, do this:
• Click the Microsoft Edge menu icon and select privacy and services > Address bar > Search engines used in the address bar section.
• Locate CreativeSearch and click the Disable button.

Mozilla Firefox

• Open Firefox browser application
• Click the Firefox menu icon and select Add-ons > Extensions
• Remove the CreativeSearch extension.
• Now, to change your default search engine, type about:config into the URL bar and press Enter.
• Click I’ll be careful, I promise!
• Enter extensionControlled into the search field on the advanced preferences tab.
• Click the Mozilla Firefox switch button to change the value of each result to false.

Clear the registry of malicious entries.

Most malware, especially Trojans, browser hijackers, and adware can make changes to the Windows registry. These malicious programs usually add various registry entries, generate new keys, and modify default values. Thus, it is crucial to remove these malicious registry entries so you can quickly uncover and eliminate deeply rooted malware.

Invalid registry entries may decrease your PC’s performance output as well.

TIP: Manually clearing the windows registry is risky, as you might end up deleting essential registry entries. You can perform this fix more effectively and safely by running the Auslogics Registry Cleaner. This Registry cleaner software will automatically remove malicious entries in your system’s registry.