Uninstalling the Ask Toolbar from Chrome: A Comprehensive Guide
The Ask Toolbar, once a ubiquitous presence on the internet, has become increasingly seen as intrusive and unwanted by many users. While it might have offered a search experience in the past, its tendency to bundle itself with other software and alter browser settings without explicit consent has made it a nuisance for many. If you’ve found yourself saddled with the Ask Toolbar on your Google Chrome browser, don’t worry. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to remove it and restore your browser to its optimal state.
Understanding the Ask Toolbar
Before diving into the removal process, it’s helpful to understand why the Ask Toolbar is so problematic. It’s often installed alongside other programs, frequently without a clear indication during the installation process. This bundled software tactic, known as “potentially unwanted programs” (PUPs), can lead to:
- Browser Hijacking: The Ask Toolbar can change your default search engine and homepage without your permission, redirecting your searches and browsing activity through their services.
- Toolbar Clutter: It adds an extra toolbar to your browser, taking up valuable screen space and potentially slowing down your browsing experience.
- Privacy Concerns: Some users are wary of the Ask Toolbar because of its data collection practices, though it should be noted they have updated these policies over time.
- Difficulty in Removal: It’s not always easy to uninstall the Ask Toolbar. It often requires multiple steps to fully eliminate it from your system.
Given these issues, removing the Ask Toolbar is often the best course of action. Let’s explore the various methods you can use.
Method 1: Uninstalling Through Windows Settings (Recommended)
The most straightforward way to remove the Ask Toolbar is through the Windows settings. This method targets the software itself, effectively removing the core program files.
Close Google Chrome: Before beginning, make sure that Google Chrome is completely closed. If you have multiple Chrome windows or instances open, close them all. You can verify this using the Windows Task Manager by searching for any chrome.exe processes and ending them.
Open Windows Settings: Click on the Windows start button, usually located at the bottom left corner of your screen. Then, click on the gear icon to access Windows Settings.
Navigate to Apps: In Windows Settings, click on the “Apps” option. This will take you to a list of all installed applications.
Find and Uninstall Ask Toolbar: Scroll through the list of apps until you find any entries related to “Ask Toolbar”, “Ask Search”, or any programs bearing the “Ask” name. Once you find them click on the entry and then the “Uninstall” button and proceed through the on screen instructions. You might need to confirm that you wish to remove the software.
Repeat this for any and all entries related to ask.
Restart Your Computer: Once the uninstallation process is complete, restart your computer. This ensures that all changes are fully applied and any residual files are cleared.
After restarting your computer, check if the Ask Toolbar is still present in your browser. If it’s gone, you’re good to go. However, if the Ask Toolbar’s changes persist, move on to the next method.
Method 2: Resetting Chrome Settings (If the Toolbar Still Persists)
Even after uninstalling the Ask Toolbar software, your browser settings might still be affected. This is where resetting your Chrome settings comes into play.
Open Google Chrome: Launch your Google Chrome browser.
Access Chrome Settings: Click on the three vertical dots (Menu icon) in the upper-right corner of the browser window. From the dropdown menu, select “Settings”.
Navigate to Advanced Settings: Scroll to the bottom of the Settings page and click on “Advanced”.
Find the Reset Settings Option: Scroll down further until you find the “Reset settings” section. Click on “Restore settings to their original defaults”.
Confirm Reset: A confirmation dialog will appear, explaining that this will reset your browser settings. Click on “Reset settings” to proceed. This will reset Chrome’s settings to factory default, including your homepage, default search engine, and any installed extensions.
Warning: This process will remove any custom changes you’ve made to your browser settings. However, this is necessary to fully remove the Ask Toolbar’s alterations.
After resetting the browser, you should be able to browse without any sign of the Ask Toolbar. If it still persists, move on to the next method.
Method 3: Removing Ask Toolbar Extensions (If Applicable)
The Ask Toolbar sometimes installs extensions within Chrome that can maintain its functionality. These extensions might need to be removed individually.
Open Google Chrome: Launch your Google Chrome browser.
Access Extensions: Type `chrome://extensions` into your address bar and press Enter. This will open the Extensions page.
Identify Ask Toolbar Extensions: Look for any extensions that have “Ask”, “Ask Toolbar”, or related names in their title or description. Other common problematic extensions to watch for include conduit or Bandoo.
Remove Extensions: For each identified extension, click on the “Remove” button next to it. Confirm the removal when prompted.
Restart Your Browser: After removing the extensions, restart your Chrome browser.
Check if the Ask Toolbar is now gone. If you continue to see traces of it, there’s one more step you can take.
Method 4: Checking for Suspicious Programs with Malware Removal Tools
In some cases, the Ask Toolbar might be bundled with other adware or potentially unwanted programs. You should use specialized malware removal tools to ensure your system is free of these hidden threats. Here are some recommended tools:
- Malwarebytes: A popular and effective tool for scanning and removing malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. You can download it from their official website and follow their instructions to scan and clean your computer. It is available in both free and paid versions, both which work well for this purpose.
- AdwCleaner: Specifically designed to remove adware and browser hijackers, this is a free tool from Malwarebytes that is designed to help with exactly this type of removal.
- HitmanPro: Another powerful malware removal tool that offers a free trial. It’s great for deep cleaning and finding hidden malware.
- Windows Security (Formerly Windows Defender): Windows comes with built-in security software that may also detect and remove harmful software. Make sure to run a full scan of your machine to make sure it is clean.
How to Use These Tools:
Download and Install: Download the tool of your choice from its official website and install it on your computer.
Run a Full System Scan: Launch the tool and run a complete system scan. This process may take some time depending on the size of your hard drive. Follow any prompts the tool gives you to allow it to find and then remove the malicious content.
Remove Detected Threats: If the tool finds any malware or suspicious programs, follow the prompts to remove or quarantine them.
Restart Your Computer: After the removal process, restart your computer. This ensures all changes take full effect.
After using these tools, your system should be clean, and the Ask Toolbar and its effects should be completely removed from your Chrome browser. If it still persists then it may be worth seeking professional help, or doing a full system reinstall, though this is a rare necessity.
Preventing Future Infections
Now that you’ve successfully removed the Ask Toolbar, it’s important to take steps to avoid future infections. Here are some tips to keep your system and browser clean:
- Download Software from Official Sources: Always download software directly from the developer’s website or from trusted app stores. Avoid downloading software from third-party websites that bundle programs with adware or PUPs.
- Be Careful During Installation: Always pay close attention to each step of the installation process. Read all terms and conditions, and uncheck any checkboxes that offer bundled software you don’t want. Be wary of “Express” installations as these may try to install unwanted apps.
- Use Reliable Antivirus Software: Invest in a reputable antivirus program and keep it updated. This software will help detect and block threats before they can infect your system.
- Enable Browser Security Features: Enable Chrome’s built-in safe browsing features to block malicious websites and downloads.
- Keep Your Software Up-to-Date: Regularly update your operating system, browser, and other software to patch security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware.
- Use an Ad Blocker: Consider using a reputable ad blocker plugin in your Chrome browser. Many websites will trick you into clicking links, buttons or download prompts that contain malware or other malicious software.
Conclusion
Removing the Ask Toolbar from Google Chrome can be a bit of a nuisance, but by following the steps in this guide, you can effectively restore your browser to its original state. Remember to be vigilant about what software you install and where you download it from. By taking preventative measures, you can keep your system secure and avoid future issues with unwanted software. If you are not able to remove this software using these instructions, you may wish to consult an IT professional.
If you have any questions or run into issues during the removal process feel free to leave a comment below, we will be happy to help!