Pop-up ads, extra toolbars, and programs you never installed showing up on your computer are signs that something unwanted has sneaked in. This kind of software is often called adware or a browser hijacker. It is annoying, but you can remove it yourself.
What Is Adware?
Adware is software that shows you advertisements you did not ask for. It often installs itself when you download something else — a free game, a PDF tool, or a video player — and it hides in the “express install” options. Browser hijackers are similar; they change your homepage or search engine to one you did not choose.
Signs You May Have It
- Pop-up ads appearing even when you are not browsing the web
- Your home page changed to something unfamiliar
- Your web searches are being redirected to a different search engine
- A new toolbar appeared in your browser that you did not add
- Your browser is noticeably slower than usual
How to Remove It
Step 1: Uninstall unfamiliar programs. On Windows, go to Settings, then Apps. Look through the list for anything you do not recognise, especially things installed recently. Before you uninstall anything, search for its name to check what it does, and leave alone anything you need. Then click and uninstall anything suspicious. Once a program has been removed, it should no longer appear in that list.
Step 2: Reset your browser. A reset changes your home page and search engine back to their defaults, so write down any you want to keep. In Chrome, click the three dots in the top-right corner, then look for Settings. Scroll to the bottom and look for a reset option, which may be called Reset settings. Names and places vary by Chrome version and device, so look for a similar option if you cannot find these exact ones. Other browsers have a similar option.
Then check your extensions. A reset may turn off extensions, but it does not necessarily remove them. Open Chrome’s Extensions page (the list of installed extensions). Where this page is found can vary by version, so look for an Extensions option in the browser’s menu or settings. Before you remove an extension, check its name and make sure you do not need it. Then remove any extension you do not recognise. Once an extension is removed, it should no longer appear on that page.
Step 3: Run a security scan. Use a reputable security scanner to check for and remove adware. Find one yourself through a search, and download it only from its official website. Do not use a download button or link in an advert or pop-up. Run a scan. Read the scanner’s list before you confirm removal. If it flags a file you need, do not remove it; ask for help first. For the rest, follow the scanner’s instructions to remove them.
How to Avoid It in the Future
- When installing free software, always choose the Custom or Advanced install option and uncheck any optional add-ons.
- Download programs from official websites only, not third-party download sites.
- Be cautious about clicking “Download” buttons on web pages — some are fake ads, not real download buttons.
Stop and get professional help if ads or pop-ups keep coming back after a scan, if your settings keep changing by themselves, or if a pop-up tells you to call a phone number or pay for a ‘fix’. Do not call a number or pay anything that a pop-up asks for. Contact a trusted computer repair service or the manufacturer of your computer. On a work computer, contact your IT team instead.
Once removed, adware rarely comes back if you are careful about what you install.
Last updated: October 9, 2026