How to Remove MyWebSearch (Uninstall Guide)

 

If you have MyWebSearch Toolbar, MySearchDial, or My Way Speedbar (it's the same software) installed, chances are you've tried to remove it only to realize that it didn't fully uninstall.

MyWebSearch is a pesky software that takes several steps to remove. You may have initially been interested in the software because it came with free things such as emoticons and smileys. However, if you've made it to this article, you already know that you just need it to be completely removed from your computer. This is likely because it slows down your computer, installs tracking cookies, and your anti-malware software considers it to be spyware.

The Vundo Trojan horse virus is also related to MyWebSearch. Many computer users with the MyWebSearch Toolbar installed have also found their systems to be infected with the Vundo Trojan.

Uninstalling MyWebSearch

First, you'll want to remove the program using "Add or Remove Programs." If you have already done so, skip ahead to Step 2; otherwise, continue with this step.

1. Click "Start"
2. Click "Control Panel"
3. Click "Add or Remove Programs." It may take a little while for the list of programs on your computer to show up.
4. Scroll down the list to "My Web Search." As this software is notorious for having multiple names, you'll want to keep an eye out for ones called "My Way Search Assistant" or "My Way Speedbar."
5. Click the title of the program you would like to uninstall and then click "Remove."
6. A window should pop up saying, "Are you sure you want to uninstall My Web Search?" You'll want to go ahead and click "Yes" or "Okay."

Delete MyWebSearch Directories

After uninstalling the software, you should make sure it's completely gone. There are a few extra steps you can take in order to make sure you've totally removed MyWebSearch from your computer. MyWebSearch doesn't always fully uninstall when you tell your computer to get rid of it. Because of this, you'll have to manually remove the remaining parts of the program.

1. Hit the Windows Key + R on your keyboard, and the "Run" window will pop up.
2. In this window, you'll want to type the following: c://
3. Click "Ok." Another window should pop up.
4. You'll want to double-click on the folder called "Program Files."
5. Once in the Program Files folder, you'll want to look for any folders called "MyWebSearch", "My Way Search Assistant", or "My Way Speedbar." Right-click on these folders and select "Delete."

Did you know MyWebSearch offered programs such as Smiley Central and Zwinky. These all came with the MyWebSearch Toolbar and are considered to be spyware. The Vundo trojan horse virus is also related to MyWebSearch.

Remove MyWebSearch from the Windows Registry

In this step, you'll be deleting registry keys, so it's important to back up your registry.

1. Hit Windows Key + R so that the "Run" window is open again.
2. Type the following: Regedit
3. Click "Ok" You are now in the Registry Editor.
4. Click the plus sign by the folder called "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE". Then click the plus next to the folder called SOFTWARE. In this folder, look for a folder that has "MyWebSearch" in the name.
5. Right-click the "MyWebSearch" folder and delete it.
6. Open the Microsoft folder (this is contained in the Software folder.) If you see anything that says "MyWebSearch" in the Microsoft folder, delete it.
7. While still in the Microsoft folder, you should find a folder called CurrentVersion. Click the plus sign by that folder and inside the CurrentVersion folder, look for another folder called Run. Click the folder once. On the right, some files will be listed. If you see a file that has "MyWebSearch" in the name, delete it.
8. You can now exit the Registry Editor.

Get Rid of MyWebSearch Browser Toolbars

One of the first signs you may have noticed about MyWebSearch is that it has replaced your browser's search bar with its own search engine. Also, instead of your favorite home page loading when you open your browser, you're greeted with a MyWebSearch. The change to the search bar and to the browser's home page are the peskiest things about this malware!

You might not even have the software installed and still have your browser settings changed!

Before making changes to your browser, follow the above steps. Once MyWebSearch is gone (or you've confirmed it's not actually installed), go to your browser's "add-ons" section and make sure it's not installed there. You'll have to manually change your browser's homepage through your browser's "settings" section.

If your browser has a built-in search bar, right-click on the icon next to the bar to change the search engine.

Remove Additional Spyware

I highly recommend running spyware-removal software afterward in order to get anything you may have missed.

After your spyware scan comes back and you've cleaned everything up, go ahead and restart your computer. Then that's it, you're all done! If you don't have any spyware-removal software, there are many great ones you can get for free.