Hi does anyone know how to remove the annoying Ask toolbar on my browser? The removal programme they give doesn't work.
Ask toolbar
(23 posts) (9 voices)-
Posted 14 years ago #
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Hm, I recall that one annoying me for awhile, but I somehow got it to quit showing up. But upon checking just now, I realized it was still on my computer. So I went into Program Files and looked for the folder and deleted each sub-folder one by one, then the main one. Also, BuBBy recently mentioned an great free program for getting rid of stubborn programs: Revo Uninstaller. His link is on here somewhere... perhaps do a search for it, or just google it. Just be careful when it goes into the registry and you have to okay what it deletes. But after I manually deleted my folders, it didn't show up anymore in Revo Uninstaller. Boy! What a long-winded answer! *&:-o
Posted 14 years ago # -
Revo is indeed a good or the best choice, try the Hunter Mode. However, like midori mentioned, act carefully then you can't do many mistakes, "Because Revo Uninstaller automatically creates a system restore point before uninstalling an application, you can use Windows System Restore to restore your system to a previous state".
http://www.revouninstaller.com/index.htmlPosted 14 years ago # -
Thanks for posting the link... justasklox. :)
Posted 14 years ago # -
Speaking of toolbars.. don't know if this IS what's called a toolbar or not, but it's a big fat pain in the rear. I have msn.com as my home page, and I'm in the habit of typing the url I want in the top, but for quite sometime when I start typing in the top, then my curser goes to the msn search box and messes up my typing! I've tried figuring out how to get rid of this and thought maybe someone here might know?
Posted 14 years ago # -
Thanks guys. Revo Uninstaller work fast and efficiently. What a handy programme
Posted 14 years ago # -
bigharry - I use it all the time! First it goes through the regular program UNinstall and then picks up all the leftover bits and pieces left in the registry, so it's a total clean uninstall!!
Posted 14 years ago # -
Copmom:
If you have firefox, go here:
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/tipsandtricks/change-homepage-firefox.htm
If you have Opera, Netscape, or IE (I hope you don't) go here: http://www.cybertechhelp.com/tutorial/article/how-to-change-browser-homepage
If you do by chance have any of the above 3, take a look at firefox. It's not my favorite browser (mine is chrome, but less-user friendly), but I can't think of anybody that has tried both the three and FF, and not liked Firefox.Posted 14 years ago # -
Or of course you could always check out Google Chrome (my browser of choice) and upgrade your browsing speed. =D
Posted 14 years ago # -
@copmom: Most search sites automatically relocate your input cursor to their search bar. To stop that, either turn off JavaScript (yeah, right) or change your home page.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I tried Chrome but while it was fast I didn't like the lists showing everywhere I had been (a privacy issue) and I couldnt delete them so I went back to Firefox
Posted 14 years ago # -
I love Chrome, its so fast and clean :P but, as a real post, bigharry, I can get rid of those if you want...there are two ways.
First is to go to the wrench on the side, and click "Clear browsing data", then uncheck everything, except for the "Clear Browsing History".
Second is to go to the wrench again, and click Options. Choose "Open this page" option under "Home Page", and type in the url that you want to start with.
However, with either of these options, you won't get your useful launch page...but that shows your history :PPosted 14 years ago # -
@thenameipicke and @GMMan.. thanks to both of you. Never thought of changing my home page.. DUH, and right, cannot turn off JavaScript.. too many places require it be enabled, like PayPal or even Citibank, for example!
Posted 14 years ago # -
Copmom, actually I don't have this problem with going to a search engine and having it hijack my search bar. At least not in IE7. Tried a couple last night, just to make sure I wasn't missing somehting. I was using MSN.com for a short time and it didn't hijack me, unless my memory's failing. It's been awhile.
I don't see it as a java on or off issue. In the security tab of your internet options, you have some ability to control java behaviors and activeX behavior. It could have downloaded and activeX control because you don't have it set to prompt you first. More importantly, maybe your security settings are too low. As a start, I recommend medium high. You should have hardly any, if any at all, problems accessing any site you want on medium high. If you're already there, I apologize, although you can use the custom setting to even further restrict behavior. I set a custom restriction or two awhile back because of a good web article I read, though I'd have to research again because I forgot what I did. I don't believe that has to happen to you. I think you may want to review your settings.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I think maybe what is happening is that copmom may have an older computer that is not quite up to speed, so to speak, and she's trying to click in the navigation bar and type before the page is fully loaded. Once the page gets loaded, MSN is re-navigating her typing to it's search bar. My mom and dad have this happen on their old computer. My advice would be to wait until the browser is completely loaded and then begin typing. I may be wrong, but it could be worth a shot.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Copmom,
I run FF and every time I sign out of my hotmail account and try to navigate to a new page, MSN hijacks my cursor. I think it is a feature that Micro$oft put out there to try & force you to use their search programs. I have learned to use the bookmarks after checking my mail. It saves me a lot of frustration. If you find a solution, let me know. I hate it when others try to force me to do stuff I don't want to do. Peace,
Frique
Posted 14 years ago # -
Hi, Frique, I'm using FF too and have some hotmail accounts, but never had that kind of problem. I open my hotmail in FF, and of course I don't have MS as my homepage. My problem is - since some time ago - every time MS is sending an update for IE, my FF will not start. After installing IE 8 I had to reboot and restart several times, even my modem. At last the own "self-healing powers" of Vista were stronger and solved all problems - until yesterday, when FF made an update - LOL.
Posted 14 years ago # -
watcher.. my settings are set at medium high, so that's not it.
Frique, your describing exactly what I'm talking about. I guess this is what you'd call an 'older' computer.. it's 3 years old, so I guess it's now obsolete? Yes MSN has hijacked my search and url box! That's a great description of what's happened! I hate when they do things like that! And it is a matter of waiting until the page is loaded.. while it is loading I can't type any url in until it does load! Grrrrrrrrr. I am using firefox, and XP sp2, but I've also found when there is an update in microsoft, IE, or any of those, those seem to all have subtle changes in the way things work!!Posted 14 years ago # -
Sorry, copmom. My mistake. Well, as a guess, it might be because I'm running Vista. I don't know if you've heard this, but IE7 in Vista can run in a state called protected mode. That's a very low state which greatly decreases the amount of interaction that IE can have with the OS. Which gives more protection against something coming over the browser and doing damage.
Hmmm, Microsoft could have been working against it's own tendency to be intrusive. That's gotta be an accident. :)
Posted 14 years ago # -
Hi Copmom,
I too am using XP sp 2 on a 3 year old Dell. I am not sure if that has anything to do with it or not, but it is an interesting coincidence. I never use IE ( I hate it) unless I need to access a Micro$oft site for technical stuff. Incidentally, I have the auto updates turned off since sp3 caused me more hassle than it was worth. Here's a funny story. I tried to use the live onecare safety scanner the other day using IE and it would not work. I would click on the safety scanner button and absolutely nothing would happen. I even waited 10 minutes to see if it was just taking time to think about it, but nothing ever happened. I then used the IE tab add on for FF and it worked perfectly. I am beginning to wonder if Micro$oft is not as well managed as they would like us to think.
Posted 14 years ago # -
You're beginning to wonder? You can trust your instincts on that one. :)
Posted 14 years ago # -
LOL @watcher!
Yes, Frique, I also have a Dell (Dimension 4200).. seems like we're running the same OLD dinasour? But heck.. it still works so why buy a newer one. I recently got rid of my old 236 and 733 computers.. I do tend to hang onto things I guess, but now down to just 2 computers, and hubbys Vostro is less than a year old.. also a Dell. Had to do it because his old win98 got fried from a power surge. Had to pay Dell an extra $100 to NOT have that one come installed with Vista! He says his does all the work and mine does all the wasting time stuff! But his is safe since it's not even online.
As for SP3.. I had a lot of trouble when that did an auto update and it took forever and a day to get rid of it.. thank goodness for Revo Uninstaller. That program is a jewel! Same thing for Apple Quick time.. it's always trying to install itunes and when that happened awhile back that messed me up! Now it's set so I have to UNcheck the itunes box when it updates.Posted 14 years ago # -
Glad, I could give you a chuckle, copmom, but don't laugh too loudly because Bill, the Dark Lord, and his evil disciples were at it again in the last few months. If you haven't heard, hotdoge has reminded us in another thread that the latest update of .net framework installs an add-on to Firefox that you can't uninstall.
http://annoyances.org/exec/show/article08-600However, you don't have to edit the registry, as is suggested in the above article, to get rid of it. Responding to the outrage (unprecedented, I know :) ), MS has published an update to reactivate the uninstall button.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=cecc62dc-96a7-4657-af91-6383ba034eabI almost think that Darth Vader would wet himself if he met Bill Gates.
Posted 14 years ago #
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