Searchnu is a program that installs a search engine as well as a toolbar on your computer. Searchnu is typically installed together with other free programs – and must be actively deselected in the installation process if you want to avoid the installation. On this page, you’ll find complete instructions on how to remove Searchnu from your computer.
What is Searchnu?
Searchnu is a program that forces a search engine and a toolbar on the user. Searchnu is typically installed alongside other free programs or browser add-ons (such as iLivid).
Searchnu can be deselected during installation (typically by removing a checkmark), but since this step is hidden or grayed out in the installation process, you won’t notice it and install it without a second thought.
What does Searchnu do?
Searchnu does the following 3 things on your computer:
- Replaces your homepage to its own (searchnu.com/406)
- Changes your favorite search engine to its own (search-results.com)
- Installs a toolbar (Search-Results Toolbar)
Searchnu changes your homepage and preferred search engine, among other things
On Searchnu’s homepage and search engine, Searchnu displays sponsored links and other advertisements that send you to SPAM-like websites in order to get you to buy or download useless products. The ads and sponsored links are specifically designed to mimic Google search results and can easily fool most people.
Some experts also believe that Searchnu is able to collect information about users’ search patterns based on the keywords entered into their search engine. If this is the case, the information is likely to be used to display more relevant ads, increasing the likelihood of users clicking on them.
How to remove Searchnu
Step 1: Remove Searchnu from your computer
Searchnu typically installs several programs that need to be removed from your computer. The correct way to remove Searchnu is through your computer’s control panel – if you’re not sure how to do this, you should start by finding out what version of Windows you have and then follow the instructions below.
Windows 7 and Windows Vista
- Click the Start button and select Control Panel. Under Programs select Uninstall a program
- Select/mark the following programs:
- Searchqu toolbar
- iLivid
- Search-Results toolbar
- Click on Remove/Edit
Windows 8
- Click on the bottom left corner of the screen (the so-called hot corner – where the Start button was in previous versions of Windows), select Control Panel and then Remove a program
- Select/mark the following programs:
- Searchqu toolbar
- iLivid
- Search-Results toolbar
- Click Remove/Edit
Windows XP, Windows 95 and Windows 98
- Click the Start button and select Control Panel. Select Add or remove programs
- Select/mark the following programs:
- Searchqu toolbar
- iLivid
- Search-Results toolbar
- Click on the Remove button
- When a dialog box opens: Follow the instructions until the uninstallation is complete
Step 2: Remove Searchnu from your browser
Mozilla Firefox
- Click on the orange Firefox button in the top left corner of the browser
- Go to the Help submenu (in Windows XP: click the Help menu at the top of the browser) and select Technical Information
- Click on the Reset Firefox button
- A dialog box opens to confirm the action: Click Reset Firefox
- Firefox closes, resets and restarts automatically
Google Chrome
1. Remove Searchnu extensions
- Click on the menu in the top right corner of the browser and select Tools and then Extensions
- Under the Extensions menu item: Remove the iLivid extension by clicking on the small trash can on the right side
- NOTE: It is recommended that you remove all unknown or unwanted extensions from Google Chrome
2. Set your preferred search engine and remove Search Results
- Click the menu in the top right corner of the browser and select Settings
- Under the Search heading: Click the Manage search engines button > Click the desired search engine (e.g. Google) > Click the Make default button on the right side
- Remove the Search Results search engine (Searchnus search engine) by clicking the cross on the right side
3. Change your home page
- Click the menu in the top right corner of the browser and select Settings
- Under the Startup header: Click the radio button next to Open a specific page or a range of pages
- Then click the Set pages link and specify the page you want as your start page