How to remove SearchGamez

SearchGamez is a browser extension that is promoted as helpful tool especially if web user is looking for free online games. In addition, it claims that after installation, web user may experience improvement in online browsing and searching activities due to added functions by SearchGamez.

In reality, SearchGamez is categorized as potentially unwanted program (PUP) that operates as browser hijacker. Makers of this adware are employing deceptive marketing methods to spread the program and influence web users for its unchallenged installation. Technically, web users are not informed in most of the installation sequence carried out by SearchGamez. The browser extension is commonly attached to freeware or software that any computer users can download from different sources freely.

During installation of the freeware, web users do not get a hint of the SearchGamez installation and the process is not willing to divulge the inclusion of the browser extension that goes with the flow of the freeware setup. Therefore, most users are astounded on the sudden presence of SearchGamez especially that it appoints Search-gamez.com as the default homepage and search provider. Some even assess this invasion as computer virus infection.

In the evaluation of computer security experts, there is no valid reason to consider SearchGamez as part of virus group. The threat is invasive but obviously, it is not contagious and does not inflict harm on the operating system and files. SearchGamez fits the description of PUP because of misleading techniques being employed to penetrate the browser program. The fact is, computer users have all the option to thwart its installation by running the freeware setup through Advanced or Custom method. Since nearly all computer clients are opting for default installation process, they ended up installing all the surplus programs embedded to freeware and that includes SearchGamez.

SearchGamez

To remove SearchGamez from the infected browser program, please follow the steps from this page. This procedure is also helpful in restoring the homepage and search engine that was taken over by Search-gamez.com.

SearchGamez Removal Procedure

Below is a systematic instruction that is very useful in getting rid of the potentially unwanted program (PUP) from compromised Windows computer. Aside from removing the malicious browser extension, this guide is also helpful in deleting Search-gamez.com hijacker and pop-ups.

In order to totally eliminate the threat, it is vital to follow the process in exact manner.

Step 1 : Delete SearchGamez Browser Extension

Most adware and unwanted programs use an application called a "browser extension" to be able to take over the settings of internet applications. Therefore, we highly recommend checking and removing the extension that is closely related to SearchGamez. If it is not present, look for and delete any suspicious browser extension.

Remove the SearchGamez Extension from Google Chrome

1. Open your Google Chrome browser.

2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard.

Chrome URL

3. Find SearchGamez or any relevant entry and remove it from the Google Chrome browser.

SearchGamez Chrome Extension

Uninstall the SearchGamez Extension from Mozilla Firefox

1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.

2. Type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard.

Firefox URL

3. Choose Extensions from the sidebar menu.

4. Look for an object that pertains to SearchGamez and remove it from the browser.

After deleting the malicious browser extension, it is expected that pop-ups and other troubles will be gone from the internet browser.

Remove SearchGamez from Microsoft Windows and Edge Browser

1. On your keyboard, press Windows Key + R and then, type the appwiz.cpl command.

2. The Program and Features window will open. Arrange the list in a chronological manner, with recently installed applications on top. To do this, click on the 'Installed On' column.

Add-Remove Malware

3. Select SearchGamez or a recently installed unwanted entry. Then, click on Uninstall to remove it from the Windows system.

If SearchGamez is still present on the browser and there are still homepage and pop-ups, another option is to remove the adware from the browser settings.

4. Open the Microsoft Edge program.

5. Input edge://extensions/ in the URL bar and press Enter on the keyboard.

6. Look for and Remove or Disable entries for SearchGamez from the Installed Extensions area. Additionally, delete the same object from the Search Providers section by executing the Hijacker Removal Procedure for Edge.

7. Close the window and restart Microsoft Edge.

Step 2 : Scan the computer with Sophos Antivirus

To remove SearchGamez automatically, checking the computer with this powerful malware scanner recommended. This security application does not just uncover known threats like viruses or malware, it is also effective in discovering browser hijacker that assigns Search-gamez.com as the homepage URL.

1. Download Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the link below. Save the file on your computer where you can easily access it.

2. Once the download completes, browse the location of the file. Double-click to run the program and begin the install process.

Screnshot of Sophos Installer

3. On first windows of installation wizard, click Next to continue. Then, it will display the program’s License Agreement. You need to Accept the terms in order to proceed. If Windows prompts for User Account Control, please click Yes to proceed.

Screenshot of Sophos EULA Page

4. On succeeding windows, click Next or Continue to carry on with the installation. After completing the installation process, Launch Sophos Virus Removal Tool.

5. Internet connection is required when running this scanner in order to download important updates. Make sure that everything is up-to-date to effectively remove malicious program like SearchGamez.

6. Click the  button to  carry out the Scan. This will check the system for presence of malicious objects, malware, and viruses. The tool reveals items that were found linked to SearchGamez and other suspicious entities. Be sure to remove all identified threats.

Screenshot of Sophos Virus Scan

The above procedures should have totally eliminated the SearchGamez browser hijacker. However, if you found that there are still remnants of the threat and Search-gamez.com still exists on internet application, please proceed to manual removal of associated objects as outlined below.

Step 3 : Scan and Delete Adware with AdwCleaner

In addition to the procedure, we suggest scanning the computer with AdwCleaner tool. Possibly, there are some traces of SearchGamez on the browser that was not deleted during the preceding steps. This tool will scan the computer and check for presence of malicious applications as well as invalid browser entries that produces Search-gamez.com pop-ups.

1. Follow the link below to download the tool called AdwCleaner.

2. When the download has completed, please close all running programs on the computer especially browsers affected by SearchGamez.

3. Browse the location of the downloaded file and double-click on adwcleaner_Ver.exe to start running the tool. Then, click on Scan button.

AdwCleaner

4. AdwCleaner searches the computer for malicious programs, extensions, plug-ins, adware, and any items that may be associated to SearchGamez. It will also check for suspicious entries on browser settings that is associated with Search-gamez.com.

5. Clean or Remove all suspicious and harmful items identified after the thorough scan.

6. After the cleanup procedure, rebooting the computer is required to finalize the removal of detected threats.

Check if your internet browser application is no longer being bothered by Search-gamez.com. If the browser hijacker still persists, please continue with the steps below to reset internet programs to default settings.

Optional : Reset Internet Browser Program

Cleaning your internet browser from clutter and unwanted add-on/extension is a must when dealing with SearchGamez. The procedure below discusses on resetting various browsers to their default state.

Restore Google Chrome to Default Settings

Resetting Google Chrome to its default settings is helpful in deleting hard-to-remove extensions, such as SearchGamez. This method is highly advisable to perform if you have difficulty removing unwanted extensions.

1. Open the Google Chrome internet browser.
2. On the address bar, type chrome://settings/reset and press the Enter key.
3. Click on Reset Settings on the sidebar and choose Restore settings to their original defaults.
4. On the confirmation window, click the Reset settings button to clear all entries for SearchGamez.
5. Close the existing tab and restart Google Chrome. That should have removed the SearchGamez extension and associated objects.

Reset Mozilla Firefox to Default

This section describes how to remove unwanted extensions from Firefox that may be related to SearchGamez. This process can fix many browser issues by restoring Firefox to factory settings without affecting your essential information (bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, and Internet cookies) on the browser. If you desire to remove only a specific extension, please see the manual removal of add-ons from Firefox.

1. Input the string about:support on the Firefox web address and press Enter on the keyboard.
2. You will now see the Troubleshooting Information page of Mozilla Firefox.
3. You will notice a section in the upper-right corner of the screen stating, Give Firefox a tune-up. Click the Refresh Firefox button.
4. If a confirmation window appears, click Refresh Firefox to continue.
5. Firefox browser will close and start the resetting process. When done, it will display a list of restored data. SearchGamez should be gone by now. Click Finish to open a fresh version of Firefox.

Restore Microsoft Edge to Default Settings

1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. On the address bar, please input edge://settings/reset and press Enter on the keyboard.
3. Once you are on the Reset Settings page, click on Restore settings to their default values.
4. A confirmation window will appear; click on the Reset button to continue.

Your data, like favorites, bookmarks, and history, will remain in the browser. However, this process will delete add-ons by SearchGamez and other unknown objects.

How to remove Search-gamez.com Pop-ups (Notification)

Most of the time, browser hijackers are combined with intrusive pop-up ads originating from the source website Search-gamez.com. It is taking advantage of push notification feature of popular internet programs like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Edge. These pop-up ads from Search-gamez.com are extra ordinary as it exceeds the normal display volume and they are certainly annoying.

Search-gamez.com

Normally, Search-gamez.com pop-ups will start to bombard internet browser screen with pop-ups if web user was deceived to click “Allow” button that triggers the said website to send push notification. To stop Search-gamez.com from showing the pop-ups, please execute the procedures below. Remember, these steps may only be successful after the removal of the main component or dubious browser extension.

Google Chrome

1. On Google Chrome browser, input the following in the address bar and press Enter:

chrome://settings/content/notifications

2. Navigate to the list under "Allow" section and look for Search-gamez.com.

3. Click the ellipses (3 dots) beside Search-gamez.com list to reveal the options.

Chrome Push Notification

4. Click on Block or Remove to stop Search-gamez.com from displaying pop-up ads on Google Chrome browser.

6. Please restart Google Chrome browser.

Mozilla Firefox

1. On Mozilla Firefox browser, type the following in the address bar and press Enter key:

about:preferences#privacy

2. Navigate below to Permission area and look for Notifications.

Firefox Notification Settings

3. Click the Settings button aligned with the Notifications.

4. Look for Search-gamez.com entry and change the Status to Block.

Block Notification from Firefox

5. Click on Save Changes and restart Mozilla Firefox and check if Search-gamez.com pop-up is gone.

Safari (Mac)

1. On top menu, click on Safari and then, select Preferences from the drop-down list.

2. Click on Websites tab to open its settings.

3. Select Notifications from the left sidebar.

Safari Push Notification

4. On right panel, it will display a list of websites with "Allow" attribute.

5. Find and click on Search-gamez.com.

6. You may choose to Deny or Remove it from the notification list.

7. You may now restart Safari browser and see if Search-gamez.com pop-up is gone.

Microsoft Edge

1. Assuming that Edge browser is open, click on the ellipses (3 dots) on upper right corner to open the Settings. Alternatively, you can press Alt + X on the keyboard.

2. Select Settings from the drop-down list.

3. Click on Advanced.

4. Under Website Permissions area, click on Manage Permissions button.

Edge Push Notification

4. Find and select Search-gamez.com from the list. Click on X button to stop it from showing pop-up ads or notifications.

Edge Notification Removal

5. You may now restart Edge browser.

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