How to Totally Get Rid of an Add-On Bar
Web browser toolbars are add-ons, or extensions, that you can add to your browser to extend its functionality. Sometimes add-ons get installed on your system without your knowledge or consent by third-party applications. Some toolbars can track your browsing history or even record your keystrokes and send your email accounts, usernames and passwords to third parties. You can remove add-on bars from all major Web browsers, including Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. In Internet Explorer, you can disable the toolbars. Some toolbars can be uninstalled by using the Control Panel.
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Instructions
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Google Chrome
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1
Launch Google Chrome, click the Chrome Menu icon and then choose "Settings" from the menu to open the Settings page.
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Click "Extensions" in the navigation pane at the left to view all extensions installed in Google Chrome.
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3
Click the trash can icon at the right of the toolbar and click "Remove" to remove the toolbar.
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4
Restart Google Chrome.
Mozilla Firefox
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5
Press "Alt" to display the Menu bar, click "Tools" and choose "Add-ons" from the menu to open the Add-ons Manager.
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Locate the toolbar add-on and then click the "Remove" button at the right.
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Click the "Restart Now" link to restart the Web browser.
Internet Explorer
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8
Launch Internet Explorer, click "Tools" and choose "Manage Add-ons" from the menu to open the Manage Add-ons window.
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Select the "All Add-ons" option from the Show drop-down menu and then select the toolbar you wish to remove.
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Click the "Disable" button, click "Disable" to confirm your action and then close the Manage Add-ons window.
Uninstall Toolbars Using the Control Panel
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Press "Windows-X" to open the Windows Power User menu and choose "Control Panel" from the menu to open the Control Panel.
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Click "Uninstall a Program" in the Programs section of the Control Panel to open the "Uninstall or Change a Program" section.
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Select the toolbar application and click the "Uninstall" button. Click "Yes" to confirm your action and remove the toolbar add-on.
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Tips & Warnings
Toolbar add-ons usually contain "Toolbar" in their name; examples include "Yahoo Toolbar" and "Google Toolbar."
If the toolbar can't be uninstalled or removed, you need to use an anti-spyware utility to remove the toolbar.
Information in this article applies to Mozilla Firefox 20, Google Chrome 26 and Internet Explorer 10. It may vary slightly or significantly with other versions or products.
