Fast Search is one of those programs that "sneak" secretly on your PC and change all the default settings of the browser: the home page, the search engine, the opening page of the new tabs and so on. They are called browser hijackers - browser hijackers - and in fact their purpose is to hijack the user to sites full of advertising, from which their creators make large sums of money.
Very often, browser hijackers are installed on the computer without the user's knowledge, perhaps following the installation of pirated software or untrustworthy applications downloaded from the Internet. Unfortunately they are very resistant, very annoying, but contrary to what is said around they are not "invincible". Indeed, using the right software - in the right order - it is possible to delete them from the PC quite simply… I won't tell you fast, as you have to wait for the technical time necessary to scan the system, but simple, yes.
I don't think there is anything else to add. If you too have had the misfortune of stumbling upon this software and want to know how to remove Fast Start from your PC, read on, find all the information you need below. I cross my fingers and wish you free your browsers from this annoying threat before you even get to the end of the tutorial. Good luck!
Delete Fast Start from the Control Panel
The first step I recommend you take is to open the Control Panel Windows and look for all references to Fast Search present on the PC. Then click on the item Uninstall a program located at the bottom left, select the tab Installed on in order to arrange the list of programs installed on the PC in chronological order and identify all the programs that may have to do with Fast Search (those that in the name explicitly refer to Fast Search, a Lightning New Tab and / or that were installed on the same day as Fast Search).
Once you have identified the software to be removed, select them one by one and click on the button Uninstall / Change located at the top right to start the uninstallation. The uninstallation process varies from program to program, but generally to complete it just click on Next o NEXT.
PC anti-malware scan
After you have eliminated all traces of Fast Search visible in the Windows Control Panel, you have to get hold of the heavy artillery and scan your PC with some anti-malware software that I am about to recommend. These software are all free and do not "step on the toes" of the antivirus as they do not check the system in real time, they only perform on-deme scans.
Adwcleaner
The first antimalware that I recommend you use on your PC is Adwcleaner, which is small, light but very effective. Adwcleaner specializes precisely in the removal of browser hijackers and works without requiring any installation: you download, start and that's it.
To download the latest version of Adwcleaner on your PC, connect to the program's website and click on the button Download now which is on the right. Then start the executable adwcleaner_xx.exe just downloaded to your computer and first click on Yes and then I Agree to access the software home screen.
At this point, press the pulsating Scan and wait a few minutes for the system scan to complete. Make sure, therefore, that there is a check mark next to the names of all threats detected by the program and first click on Cleaning and then always on Yes to restart your computer and delete all malware found by Adwcleaner (including Fast Start).
JRT
After using Adwcleaner it is time to turn to another small antimalware that does not need installations in order to work, I am referring to JRT (acronym for Junkware Removal Tool) which does not have a graphical interface - works from the comme line - but is very simple to use.
To download JRT on your computer, connect to this web page and click on the button GET MY FREE DOWNLOAD. Then start the file JRT.exe you just downloaded, wait a few moments for the Comme Prompt and press the button Submit onla tastiera from the PC.
If you get an error that a restore point could not be created, ignore it. Press again Submit and wait a few minutes for JRT to do its job. After the scan is complete, the software will show you a text file with the report of all malware deleted from the system.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Last but not least, to give the final blow to Fast Start, I recommend using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, one of the most famous and most complete anti-malware agolable at the moment. The program is agolable in two versions: a free version that does not include real-time protection and a paid version that constantly monitors the system. The free one is enough for you.
To download the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on your PC, connect to the program's website and first click on the button Scarica the free version and poi quello Download now. When the download is complete, start the file mbam-setup-org-xx.exe and cheap prima su Yes and then OK and NEXT. Then put the check mark next to the item I accept the terms of the license agreement and finish the Malwarebytes installation process by clicking on NEXT five consecutive times and then on Install and end. In the last screen of the setup, remove the check from the item related to Malwarebytes Pro, as already mentioned you do not need it.
Now, launch Malwarebytes and wait a few minutes for the latest antimalware definitions to be downloaded from the Internet. Then go to the card Scan program, select the option Search for new items and pulsing on pulsating Start Scan to start a full PC check. The operation could go on for a long time.
At the end of the scan, if the program has detected any threats, click on the button first Remove selected e then Close to get rid of it. A system restart may be required to apply the changes.
Browser reset
At this point you should be able to delete Fast Start from your PC. To check that everything is going the right way, open Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge and check if there are still traces of the browser hijacker.
In the unfortunate event that there is still some residual trace of Fast Start in the system, try a "clean up" browser shortcuts on the desktop. To do this, click with the right mouse button on the icons of Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Microsoft Edge on the desktop and select the item Property from the menu that appears. In the window that opens, select the tab connection, delete any references to Fast Start present at the end of the fields Destination e Da and save the changes by clicking on Apply / OK.
If not even in this way you can solve the problem, open the browser in which Fast Start is still present and return the program to the factory state following the instructions below. Warning: By resetting your browser you will lose all extensions, login data and other important information.
- Chrome - click on the hamburger icon located at the top right and select the item Settings give the menu to compare. Dopodiché click on the itemShow advanced settings, scroll the page to the bottom and click on the button Reset settings.
- Firefox - click on the hamburger icon located at the top right and first select the Question mark and then the voice Troubleshooting from the menu that opens. Then press the button Reset Firefox e wait for the program to be restored to its factory state.
- Internet Explorer - click on the gear icon located at the top right, select the item Internet options from the menu that appears and go to the card Advanced of the window that opens. Then click on the button Reset ... and proceed with the browser reset.
