Avast Browser Cleanup: A Complete Guide to Removing Unwanted ExtensionsAvast Browser Cleanup is a tool designed to help users detect and remove browser extensions, toolbars, and other unwanted add-ons that slow down browsing, hijack search settings, or display intrusive ads. This guide explains what Avast Browser Cleanup does, how it works, step-by-step instructions for using it, how to remove stubborn extensions manually, tips for preventing unwanted add-ons, and alternative tools you can consider.
What is Avast Browser Cleanup?
Avast Browser Cleanup (formerly a standalone tool from Avast) scans browsers installed on your system and lists extensions, toolbars, and plugins that may be unnecessary, suspicious, or harmful. It categorizes items by risk level and gives users a simple interface to disable or remove undesired components.
Note: Avast has changed product offerings over time; some features may be integrated into Avast Antivirus or its Secure Browser. If you don’t see a separate “Browser Cleanup” app, check the Avast main interface or the browser’s built-in extension manager.
Why remove unwanted extensions?
- Performance: Some extensions consume CPU, memory, or network resources, slowing page loads and browsing responsiveness.
- Privacy: Malicious or poorly designed extensions can track browsing activity or inject trackers into pages.
- Security: Browser add-ons can introduce vulnerabilities or redirect you to phishing or malicious sites.
- User experience: Toolbars and adware clutter the interface and change default search engines or new-tab behavior.
Before you start: backup and preparation
- Back up bookmarks and important data. Most browsers sync bookmarks if you use an account (Chrome, Edge, Firefox). Export bookmarks manually if needed.
- Note any extensions you want to keep. Take screenshots or write their names.
- Close and update your browsers to the latest version to avoid compatibility issues.
How Avast Browser Cleanup works (overview)
- Scan: The tool scans supported browsers for installed extensions, toolbars, and helper objects.
- Analyze: Each item is evaluated for suspicious behavior, reputation, or common association with adware.
- Report: Avast lists detected items and often classifies them as “safe,” “suspicious,” or “high risk.”
- Action: You can choose to remove or disable listed items. Avast often provides an option to restore previously removed items.
Step-by-step: Using Avast Browser Cleanup (if available)
- Open Avast Antivirus or Avast Secure Browser and locate the Browser Cleanup feature. It may be under Tools, Privacy & Security, or within the browser settings for Avast Secure Browser.
- Launch the Browser Cleanup scan. The tool will inspect installed browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge).
- Review the scan results. Items are typically shown with names, vendor information, and a risk rating or description.
- Select the extensions/toolbars you don’t want. For safety, avoid removing items you recognize as essential (ad blockers you installed, password managers, theme extensions you use).
- Click “Remove” or “Disable” as offered by the interface.
- Restart your browser(s) to ensure changes take effect.
Manually removing unwanted extensions (Chrome / Edge / Firefox)
If Avast Browser Cleanup isn’t available or misses something, remove extensions manually.
Chrome / Edge (Chromium-based):
- Open the browser.
- Go to the extensions page:
- Chrome: chrome://extensions
- Edge: edge://extensions
- Review installed extensions. Use the toggle to disable or click “Remove” to uninstall.
- For stubborn extensions that won’t remove, go to Settings → Reset settings → Restore settings to their default values (this resets search engine, new tab, pinned tabs and extensions).
Firefox:
- Open Firefox.
- Menu → Add-ons and Themes → Extensions.
- Click the three dots beside an extension to disable or remove.
- If an extension is persistent, refresh Firefox (Help → More Troubleshooting Information → Refresh Firefox).
Dealing with browser hijackers and persistent adware
- Run a full system scan with a reputable anti-malware tool (Avast, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender).
- Check and reset your browser’s homepage, default search engine, and new-tab settings.
- Remove suspicious programs from the system:
- Windows: Settings → Apps → Apps & features → uninstall suspicious entries.
- macOS: Applications folder → move suspicious apps to Trash and empty it.
- Use an on-demand cleaner (Malwarebytes, AdwCleaner) specifically for adware and PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs).
Restoring removed extensions
If you removed an extension by mistake:
- Reinstall it from the official browser store (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons).
- Some Avast tools offer a restore feature; check Avast’s interface for a restore or history list.
Preventing unwanted extensions
- Only install extensions from official stores and reputable developers.
- Review requested permissions before installing—if an extension asks for more access than seems necessary, avoid it.
- Keep your operating system and browsers up to date.
- Avoid downloading bundled freeware from unknown sites—use custom install and deselect added toolbars.
- Use an ad blocker and script blocker to reduce malicious injection points.
- Consider using browser profiles for different activities—keep extensions limited to what each profile needs.
Alternatives to Avast Browser Cleanup
| Tool | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Malwarebytes / AdwCleaner | Strong adware/PUP removal; free on-demand scans | Not a browser-native extension manager |
| Bitdefender Browser Cleanup | Integrated with Bitdefender products; good detection | Tied to Bitdefender ecosystem |
| Manual browser extension managers (Chrome/Firefox) | Full control; no extra software | Requires manual review and effort |
| Windows Defender / Microsoft Defender Offline | Built into Windows; good baseline protection | May miss some adware PUPs compared to dedicated cleaners |
Troubleshooting common issues
- Avast Browser Cleanup not found: Check Avast main app or update Avast; the feature may be integrated elsewhere.
- Extension returns after removal: Likely a system-level program reinstalls it—remove related program from Apps & features and scan for PUPs.
- Protected corporate devices: Some extensions are enforced by policies; contact your IT admin.
Final checklist
- Backup bookmarks and settings.
- Run Browser Cleanup or a reputable anti-malware scan.
- Manually remove or disable unwanted extensions via browser settings.
- Reset browser settings if hijacked.
- Uninstall related suspicious programs from the OS.
- Keep software updated and limit extension installations.
If you want, I can provide step-by-step screenshots for Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, or draft a short checklist you can print and follow.
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