Ask

[bmcecosse]

Can anyone tell me how to rid my laptop of the dreadful 'Ask' search - which plagues me with useless answers whenever I search. This has only happened recently - no idea how it got 'infected' by this nightmare..... I've looked through 'uninstall' but no sign of any programs with 'Ask' in the name....

[panky]

Open an explorer page and go to 'Tools' in the menu bar, select 'Manage Add-ons' and de-select the Ask tool bar

[bmcecosse]

Sorry to be 'thick' - but 'explorer page' ?? Internet Explorer ?? The problem is there in Opera and Chrome and IE.... I did look in IE tools etc - nothing there about this horrible 'Ask'....

[les]

Not that I know much about this computer lark but if you click the internet explorer icon then top right there is a cog looking thing, click over that and in the drop down menu is Manage add ons. On the left side of the window you might have to click under 'show' then 'all add ons'

[bmcecosse]

Thanks -I'll try that Les... Ah yes - been there already, but nothing about 'Ask' to be seen....

[Plin]

Hello Roy

In Chrome you could try as Les says:-

top left where there are line little lines click to bring drop down menu

go to the 'settings' choice

under 'search' heading look for and click on the box 'Manange Search Engines'

it should show up all sorts of search engines!

you can choose which one you want as you hover over it it should highlight and you have choice of make default or X to delete

hope it helps and works, expect it is the same in the IE and Opera but I don't use those. Just make sure I suppose that you have chosen the one search engine you do want to keep as your default one.

Regards

Plin

[panky]

Try opening an Internet Explorer page and right click on the menu bar, does 'Ask' have a tick next to it?

[irmscher]

An explorer page Bear Grylls will be coming for tea Roy

[MarkyB]

Here you go;
http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-ask ... nd-search/

It's worth reading the dialouge boxes when installing software rather than clicking OK< OK< OK.
Dont agree to the terms and conditions of software you dont want, normally tick boxes that are already ticked.

[bmcecosse]

Thanks lads - being dragged away right now - but I'll have a try later.

[TFM150K]

I do wish you well sir, I often get close to putting the machine in next door's fish-pond...

[les]

Glad I'm not the only one! I'm doing this on my phone as the laptop just died.

[mobylette]

You almost certainly received this unwanted software when you received a message that "Java" need updating or something similar. If you don't untick the box for Ask, it will be installed along with the update. Just go to control panel, uninstall a program, and uninstall Ask, then reset your browser homepage. Job done.
PS, you don't need Java, so can get rid of that as well if you like.

[bmcecosse]

There's no 'Ask' showing in Control Panel - been there... What does 'java' do? You're right - it keeps wanting to update... Can I safely remove all Java progs ??

[MarkyB]

Did you try this?
Remove Ask Toolbar and Search.Ask.com with AdwCleaner.

[mobylette]

Yes you can get rid of Java, see this article:

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/a ... technology

[MarkyB]

Java isn't really the problem, you just need to read what you are agreeing to when you install the updates and reject any toolbars.

[Trickydicky]

Java isn't really the problem, you just need to read what you are agreeing to when you install the updates and reject any toolbars.

Exactly Marky, he dont need a mac either.....

[bmcecosse]

Thanks all - yet again! With some considerable difficulty I have managed to lose the dreadful 'Ask' and another one called 'trovigo' (?) I think. Both these useless programs when asked to search for say 'google' come up with rubbish such as 'buy google on ebay' and a whole raft of equally stupid suggestions. What a waste of space.. So - all gone at the moment from Qpera and IE and Chrome..! Thanks again...help much appreciated . Roy