How to remove Trovi Search from Windows (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge)

Trovi Search is a browser hijacker that it will change the homepage and search engine for your web browser to trovi.com.

Trovi.com redirect virus
The Trovi Search redirect is caused by a browser hijacker which is installed by the users, whether that is knowingly or not. Often, this type of program is offered through advertisements or bundled with other software, leaving the user puzzled where this software came from.
Browser hijackers are a type of malware created for the purpose of modifying Internet browser settings without the user’s knowledge or consent.

The Trovi Search browser hijacker will change your browser search provider to https://trovi.com, which will redirect to search result pages from http://bing.com. This is most likely done to generate advertising revenue by using Bing Search for its search results.

When the Trovi Search browser hijacker is installed on a PC, common symptoms include:

  • Changing the web browser’s default homepage to Trovi.com
  • Changing the browser’s search provider and built-in to Trovi Search
  • Ability to modify the ‘new tab’ functionality to launch the modified search portal page
  • Loads into the web browser via a browser extension
You should always pay attention when installing software because often, a software installer includes optional installs, such as this Trovi Search browser hijacker. Be very careful what you agree to install.
Always opt for the custom installation and deselect anything that is not familiar, especially optional software that you never wanted to download and install in the first place. It goes without saying that you should not install software that you don’t trust.
The below instructions are for Windows users, however we also have an Android Guide and a MacOS guide which should help clean up your device.

How to remove Trovi Search (Virus Removal Guide)

This malware removal guide may appear overwhelming due to the amount of the steps and numerous programs that are being used. We have only written it this way to provide clear, detailed, and easy to understand instructions that anyone can use to remove malware for free.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, STOP and ask for our assistance.
To remove the Trovi Search redirect, follow these steps:

STEP 1 : Uninstall Search Protect from Windows

In this first step, we will try to identify and remove any malicious program that might be installed on your computer.

  1. Go to “Programs and Features”.

    Windows 10

    1. On the Start Windows Start button menu, type Control Panel in the search box and select “Control Panel” from the results.
      Go to the Control Panel
    2. When the “Control Panel” window opens click on the “Uninstall a program” option under “Programs” category.
      Click on Uninstall a Program option - Windows 10

    Windows 8

    Right-click on the Start Windows Start button button in the lower-left corner and select “Programs and Features”. This will take you directly to your list of installed programs.

    Right click on Start and select Programs and Features - Windows 8.1 Help

    • If you can’t find the Programs and Features in the Start menu, type “programs and features” into the search bar at the bottom of the Start window, then click the “Programs and Features” result.
    • If you don’t have a Start button, you are likely running Windows 8 instead of Windows 8.1. Press the Windows key + X to open the menu instead and select “Programs and Features”.

    Windows 7

    1. Click on Start, then select “Control Panel”.Start by clicking on the Start Windows Start button button, then click on “Control Panel”.
      Click on the Windows Start button and select Control Panel - Windows 7 Help

      If you don’t see “Control Panel” here, type control panel into the search bar at the bottom of the Start window, then click the “Control Panel” result.
    2. When the “Control Panel” appears, click on “Uninstall a Program” from the Programs category.
      Select Uninstall a program from Control Panel menu Windows 7 Help
  2. Find the malicious program and uninstall it.

    The “Programs and Features” screen will be displayed with a list of all the programs installed on your PC. Scroll through the list until you find “Trovi“, then click to highlight it, then click the “Uninstall” button that appears on the top toolbar.

    The malicious program may have a different name on your computer. If you cannot find any malicious programs on your PC, you can skip to the next step.

    Trovi uninstall
    When the Trovi (Search Protect) uninstaller will pop-up, select “Continue Uninstall” then click on Next.
    Remove Trovi from Windows
    At the next pop-up, check “Revert to my original settings“, then click on the “Uninstall” button”
    [Image: Revert to original settings]

If you are having issues while trying to uninstall a program, you can use Revo Uninstaller Free to completely remove an unwanted program from your PC.

STEP 2: Use Malwarebytes to remove Trovi Search redirect

Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and most used anti-malware software for Windows, and for good reasons. It is able to destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss, without costing you absolutely nothing. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.

The first time you install Malwarebytes, you’re given a free 14-day trial of the premium edition, which includes preventative tools like real-time scanning and specific protection from ransomware. After two weeks, it automatically reverts to the basic free version that will detect and clean up malware infections only when you run a scan. It is important to note that Malwarebytes will run alongside antivirus software without conflicts.

  1. Download Malwarebytes.

    You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.

    MALWAREBYTES DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes)
  2. Double-click on the Malwarebytes setup file.

    When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the mb3-setup-consumer-x.x.x.xxxx.exe file to install Malwarebytes on your PC. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.

    Double-click on mb3-setup to install Malwarebytes Help
    You may be presented with an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow Malwarebytes to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
    Windows asking for permission to run the Malwarebytes installer - Help Guide

  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.

    When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through the installation process. To install Malwarebytes on your PC, click on the “Agree and Install” button.
    Malwarebytes Setup Screen - Help Guide
    Malwarebytes is installed on your PC - Help Guide

  4. Click on “Scan Now”.

    Once installed, Malwarebytes will automatically start and update the antivirus database. To perform a system scan, click on the “Scan Now” button.
    Start a scan with Malwarebytes

  5. Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.

    Malwarebytes will now start scanning your computer for adware and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
    Malwarebytes scanning PC for malware - Help Guide

  6. Click on “Quarantine Selected”.

    When the scan has completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malicious programs that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine Selected” button.
    Click on the Quarantine Selected button to remove malware

  7. Reboot your computer.

    Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files and registry keys that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
    Malwarebytes requesting to restart computer to complete malware removal process - Help Guide
    When the malware removal process is complete, you can close Malwarebytes and continue with the rest of the instructions.


STEP 3: Use HitmanPro to scan for malware and unwanted programs

HitmanPro is a second opinion scanner that takes a unique cloud-based approach to malware scanning. HitmanPro scans the behavior of active files and also files in locations where malware normally resides for suspicious activity. If it finds a suspicious file that’s not already known, HitmanPro sends it to their clouds to be scanned by two of the best antivirus engines today, which are Bitdefender and Kaspersky.

Although HitmanPro is shareware and costs $24.95 for 1 year on 1 PC, there is actually no limit in scanning. The limitation only kicks in when there is a need to remove or quarantine detected malware by HitmanPro on your system and by then, you can activate the one time 30 day trial to enable the clean up.

  1. Download HitmanPro.

    You can download HitmanPro by clicking the link below.

    HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new web page from where you can download HitmanPro)
  2. Install HitmanPro.

    When HitmanPro has finished downloading, double-click on “hitmanpro.exe” (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or “hitmanpro_x64.exe” (for 64-bit versions of Windows) to install this program on your PC. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
    Double-click on the HitmanPro setup file - Help Guide
    You may be presented with an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow HitmanPro to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.Windows asking for permissions to run the HitmanPro setup file - Help Guide

  3. Follow the on-screen prompts.

    When HitmanPro starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below. Click on the “Next” button to perform a system scan.
    Click Next to install HitmanProHitmanPro final installer screen

  4. Wait for the HitmanPro scan to complete.

    HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for malicious programs. This process will take a few minutes.
    HitmanPro while scanning for malware - Help Guide

  5. Click on “Next”.

    When HitmanPro has finished the scan, it will display a list of all the malware that the program has found. Click on the “Next” button to remove the malicious programs.
    HitmanPro scan summary. Click Next to remove malware - Help Guide

  6. Click on “Activate free license”.

    Click on the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial and remove all the malicious files from your PC.
    Activate the free HitmanPro license keyEnter your email to complete the HitmanPro activation - Help Guide
    When the process is complete, you can close HitmanPro and continue with the rest of the instructions.


STEP 4: Double-check for malicious programs with AdwCleaner

AdwCleaner is a free popular on-demand scanner which can detect and remove malware that even the most well-known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to find.
While the Malwarebytes and HitmanPro scans are more than enough, we’re recommending AdwCleaner to users who still have malware related issues or just want make sure their PC is 100% clean.

  1. Download AdwCleaner.

    You can download AdwCleaner by clicking the link below.

    ADWCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new web page from where you can download AdwCleaner)
  2. Double-click on the setup file.

    Double-click on the file named “adwcleaner_7.x.x.exe” to start AdwCleaner. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
    AdwCleaner Setup File
    You may be presented with a User Account Control dialog asking you if you want to run this file. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
    AdwCleaner and Windows User Account Control Pop-up

  3. Click on “Scan Now”.

    When AdwCleaner will start, click on the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan.
    AdwCleaner Scan Now button

  4. Wait for the AdwCleaner scan to complete.

    AdwCleaner will now scan your PC for malicious files. This process can take a few minutes.
    AdwCleaner Scanning For Trovi Search Malware

  5. Click on “Clean & Repair”.

    When AdwCleaner has finished it will display a list of all the malware that the program found. Click on the “Clean & Repair” button to remove the malicious files from your device.
    AdwCleaner Clean & Restart

  6. Click on “Clean & Restart Now”

    When the malware removal process is complete, AdwCleaner may need to restart your device. Click on the “Clean & Restart Now” button to finish the removal process.
    AdwCleaner Clean & Restart Now


(OPTIONAL) STEP 5: Reset the browser settings to remove Trovi.com redirect

If your PC is being redirected to the Trovi.com site, we will need to reset the web browser settings to their original defaults. This step should be performed only if your issues have not been solved by the previous steps.

Google Chrome

To remove Trovi Search redirect from Google Chrome, we will need to reset your browser to its default settings. Resetting your browser settings will reset the unwanted changes caused by installing other programs. However, your saved bookmarks and passwords will not be cleared or changed.

  1. Click on the three dots at the top right and click “Settings”.

    Click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three dots at the top right corner. Now click on the menu option labeled Settings as shown by the arrow in the picture below, which will open the basic settings screen.
    Google Chrome Settings Menu

  2. At the bottom, click “Advanced”.

    Chrome’s “Settings” should now be displayed in a new tab or window, depending on your configuration. Next, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link (as seen in the below example).
    Click on the Advanced button - Google Chrome Help

  3. Under the section “Reset,” click “Reset”.

    Chrome’s advanced settings should now be displayed. Scroll down until the “Reset and clean up” section is visible, as shown in the example below. Next, click on the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
    Google Chrome Reset button

  4. Confirm by clicking “Reset”.

    A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, click on the “Reset Settings” button.
    Click on Reset to restore Google Chrome to its default settings and remove Trovi Search

Mozilla Firefox

To remove Trovi Search redirect from Firefox, we will need to reset your browser to its default settings.. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing history and open tabs.

  1. Go to the “Help” menu.

    Click on Firefox’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal lines. When the drop-down menu appears, select the option labeled “Help“.
    Click on the Firefox Menu button then select Help - Firefox Guide

  2. Click “Troubleshooting Information”.

    From the Help menu, click on “Troubleshooting Information“.

    If you’re unable to access the “Help” menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting information page.

    Troubleshooting Information option in Firefox

  3. Click on “Refresh Firefox”

    Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page.
    Refresh Firefox button

  4. Confirm.

    To continue, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the new confirmation window that opens.
    Confirm Reset Firefox

  5. Click on “Finish”.

    Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings. When it’s done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click on the “Finish“.

Your old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data“. If the reset didn’t fix your problem you can restore some of the information not saved by copying files to the new profile that was created. If you don’t need this folder any longer, you should delete it as it contains sensitive information.

Internet Explorer

To remove Trovi Search redirect from Internet Explorer, we will need to reset your browser to its default settings. You can reset Internet Explorer settings to return them to the state they were in when Internet Explorer was first installed on your PC.

  1. Go to “Internet Options”.

    Open Internet Explorer, click on the gear icon in the upper right part of your browser, then select “Internet Options“.
    Click on the Gear Icon then select Internet Options - Help Guide

  2. Select the “Advanced” tab, then click “Reset”

    In the “Internet Options” dialog box, select the “Advanced” tab, then click on the “Reset” button.
    In the Advanced tab click on the Reset button - Help Guide

  3. Click on “Reset”.

    In the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” section, select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then click on “Reset” button.
    Click on the Reset button to revert IE to its default settings to remove Trovi Search

  4. Click on “Close”.

    When Internet Explorer has completed its task, click on the “Close” button in the confirmation dialogue box.
    You will now  need to close your browser, and then you can open Internet Explorer again.
    Click on the Close button - Help Guide

Microsoft Edge

To remove Trovi Search redirect from Microsoft Edge, we will need to reset your browser to its default settings. Starting with Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709), users can repair or reset the Microsoft Edge settings.

  1. Go to “Apps and Features”.

    Right-click on the Start Windows Start button button in the lower-left corner and select “Apps and Features“. This will take you directly to your list of installed programs.
    Go to Apps and Features in Windows 10

  2. Find Microsoft Edge, then select “Advanced Options”.

    The “App and Features” screen will be displayed with a list of all the programs installed on your PC. Scroll through the list until you find “Microsoft Edge”, click it, and then click on the “Advanced options” link.
    Microsoft Edge Advanced Options

  3. Click on “Reset”.

    The “Advanced Options” screen will now be displayed. Scroll down until the “Reset” section is visible, as shown in the example below. Next, click on the “Reset” button.
    Microsoft Edge Reset Settings to removeo Trovi Search


Your computer should now be free of the Trovi.com redirect. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove Trovi Search browser hijacker from your PC, please do one of the following:

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

    lock sign

    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

    cursor sign

    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

87 thoughts on “How to remove Trovi Search from Windows (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge)”

  1. dang the trovi virus was hijacking google i was wondering why trovi was so slow and crappy
    so thank you for helping me getting rid of this virus!

  2. This was a great article, everything went well after following all the steps. I really appreciate the time you invested for us all with this problem. Thank you!

  3. Thanks Stelian, you’ve made an idiot proof guide to removal of this pernicious malware, especially with the screenshots. Now if you would kindly go beat these Trovi people around the face and neck we’ll consider the job done.

  4. ADWcleaner did not remove Trovi, removed a bunch of junk but not what I wanted. Now I have to find where that program has hidden itself and remove. Moving on the second option discussed but not holding my breath

  5. Hi, I’m trying to do step 2, but, as Lauren, I have a mac and not a pc, so the program doesn’t work for me. Is there any other program that can remove Trovi from google chrome?

  6. Trying to do step 1 but I have a mac not a pc. That program doesn’t work for me. Would you happen to know one that would?

  7. Thank you, you have been a real blessing to me. For 2 days I used words I haven’t uttered in years. You instructions were clear and easy to follow, and the wild beast is gone. Good man-thanks again!

  8. Thank you so much!!! I could hug and kiss you, but I am old and you are young and that would probably just get me thrown in jail….but I appreciate your help very much.

  9. I am paranoid, and I used all of the programs. They all worked, and they all found something (which I guess means I am not as careful as I think I am). But thank you, was having a massive panic attack before I found this guide!

  10. HitMan pro works like magic. It found extra adware and malware that both of my antiviruses didn’t find. :)

  11. Thank you so much! This was incredibly helpful, easy & overall just f-ing amazing!! Everything seems back to normal (…for now..lol)

  12. awdCleaner worked for me. Amazing how much junk I had on my laptop. It’s even faster now. Great site thanks for your work

  13. Thank you SO MUCH!! My son is a juvenile gamer and apparently downloaded the Trovi malware. Thank u so much for helping me remove it. Ur step by step instructions were spot on!! Highly recommend anyone to try this!! Seriously!!

  14. A friend of mine quickly clicked through some installation that allowed this malware on my computer. Luckily it is very easy to recognize it as a malware and even more luckily this is a very easy and userfriendly guide on how to remove it. I think my friend is very relieved and happy that I didn’t have too much trouble; if I would have just reset my browser I would still have a lot of malware, and I would probably be more annoyed with him…

    Thank you!

  15. This helped my computer and all the computers that were on my network that had gotten the Trovi ‘virus’ as well (note that I did have to do all of the steps on ALL of the computers on the network, but it still removed Trovi and a few other things on all my systems)….Thanks!

  16. AMAZING! Haven’t been able to use computer for weeks, and because of your helpful site it is back up and running like ne! THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!

  17. Thank you so much. I first started by resetting my browsers and using CCcleaner, then came across this tip on Google. The programs found other stuff I didn’t catch in my initial sweep. Very easy to follow with the screen shots…totally idiot-proof!

    As a side note, I was in Romania for about 1.5 months last year – it was my favorite country in all of Europe. (Got to say, not a huge fan of Bucharest [sorry], but I loved Brasov, Sibiu,, Sighisoara, Timisoara, and Cluj. Vama Veche was…uh…) When I come back to visit, I’ll buy you a beer or two!

  18. Thank you so much. I tried everything else, and finally found your instructions. Thank you for such clear direction and an effective solution.

  19. Exceptional! I have been battling with Trovi and other adware programs for a few weeks Finally I think they’re licked! Every step was clearly defined, clearly written, screen shots were dead-on. Thank you so much for this remarkable help!

  20. interesting to find that after 20 years of designing tools to locate infections in humans, I am now learning how to find infections in software. The instructions you give are very well thought out. Now let me see if I can follow them.

  21. I can’t open the link to download Adwcleaner; trovi seems to be blocking the download link and I’m now a bit panicky about downloading anything! Can you give me an url to get the right page from which to download safely.

  22. wow, thanks a ton for this. really appreciated the amount of time you took to describe each step with every detail. worked great and my internet and chrome are finally back to normal! thanks again dude!

  23. For the moment, many thanks. Success and it looks as if your tool could also remove another long-acting search tool. Can this be?

  24. I think you are a genius and the way you explain it is very user friendly even a mechanically minded guy can understand that. Thanks very much great job and highly recommended.

  25. Thanks heaps. All back to normal again. Also, these were the easiest instructions I’ve ever had to follow. Thanks for keeping us dummies in mind.

  26. Thanks so much for this. You really saved my bacon today. I really appreciate the help.

  27. Hello,
    No, all the software that we have recommended is safe, and has a good online reputation. You can search reviews for each one before actually install it. :)

  28. Hello, will downloading all the software mentioned in the steps cause our laptop to have more malware? or are they safe to download?

  29. Thank you so much. I needed to do all your steps as the last one picked up and addition 7 malware and virus! Love your work!!

  30. Hello,
    I think it’s 20$ or something like that! McAfee it’s not that good, you would be better using another antivirus like Avast Antivirus Free. :)

  31. Thanks the tip fir removing Trovi frin Google Chrome appears to have worked.
    I had initially called McAfee about the issue bur they wanted to charge lits if money.
    How much is it to purchase Malawarebytes Anti malware premium?

  32. Fabulous thank you, my laptop is faster and more efficient since getting rid of Trovigo yay!!!

  33. Thanks alot man been running everything i think the 1st 2 steps did the trick for me.

  34. People that make stuff like trovi have a special place in hell waiting for them

  35. Thank you for a thorough and easy to follow removal process! Everything worked like a charm!

  36. I second third and fourth all the thank yous. I’ll swear Trovi snuck in somehow while I was updating a new installation but we all let our guards down sometimes I suppose and we are all hooman – even me. Great info and great set of utilities

  37. Thank you. Thank you! I had to go through the steps twice, but everything seems okay now.

  38. Thank you so much for a very user friendly guide! I had to go through all five steps, but now at least my laptop seems Trovi-free (plus a bunch of other stuff the programs found..)!

  39. thank you so much!!! may God bless you… i’m so glad to found out there is solution to this issue.. :) really happy!! THANK YOU!!!

  40. Worked great. Had Trovi while using Chrome and would mess up my new tabs and default search engine, but followed the steps and cleared it up.

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