What’s actually slowing this PC down?
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Remove the suspicious extension first, then check Windows 11 for software that may have installed or restored it. Reset Chrome after checking installed apps, and scan with Windows Security if the ads, redirects, or unwanted changes persist. If the messages are only notification pop-ups from one site, revoke that site’s notification permission instead.
1. Remove the suspicious Chrome extension
- In Chrome, select More > Extensions > Manage extensions.
- Find the extension you do not trust, select Remove, and confirm. You can also use the extension’s toolbar shortcut and select Remove from Chrome.
Do not simply switch off an untrusted extension and plan to restore it later. Google notes that a Windows application can install a Chrome extension, so removing the extension may not remove the program that put it there or is restoring it. Google Chrome Help: Install and manage extensions.
2. Check Windows 11 for software that may have installed it
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Review apps you do not recognize, especially those installed around the time the browser symptoms began.
- Verify an app’s publisher and purpose before removing it; unfamiliarity alone does not prove that it is unwanted.
- Select a confirmed unwanted app and choose Uninstall.
Google’s guidance recommends removing unwanted programs because they can affect Chrome. Check this before resetting the browser: a reset does not remove a Windows installer or other system-level cause. Google Chrome Help: Remove unwanted ads, pop-ups & malware.
3. Reset Chrome settings after the app check
- In Chrome, open More > Settings > Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their original defaults, then choose Reset settings.
- Review your extensions afterward and enable only those you trust.
A reset can restore browser settings changed by unwanted software, but it does not establish that Windows itself is clean. If a repaired extension remains corrupted, Google warns that a suspicious program may have changed its files; its advice is to run antivirus or anti-malware software and remove software affecting Chrome. Google Chrome Help: Remove unwanted ads, pop-ups & malware.
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4. Scan Windows if symptoms continue or affect more than one site
- Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
- Update security intelligence, then select Scan options > Full scan.
- If persistent malware is a concern, consider Microsoft Defender Offline scan. Save open files first: this scan restarts the PC and runs outside the normal Windows session.
Windows Security is built into Windows. It offers quick, custom, full, and Microsoft Defender Offline scans. A full scan examines every file and program; Offline scan restarts the computer to scan without loading the normal Windows session. Microsoft Support: Stay protected with Windows Security and Microsoft Support: Windows Security and Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
5. Check notification permissions if the messages are from one site
Browser pop-up windows and website notifications are different. A site you previously allowed to send notifications can continue displaying messages even after you block pop-ups. If only one site is sending notification toasts, inspect its notification permission in Chrome and block it if you do not want messages from that site. Google Chrome Help: Block or allow pop-ups in Chrome.
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Choose the cleanup path that matches the symptoms
| What you observe | What to do |
|---|---|
| An isolated unwanted extension, with no other browser changes | Remove it and keep only extensions you trust. |
| Messages from a single site after pop-ups are blocked | Check and block that site’s notification permission. |
| The extension returns, Chrome settings change again, or unfamiliar redirects appear | Check Windows installed apps, reset Chrome after that check, and run a Windows Security scan if symptoms persist. |
| Signs of malware continue after cleanup or appear system-wide | Consider Microsoft Defender Offline scan and seek reputable support if the computer remains compromised. |
How to recognize a broader problem
Google lists persistent pop-up ads or tabs, a homepage or search engine changing without permission, unwanted extensions or toolbars returning, redirects to unfamiliar pages, and virus alerts as possible signs of unwanted software or malware. These are warning signs, not proof of a particular infection or culprit.
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An extension with broad permission to read and change site data can affect browsing activity on the sites it is allowed to access. Review extension permissions and remove anything you do not trust. If the problem remains after the steps above, Google says ongoing malware symptoms may require resetting the computer or contacting its manufacturer. Back up essential personal files carefully and use reputable support; do not trust phone numbers or download links displayed in suspicious pop-ups. Google Chrome Help: Remove unwanted ads, pop-ups & malware.
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