If ads, redirects, or unfamiliar homepage and search settings have taken over your browser, first check your device for unwanted software. Then reset or repair the browser settings that may have been changed. A browser reset can undo some unwanted changes, but it does not prove that adware has been removed from your computer.
Before resetting: check the device, not just the browser
A changed homepage or search engine, unexpected redirects, and ads injected into pages can be signs of a browser hijacker, but they do not identify the cause by themselves. Pop-ups that appear as notification alerts may instead come from a website you allowed to send notifications.
- Do not follow cleanup instructions in a pop-up. Avoid clicking alarming alerts or downloading a cleanup tool advertised by the page. Get software from its official website, as Google’s guidance on unwanted ads and pop-ups in Chrome advises.
- Scan the device for unwanted software or malware. Google advises checking the computer for unwanted programs before resetting Chrome. Microsoft also recommends scanning the device for malware as part of Edge troubleshooting. Use trusted security guidance and tools; a browser reset alone cannot establish that the computer is clean. See Google’s unwanted-software guidance and Microsoft’s Edge troubleshooting guidance.
- Record settings you may want to restore. If practical, note your homepage, search engine, extensions, and other browser customizations before changing them. Check that important data is backed up or that you understand your sync status before clearing browsing data.
- Use the browser-specific option below. Chrome reset, Firefox Refresh, and Edge repair do different things; they are not interchangeable.
What each browser operation does
| Browser operation | What it changes | What it retains or affects |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome: Restore settings to their original defaults | Resets selected settings, including the default search engine, homepage and startup pages, new-tab page, pinned tabs, content settings, and extensions and themes. | Cookies and site data are affected. Bookmarks and saved passwords are not deleted or changed. This is not a full browser-data reset; fonts and accessibility settings are among the settings Google says are not reset. Source: Google Chrome Help. |
| Firefox: Refresh Firefox (desktop) | Creates a new profile and removes extensions and themes, website permissions, modified preferences, added search engines, and other customizations. | Bookmarks, browsing and download history, passwords, cookies, web-form autofill, and the personal dictionary are retained. The previous profile is saved in an “Old Firefox Data” folder on the desktop. Source: Mozilla Support. |
| Edge: Repair (Windows) | Repairs the Edge application through Windows Installed apps. | Microsoft says browser data and settings should not be affected. This is a repair, not a documented settings reset. Source: Microsoft Support. |
Reset Chrome settings
Chrome’s reset returns selected settings to their original defaults. It does not delete bookmarks or saved passwords, but extensions and themes are disabled or removed from the configuration and cookies and site data are affected. Review Google’s current description before confirming if you rely on particular settings.
- Open Chrome and select More (the three-dot menu).
- Select Settings > Reset settings.
- Choose Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Review the changes, then select Reset settings to confirm.
Google notes that not every setting is reset; fonts and accessibility settings are examples. For the full current list, see Restore Chrome settings to their default.
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Refresh Firefox on desktop
Firefox Refresh replaces the current profile with a new one and transfers selected personal information. It is available for desktop or laptop Firefox. Mozilla recommends trying Troubleshoot Mode first if you have many customizations, since Refresh removes extensions and other personal settings.
- Open the Firefox menu and select Help > More troubleshooting information.
- Select Refresh Firefox, confirm the prompt, and allow Firefox to close and restart.
- After Firefox reopens, check your settings and reinstall only extensions you trust.
The former profile is saved on your desktop in a folder named Old Firefox Data. It contains sensitive information; delete it when you no longer need it. Mozilla also cautions that add-ons installed in other locations may not be removed by Refresh, so this feature is not proof that every unwanted component is gone. If Refresh is unavailable with Firefox’s new profile management system, Mozilla says it may require updating to Firefox 150 or later; Firefox 150’s release date is April 21, 2026. See Mozilla’s Refresh Firefox instructions for details and current availability.
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Repair Microsoft Edge in Windows
Microsoft documents a repair workflow for Edge through Windows settings. It is not the same as resetting Edge settings: Microsoft says browser data and settings should not be affected by repair.
- Close Microsoft Edge.
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft Edge, select Modify, then choose Repair.
- Follow the on-screen prompts.
If Modify is unavailable because your organization manages Edge, contact your administrator. Microsoft’s documented procedure is at Edge troubleshooting. Clearing Edge browsing data is a separate action: choose the time range and data categories you intend to remove, and consider sync first. Microsoft explains how sync can affect cleared items on other devices in its browsing-data guidance.
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After the browser change: check what still controls it
- Review the homepage, startup pages, default search engine, extensions, and site notification permissions. Remove permissions for sites you do not recognize or trust.
- If ads appear only as notification alerts, review the browser’s site notification permissions rather than assuming an extension or system infection is responsible.
- If settings change back after you fix them, or a setting is controlled by an organization, a remaining program or policy may be involved. Revisit device security and seek trusted technical support instead of repeatedly resetting the browser.
- If symptoms continue, check the device and browser profile again. None of these browser operations guarantees complete adware removal.
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