Avoid Archives

How to Remove Toolbars

Internet, Security, SoftwareAvoid, Remove, security, ToolbarOphtek, LLC

Sep 2014

Browser toolbars entice you with safety and promised convenience. In reality, they should be avoided as much as possible. Here’s how to remove toolbars.

Hopefully, your web browser doesn’t look like the one above. If so, something drastic is in order to restore an smooth web browsing experience.

Though initially designed to enhance a user’s web browsing experience, the reality is toolbars are piggy- backed by malware, data mining or browser hijacking to steal the user’s information. In addition, they burden your processor and memory with an extra, unnecessary application.

Here are three ways to remove toolbars.

1.) Uninstall them as applications from the Control Panel

After selecting Control Panel from the Start menu, choose either Programs and Features or Uninstall a Program, depending on the menu you are presented with.

From the list of programs that appear, find the one that looks like the toolbar. Sometimes it can be tricky, as the name can be different.

Click Uninstall from the top menu. If you are presented with a User Account Control warning, click OK or Yes to allow Windows to uninstall.

2.) Toolbars in browsers can be disabled

In Internet Explorer, click either the gear icon or Tools and select Manage add- ons.

In the Add-on Types menu on the left, choose Toolbars and Extensions.

Select each toolbar and click Disable in the bottom right corner.

In Google Chrome, select Settings or Tools then Extensions.

Select the extensions that are the toolbars and click Remove.

For some Chrome browsers, there will be a trashcan icon insread of the Remove prompt.

In Firefox, select Add- ons then Extensions.

You navigate there by typing about:addons in the address bar. Click the toolbar you wish to remove and click Remove.

3.) Browsers can be restored to their factory default states

You are best advised to backup your bookmarks or any other setting you wish to retain from the browser.

In Internet Explorer, select Internet Options and the Advanced tab.

Click Reset and click to confirm.

In Google Chrome, click Settings and show advanced settings.

Click Reset browser settings.

In Firefox, select Help denoted by the ? icon.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Click Reset Firefox.

For more information about toolbars or other issues affecting your PC, consult your local IT professional.

Microsoft Update Breaks Office 2013 – KB2971668

Office IT, Repairs and Upgrades, SoftwareAvoid, Office 2013, Uninstall, update, WindowsOphtek, LLC

Jun 2014

Do you have Microsoft Office 2013? If so, read on before you install the latest Windows updates released on June 10, 2014 which could break your Office install.

Many users have been reporting this update has been causing stability issues in Office 2013. Some worst case scenarios involve having to completely re-install Office 2013 after the update.

All Onsite PC Solution managed services clients will be protected during their monthly routine maintenance.

If you haven’t installed the updates for June 10-11th

You can selectively filter out the updates for Office 2013 by following these steps:

First, if Windows is offering you updates, click the update prompt at the bottom of the screen shown above. This will bring you to the Update Center.

Do not summarily click the Install Updates box. Instead click the important updates that are available and review them.

Uncheck any updates that mention Microsoft Office 2013 or KB2971668. Click Install. When you are sent back to the Update Center, go through the same steps for the optional updates that you went through for the important updates. In the optional updates, we recommend not installing anything related to Bing as these are unnecessary and may slow your computer down. Finally, click Install to go back again to the Update Center, then click Install Updates.

This will give you all the latest updates for Windows without the problematic update that may corrupt your Office 2013 installation.

If you already installed the update and Office 2013 is broken

First uninstall the update. To do this, click the Start button and select Control Panel.

Next click either Uninstall a Program or Programs and Features.

In the Programs and Features window, click View installed updates.

From the list of installed updates, find any that involve Office 2013 dated June 10-11 2014 or KB2971668. Click to highlight them. Then, when given the prompt, uninstall them.

After you uninstall all the Office 2013 updates dated the week of June 10th 2014, you will need to completely remove Office using the steps in this article.

For more information, consult your local IT professionals.

Tag Archives: Avoid

1.) Uninstall them as applications from the Control Panel

2.) Toolbars in browsers can be disabled

3.) Browsers can be restored to their factory default states

If you haven’t installed the updates for June 10-11th

If you already installed the update and Office 2013 is broken