How to Remove Mindspark Toolbar in 2024

Updated on: March 11, 2024
Fact Checked by Sam Boyd
Ana Jovanovic Ana Jovanovic
Updated on: March 11, 2024

Short on time? Here’s how to remove Mindspark Toolbar:

1. Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar — Uninstall the toolbar, then navigate into your default web browser’s extension/plug-in settings and remove any Mindspark extensions you’ve accidentally installed. Finally, restore your homepage and search engine to your default settings in your web browser’s settings menu.

2. Run a Full Scan of your Device — Use a quality antivirus such as Norton to scan your device and detect any malware or Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs).

3. Remove the Malware and PUPs — Once the scan is done, you can allow the antivirus to safely remove the infected files it found.

4. Avoid Further Infections — Keep yourself safe by choosing a reliable internet security suite. I really like Norton, which has flawless malware detection rates, real-time protection, and lots of other useful features like a password manager, a VPN, and parental controls. It comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

Mindspark Toolbar is a potentially unwanted program (PUP), browser hijacker, and adware that can collect your personal data, inject your web searches with artificial results, and redirect you to unsafe sites. Mindspark Toolbar can also change your web browser’s search engine to “Ask” and show a lot of annoying ads and banners while you’re surfing the web.

If you have Mindspark Toolbar on your device, it was probably bundled with pirated software or media you installed (you can also get PUPs like Mindspark Toolbar with free software or by accidentally downloading it from a suspicious website).

Luckily, removing it and other malware is easy if you follow the right steps. Depending on your operating system, you can uninstall Mindspark Toolbar manually by going into your Windows 10 or 11 “Settings” menu or by using “Finder” on Mac. However, you also need to remove any associated extensions from your web browser and reset your search bar and homepages to their default settings.

Once you’ve done this, you should download and install a comprehensive antivirus scanner to scan your device for malware and protect your computer from future PUPs and malware.

60-Days Risk-Free — Try Norton Now

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

Uninstalling Mindspark Toolbar varies depending on your operating system. Click on the operating system you have to jump to the appropriate step:

Windows 10 and 11

To remove Mindspark Toolbar on Windows 10 or 11, you have to access the “Apps and Features” (Windows 10) or “Installed apps” (Windows 11) menu. The easiest way to locate this menu is by using the search box on your computer’s toolbar.

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

Once you access the menu, you’ll see a list of all the installed apps on your PC. Scroll down the list until you see “Mindspark Toolbar”, click on it, and then click Uninstall. Alternatively, use the search box to locate Mindspark.

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

The process should only take a few minutes. Mindspark Toolbar will be removed when it’s done, but you need to check your web browser for accidentally installed extensions.

Mac

To remove Mindspark Toolbar on a Mac, you have to access “Finder”. To do this, from your desktop, click on the “Finder” icon on the Dock. In the window that appears, select Applications.

Note: By default, “Applications” will be under your “Favorites” menu.

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

This will bring up a list of all the installed apps on your Mac. Scroll down the list until you see “Mindspark Toolbar”. Once you see Mindspark Toolbar, drag it over the trash icon in the Dock, then drop it. Next, click and hold the trash icon until “Empty Trash” appears. Then, click Empty Trash.

Note: You can also open the Trash folder, click File, then Empty Trash.

Mindspark Toolbar will be removed when this is done, but you need to check your web browser for accidentally installed extensions. This process differs between Chromium-based browsers, Firefox, and Safari. If you’re a Chromium user, click here. Firefox users, click here. Safari users, click here.

Uninstalling Web Extensions in Chromium-Based Browsers (Including Chrome and Edge)

To check for and remove extensions from Chromium-based browsers (such as Chrome, Brave, and Edge), first click on the puzzle piece icon on your web browser’s toolbar. In the drop-down list that appears, click Manage extensions.

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

This will bring up a list of all extensions installed on your computer. Simply scroll through the list until you find any extension associated with Mindspark Toolbar, and click Remove.

You may be asked to confirm your selection. If so, allow the extension permission to uninstall. You’re now ready to reset your web browser’s default settings.

Uninstalling Web Extensions in Firefox

The process for uninstalling web extensions in Firefox differs slightly from Chromium-based browsers. First, click on the three horizontal lines in the top corner of the web browser’s toolbar. Then, in the drop-down list, click Add-ons and Themes (for a keyboard shortcut, hit CTRL+Shift+A)

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

Find any extensions associated with Mindspark in the list that appears, click the ellipses next to it, and then click Remove. You may be asked to confirm this selection. If so, be sure to give permission to remove the web extension.

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

Important Note: Don’t simply flick the switch next to the extension. This turns the extension off, but it doesn’t remove it. Make sure to click Remove. If done correctly, the extension should disappear from the list of enabled extensions. You’re now ready to reset your web browser’s default settings.

Resetting your Web Browser’s Default Settings in Chromium-Based Browsers and Firefox

The process for resetting your web browser’s default search engine and homepage is similar, but not exactly the same for Firefox and Chromium-based browsers. Click on the relevant link for the browser you use:

Chrome

To reset your default search engine and homepage in Chrome, click on the three horizontal lines on your toolbar and then click Settings at the very bottom of the menu.

Then, click on Search engine. Here, you’ll find a drop-down list where you can change the search engine to whatever you want, but I recommend sticking with Google.

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

Next, go to the “Search engine” tab and set the “On start-up” option to “Open the New Tab Page”.

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

Once you’ve done this, you’re ready to scan your computer with an antivirus.

Opera

Although Opera is a Chromium-based browser like Chrome, the process for resetting your web browser’s default search engine and homepage in it is slightly different from Chrome.

First, you need to click the 3 horizontal lines in the top right corner of your browser. Then, scroll all the way down, where you’ll find Opera’s Settings (they’re the last option on the list):

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

This will open a long list of Opera’s settings. Again, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the list to find the options to set your default search engine and change what happens on startup.

Once you’ve changed the options to their default settings (or whatever settings you like), you can run a full system scan on your computer.

Microsoft Edge

To reset your default search engine and homepage in Edge, click on the 3 horizontal dots in the upper right corner of your browser, and then click Settings. In the left-hand menu that appears, click Start, home, and new tabs. Here, choose what you want Edge to do on startup and your preferred search engine.

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

Once you’ve done this, you can run a full system scan using your chosen antivirus.

Firefox

To access startup options in Firefox, click on the 3 horizontal lines on your toolbar and click Settings. Then, click on the “Home” tab in the left-hand menu.

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

Once you’ve done this, proceed to “Search” to reset your default search engine:

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

Now that you’ve completed these steps, all instances of Mindspark Toolbar should be removed from your computer. However, since you’ve likely installed Mindspark accidentally, it’s difficult to know what else is on your computer. This is why you should next run a full system scan with an antivirus. Here’s how.

Uninstalling Web Extensions in Safari

To check for and remove extensions from Safari, first bring up the Safari drop-down menu in your web browser by clicking Safari (located at the top left of your screen). In the drop-down menu that appears, click Preferences and then click the “Extensions” tab.

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

Find any extensions associated with Mindspark in the list that appears, click on the extension, and click Uninstall.

You’ll be asked to confirm your selection. Click Uninstall, and Safari will remove the extension.

Important Note: Don’t simply uncheck the check box next to the extension. This turns the extension off, but it doesn’t remove it. Make sure to click Uninstall — if done correctly, the extension should disappear from the list of enabled extensions. You’re now ready to reset your web browser’s default settings.

Resetting your Web Browser’s Default Settings in Safari

To reset your web browser’s default search engine and homepage in Safari, first bring up the Safari drop-down menu in your web browser by clicking Safari (located at the top left of your screen). In the drop-down menu that appears, click Preferences, click the “General” tab, and enter your desired homepage in the field to the right of “Homepage”.

Note: You can also click Set to Current Page to change the homepage to the webpage you’re currently on.

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

Now, click on the “Search” tab, and in the dropdown list next to “Search,” choose your default search engine.

Preliminary Step: Uninstall Mindspark Toolbar

Now that you’ve completed these steps, all instances of Mindspark Toolbar should be removed from your computer. However, since you’ve likely installed Mindspark accidentally, it’s difficult to know what else is on your computer. This is why you should next run a full system scan with an antivirus. Here’s how.

Step 1. Run a Full System Scan With Your Antivirus

Firstly, you should make sure there are no USB storage devices attached to your computer. If you’ve accidentally installed malware on your system, it has likely replicated onto these devices. If you’ve had USB storage devices plugged in for a while, you can initiate your antivirus to scan them — but for now, it’s a good option just to keep them unplugged.

Open your antivirus (if you don’t have one, I recommend installing Norton), and click on the option to run a full system scan, which conducts a comprehensive scan of all of the files and processes on your computer. However, a full system scan takes up to 4 hours and may slow down your computer. So, try to schedule a scan at a time when you don’t need to use your computer.

The full system scan will check your entire computer for all instances of malware, including viruses, cryptojackers, rootkits, and more. Once it’s done, your antivirus scanner will place all the malware that it found in quarantine. But never end a scan early (even if your infected file appears on the list) — viruses can replicate, and completing a scan early risks leaving your computer infected.

Once the virus scan has been completed, you’re ready to proceed with the next step.

Step 2. Delete Any Infected Files

All of the infected files your antivirus scanner detected will be placed in your quarantine vault. While the quarantine list stops the virus from running, it’s still on your computer. You need to go through the quarantine list and remove every infection. Sometimes, you may find false positives on the list — these are safe files your antivirus scanner has flagged due to sharing common traits with malicious files. Advanced users can whitelist these false positives, but if you’re not an advanced user, your best bet is to just remove everything on the list.

Once everything has been removed from the infected file list, you need to restart your computer to make sure there’s no more malware on your system. Once your computer has restarted, it’s crucial to run a second full disk scan. It’s entirely possible (and likely) that the malware infection you had on your computer replicated before you had the chance to remove it. Thankfully, the second scan won’t take as long as the first one. Antiviruses like Norton remember what files have just been scanned and simply look for recent changes or modified files during a second scan.

If the second scan finds a virus infection, it means malware on your computer is replicating. You need to repeat this process until the virus infection no longer appears on your list (resetting your computer every time).

When there are finally no more infections appearing on the infected file list, your computer is safe. You next need to keep your device safe from other unwanted programs and malware.

Step 3. Keep Your Device Protected From Other Unwanted Programs

You now understand how easy it is to get an infection (whether a virus or PUP) on your computer. You’ve safely removed the infection, but you must take some precautionary steps to prevent a future infection and protect your devices from unwanted programs. Here’s how:

  • Keep Your Software, OS, and Drivers Up-To-Date. Make sure everything on your PC is up to date with the latest security patches. A vulnerability attack (or exploit) can happen when running outdated software. Luckily, many antiviruses, like Norton, come with a scanner that checks for outdated applications and drivers and updates them for you.
  • Don’t Download Suspicious Files. Downloading suspicious files from untrusted sources is one of the most common ways to get a virus infection or a PUP like Mindspark Toolbar. Always make sure you trust the sender of an email if they send an attachment or a link with their email. You can even ask the sender outside of email if they intentionally sent the attachment or link for extra security. If they didn’t, chances are their account has been compromised. Admittedly, this is time- and energy-consuming, so we recommend another, more efficient way to stay safe from virus infections — install a comprehensive antivirus program with real-time protection. Real-time protection scans every email you open and file you download and keeps your computer safe by intercepting malicious downloads and blocking dangerous sites.
  • Avoid Public Wireless Networks. When you visit a restaurant or coffee shop, chances are you’ll connect to their unsecured public Wi-Fi network — but hackers target these unprotected networks and can gain access to your personal information (passwords, social security number, etc) and also infect your device with malware. If you have to connect to an unsecured wireless network, make sure to protect your data with a good, low-cost VPN, such as ExpressVPN. Still, I recommend avoiding open networks altogether, and they’re really easy to spot — just look for the text “Open” and a shield icon warning next to it.
  • Secure Your Wireless Network and IoT Devices. Make sure your home network is secured by setting up a strong password. If you need to set a password, or improve an existing one, log into your router’s settings to update your password. You can either check the instruction manual that came with your router for exact instructions, or you can type the router’s brand and model number into your search engine to find instructions. All of your internet of things (IoT) devices need a good password to block hackers from accessing them, too. Without a secure password, cybercriminals can gain full control of these devices in your home. Like with your wireless network, set a secure password for your IoT devices by checking the model number online or in the device’s instruction manual. The best way to set secure passwords is to purchase a password manager like Dashlane, which can generate strong passwords for you and store them in an unbreakable vault.
  • Download a Secure Antivirus Program. Your final step to secure your computer is to download a robust and comprehensive antivirus program. My personal favorite is Norton, as it includes real-time protection, firewall, password manager, a secure VPN, and parental controls.

3 Best Antiviruses for Malware Scanning After Removing Mindspark Toolbar

Quick summary of the best antiviruses for removing Mindspark Toolbar:

  • 🥇 1. Norton — Best antivirus for removing Mindspark Toolbar, with top-notch adware protection.
  • 🥈 2. Bitdefender — Lightweight and cloud-based malware scanner with strong real-time protection.
  • 🥉 3. McAfee — Robust web protection for blocking sites containing the Mindspark Toolbar.

🥇1. Norton — Best Antivirus for Removing Mindspark Toolbar

Approved by our experts
Norton
Approved by our experts
Most readers pick Norton
Malware detection rate
100%
Key Features
AI-based scanner & VPN
Number of devices
Up to 10
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
60 Days
norton.com

Norton is my top choice for removing Mindspark Toolbar thanks to its exceptional adware protection, comprehensive web security, and versatile real-time protection.

Its antivirus scanner is second to none: during my evaluation, it had flawless detection rates, detecting every single adware sample I tested​. The scanner offers several scan options, including full system scans that delve into every corner of your device, quick scans for targeting areas most likely to harbor threats, and custom scans for specified folders or locations. Notably, its real-time protection feature ensures that threats are blocked immediately, preventing them from executing and causing harm.

🥇1. Norton — Best Antivirus for Removing Mindspark Toolbar

Norton’s web protection is a strong defense mechanism against online threats, incorporating the Safe Web browser extension to shield users from phishing sites and other malicious web pages. This extension, available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, proved highly effective in my testing, identifying nearly all phishing attempts, including those missed by Chrome. It goes beyond simple detection, offering detailed reports on blocked sites and allowing you to understand why a page was flagged in the first place.

Norton also has the following features:

  • Smart firewall. Provides more sophisticated protection than standard Windows and macOS firewalls.
  • Password manager. Norton’s password manager aids in creating, storing, and managing passwords securely​.
  • Cloud backup. Offers encrypted cloud storage, starting with 2 GB for Norton Antivirus Plus subscribers.
  • VPN (Virtual Private Network). Blocks ad trackers and allows for secure browsing, especially on public Wi-Fi networks​​.
  • Parental control. Includes content filtering and time management tools to help protect kids from inappropriate content and manage their screen time effectively​​.
  • Dark web monitoring. Scans the dark web for your personal information and alerts you if your data is found​​.

I particularly like Norton’s Secure VPN, which comes with unlimited data even on the lowest-tier plan. The VPN provides encrypted connections, ensuring your online activities remain private and secure from prying eyes — especially on public Wi-Fi networks where vulnerabilities are more pronounced.

Norton’s plans offer a range of options to suit different needs and budgets. For most users, the Norton 360 Deluxe plan is the best choice. This plan combines Norton’s high-level security features, including the antivirus scanner, web protection, and real-time protection, with additional benefits such as 50 GB of cloud backup and parental controls. Priced competitively, the 360 Deluxe plan provides comprehensive protection for 5 devices, making it an ideal option for families or individuals with several devices to secure. All Norton plans come with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

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🥈2. Bitdefender —  Lightweight Malware Scanner and Strong Real-Time Protection

Malware detection rate
100%
Key Features
Cloud-based scanner
Number of devices
Up to 10
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
bitdefender.com

Bitdefender is another top antivirus for staying safe from adware such as Mindspark Toolbar. With one of the best malware detection rates in the industry (comparable only to Norton), Bitdefender consistently caught 100% of malware samples in my testing.

Its antivirus scanner is lightweight, yet powerful. It offers various scan options, which can also be easily customized. During the scans, I didn’t notice any system slowdowns whatsoever.

Bitdefender Shield is another great security feature. It operates quietly in the background until you try to download or install a suspicious file (such as Mindspark Toolbar). It then springs into action, removing the dangerous file before it can cause any damage.

🥈2. Bitdefender —  Lightweight Malware Scanner and Strong Real-Time Protection

Bitdefender’s antivirus packages also come with:

  • Firewall.
  • System optimization tool.
  • Secure web browser.
  • Password manager.
  • VPN (200 MB daily on most plans).
  • Anti-theft protection.
  • Webcam and mic protection.

Bitdefender’s secure web browser, called Safepay, is a cool inclusion for anyone worried about keeping their personal info safe during online transactions. Safepay shields you from prying eyes by blocking remote desktop access and preventing screen captures, and the addition of the password manager is great for anyone wanting to make password protection feel more secure.

The virtual keyboard is excellent, too, especially if you’re concerned about keyloggers capturing your details. And the VPN feature, though limited to 200 MB daily, is a nice bonus for a bit of extra privacy. On the flip side, Safepay isn’t perfect – expect some slower page loads and don’t count on it for HD streaming. But for secure shopping or banking, it does the job well. It’s not going to replace your main browser, but for that extra security layer, Safepay is a solid choice.

There are 3 main Bitdefender plans, Antivirus Plus, Internet Security, and Total Security. They’re all good options, but I think Total Security is the best-value for most. It includes coverage for up to 5 Windows, iOS, Android, or Mac devices and has all of the security features discussed above. All of the plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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🥉3. TotalAV — Robust Web Protection and Great Ad Blocker

Malware detection rate
99.60%
Key Features
Beginner-friendly apps
Number of devices
Up to 6
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
totalav.com

TotalAV utilizes Avira’s powerful anti-malware engine and it has near-perfect malware detection rates (99.6% in my tests). It provides strong security against a variety of threats, including viruses, ransomware, spyware, and more​.

I really like TotalAV’s real-time malware protection, which runs constantly in the background and ensures viruses are stopped before they can cause any damage. When I tested it, it immediately quarantined multiple malware samples I tried to download. It also alerted me when I attempted to extract data from a downloaded zip file containing even more malware samples. Additionally, it successfully blocked a ransomware simulator by recognizing its encryption process, preventing system file lock-up. This performance places TotalAV on par with leading competitors such as Norton and Bitdefender.

🥉3. TotalAV — Robust Web Protection and Great Ad Blocker

You also get a range of additional features:

  • System tune-up tools.
  • Safe Browsing VPN.
  • Identity theft protection (US only).
  • Password manager.

I really liked Total Password, TotalAV’s solution for securely storing your passwords. Although it’s not as feature-rich as the best standalone password managers, it does have all the options you’ll need for everyday use.

TotalAV offers 3 paid plans that all come with the anti-malware scanner, real-time protection, and anti-phishing protection needed to keep you safe from adware such as Mindspark Toolbar. However, only the Total Security plan comes with the password manager and TotalAV’s excellent ad blocker. I’m also disappointed that none of TotalAV’s plans have a firewall. That said, all TotalAV products have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Save 84% on TotalAV Antivirus Pro!
You can save 84% if you act right now.

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Comparison of the Best Antiviruses for Removing Mindspark Toolbar in 2024

Antivirus Starting Price Firewall VPN Free Version Money-Back Guarantee
1.🥇Norton $54.99 / year* ✅ Unlimited data 60 days
2.🥈Bitdefender $17.49 / year  ✅ 200 MB/day on most plans 30 days
3.🥉TotalAV $19.00 / year ✅ Unlimited data 30 days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mindspark toolbar?

Mindspark Toolbar is an adware application and browser extension that changes your search results, alters your homepage and search engine, and steals your browsing data. Mindspark Toolbar can also inject sponsored results into search engine results and show annoying advertisements while you browse the web.

If you’ve downloaded Mindspark Toolbar by accident, chances are you have more malware infections on your computer that you must remove. First, you should uninstall the Mindspark Toolbar. Then, run a full system scan using a comprehensive antivirus suite like Norton.

Is Mindspark Toolbar a virus?

Mindspark Toolbar isn’t a virus. However, it can be classified as both a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware. Mindspark Toolbar won’t damage your computer, but it will steal your browsing data, change your search results, clutter your computer with pop-ups, and redirect you to unsafe websites.

If you’ve been infected with an adware file like Mindspark, chances are you have more PUPs and malware files on your system — like trojans, rootkits, or computer worms. So, you should follow our steps to secure your computer from future threats. The best way to keep your browser and desktop free from malware infection is to download a high-quality antivirus program like Norton, which can detect and remove every type of malware in real-time with its advanced antivirus scanner.

How does Mindspark get installed?

PUPS such as Mindspark Toolbar are often bundled alongside other freeware applications, pirated content, and malicious programs. Mindspark victims are usually tricked into installing the toolbar themselves when they think they’re getting cool free programs and pirated media. Fortunately, once you realize you’ve been compromised, it’s pretty easy to uninstall Mindspark.

To avoid installing adware like Mindspark Toolbar and other malware in the future, never download any files or click on links from untrustworthy sites. To be honest, you should never download anything on your computer without having a trustworthy antivirus package (such as Norton). Norton’s real-time protection tool can intercept dangerous downloads containing PUPs such as Mindspark Toolbar and stop you from installing them on your computer.

Best Antivirus Programs to Remove Mindspark Toolbar in 2024 — Final Score:

Our Rank
Our Score
Best Deal
1
9.8
save 58%
2
9.6
save 50%
3
9.4
save 84%
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About the Author
Ana Jovanovic
Updated on: March 11, 2024

About the Author

Ana Jovanovic is an editor at SafetyDetectives. She has nearly a decade of experience editing, proofreading, fact-checking, and rewriting content for dozens of websites covering various topics, including two dedicated to antiviruses, VPNs, parental controls, and password managers. Prior to joining the SafetyDetective team, she led a team of SEO content editors working in several niches, including cybersecurity, finance, and technology. Ana has also worked in printed media and the book publishing industry as an editor and translator. When she's not working, she enjoys reading, cooking, and taking care of her plants — she has over a hundred of them!