Search Enhancement by AOL Search
What is Search Enhancement by AOL Search?
This URL Search Hook and BHO for Internet Explorer is designed to modify the user's search provider and home page to point to aolsearch.com. This is completely optional and typically a potentially unwanted behavior. AOL's search page is powered by Google and by using this web page AOL generates additional revenue through advertising.
Overview
It adds a Browser Helper Object (BHO) to Internet Explorer. The main program executable is AOLSearch.dll.
- Loads into the web browser
- Difficult to remove as it will reinstall itself
- May modify the web browser's home page
Program details
URL: www.aolsearch.com
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\aol\aol search enhancement
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\AOL\AOL Search Enhancement\uninst.exe
Files installed by Search Enhancement by AOL Search
| Program module: | AOLSearch.dll |
| Name: | AOL Search |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\aol\aol search enhancement\AOLSearch.dll |
| MD5: | ceb266e185ccb8a962f26709649c6be0 |
Additional files:
-
AOLSearch.dll (by America Online) - AOL Search
-
uninst.exe
Behaviors exhibited
Internet Explorer BHO
- AOLSearch.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'AOLSearchHook Class' with the class of {54EB34EA-E6BE-4CFD-9F4F-C4A0C2EAFA22} (AOL Search Enhancement).
Internet Explorer URL Search Hook
- AOLSearch.dll loads into IE as a URL Search Hook named 'AOLSearchHook Class' with a class of {54EB34EA-E6BE-4CFD-9F4F-C4A0C2EAFA22} in order to redirect unknown URL searches.
How do I remove Search Enhancement by AOL Search?
You can uninstall Search Enhancement by AOL Search from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.
- On the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then, under Programs, do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall a Program.
- Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.
- When you find the program Search Enhancement by AOL Search, click it, and then do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall.
- Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).
- Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove Search Enhancement by AOL Search.
- If for some reason uninstallation fails, please install Microsoft's uninstall fixer utility which will help fix problems with programs that can't be uninstalled at support.microsoft.com.
How do I reset my web browser?
If your web browser homepage and search settings have been modfied by Search Enhancement by AOL Search you can restore them to their previous default settings.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Open Internet Explorer and click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.
- Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset. Select the Delete personal settings check box if you would also like to remove search providers, Accelerators and home pages. When Internet Explorer finishes applying default settings, click Close, and then click OK.
- The changes will take effect the next time you open IE.
Mozilla Firefox
- At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button, go over to the Help sub-menu and select Troubleshooting Information.
- To continue, click Reset Firefox in the confirmation window that opens. It will close and be reset.
- When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click Finish and Firefox will open.
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome and click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar.
- Select Settings. In the "Search" section, click Manage search engine. Check if (Default) is displayed next to your preferred search engine. If not, mouse over it and click Make default. Mouse over any other suspicious search engine entries that are not familiar and click X to remove them.
- When the "Show Home button" checkbox is selected, a web address appears below it. If you want the Homepage button to open up a different webpage, click Change to enter a link.
- Restart Google Chrome.
USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 53%
Keep it 47%
|
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US RANK
 #37,676
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AVERAGE INSTALL LIFESPAN
306.05
Days
|
Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows XP |
76.19% |
|
| Windows 7 |
19.05% |
|
| Windows Vista |
4.76% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Microsoft Windows XP |
76.19% |
|
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
14.29% |
|
| Windows 7 Professional |
4.76% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Premiu... |
4.76% |
|
Geography
81.82% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
81.82% |
| Canada |
9.09% |
| Indonesia |
3.03% |
| Mexico |
3.03% |
| PR |
3.03% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Sony |
85.00% |
|
| Intel |
5.00% |
|
| Dell |
5.00% |
|
| Acer |
5.00% |
|
Common models |
| Sony VGX-XL2A |
5.56% |
|
| Sony VGN-Z550N |
5.56% |
|
| Sony VGN-SZ381P |
5.56% |
|
| Sony VGN-SZ230P |
5.56% |
|
| Sony VGN-SZ110 |
5.56% |
|
| Sony VGN-S660 |
5.56% |
|
About AOL
America Online develops, grows, and invests in brands and sites.
Publisher URL: corp.aol.com