Default Homepage and Search Engine Keep Changing

[NRALIFR]

In IE, my default home page and search engine keeps reverting back to msn.com and google. I don't want either of these to be the defaults, but no matter how I often change them to my preferred settings, they keep changing back. It's not that I don't know how to change them, I've got that.

I think whatever google malware is changing the search engine would also like to change the homepage to google.com, but the MS malware wins that argument and sets it to msn.com.

There are some things I have to use IE for. Is there any way to stop this nonsense?

:):)

[NRALIFR]

I just did a system restore back to about 10 days ago, and that seems to have resolved the problem. My IE homepage and default search engine stay the way I want them. Even across a power off/on. I don't know what caused this, but I'm hopeful it's behind me now.

Thanks for all the help.

:):)

[1492]

There were some recent updates of IE which could have been corrupted during the download? In any case, a full re-install may be necessary. You can find the full executables here for IE11 or IE10.

WIN 8/8.1 is a little different. You turn IE off and re-boot to uninstall. When you turn it back on, it will re-install.

[shakyjay]

Since you mentioned shareware installs you might want to check and see if you have the StartNow toolbar. I know there were some complaints with downloads through CNet at one time where the StartNow toolbar was included and would reset homepage to MSN and search to Bing. Article on Cnet StartNow.

[NRALIFR]

Thanks. I ran AdwCleaner and it removed some stuff, but didn't fix the problem. I think you're correct that there are corrupted files because I then downloaded and installed Chrome, and it said my settings files were corrupted or invalid, so it couldn't recover my personal settings. Probably something some shareware did during it's install. I don't always catch the "extra" little features and benefits they're forcing on you if you don't un-check all the boxes.

No other way to fix that than a re-install huh?

:):)

[1492]

Then I'd download and run AdwCleaner. It's portable, and doesn't need to be installed. Some PUPs can interfere with browser functions. You do a scan first, which gives you options on which files to delete. Then do the actual Clean and need to reboot your system.

If it doesn't find anything, its quite possible your core IE files are corrupt, in which case you may want to try a re-install.

[NRALIFR]

I even tried locking down the homepage in the registry, and it STILL changed back to msn.com after a reboot! :M

DAGNABBIT!!!

:M:M

[NRALIFR]

shakyjay wrote:
May sound like a silly question but when you make changes using Tools>Internet Options>General are you clicking on the Apply button?

Yes. There are at least three places you can a access those settings:

1- From the Menu bar in IE

2- From the Command bar in IE

3- From the "Internet Options" selection under Control Panel from the Start menu.

I can change it in one place then go look at the settings in another place and they're back to msn and google. :M

:):)

[NRALIFR]

1492 wrote:
I doubt it has anything to do with Google or MSN directly. Sometimes your IE settings get corrupted. I would do a "Reset" including personal settings under Tools>Internet Options>Advanced. Doing so should not effect your favorites(bookmarks), but you may want to export them to a file first as a backup.

I tried the reset including personal settings and then set the homepage and search engine back to what I wanted. It stayed that way until I rebooted the laptop again. Then it was back to msn.com and google. I can't imagine this being from anything else BUT msn and google. The msn.com site it's opening is legit, and the google search results are legit.

I guess I'll just have to learn to live with it.

I appreciate the help just the same.

:):)

[ReadyToGo]

1. If you had a browser hijack, all the virus/malware etc will not find it.
2. Look at the properties of the Icon for IE. I had one situation recently where the home page change was added onto the exe. that took me a while to find.(about 1 percent chance of that being it).
3. It would be unlikely to be a hijack as they want you to use their home page and search engine. UNLESS you are not getting to the real MSN home page or Google search engine.
Just some random thoughts.

[shakyjay]

May sound like a silly question but when you make changes using Tools>Internet Options>General are you clicking on the Apply button?

[1492]

I doubt it has anything to do with Google or MSN directly. Sometimes your IE settings get corrupted. I would do a "Reset" including personal settings under Tools>Internet Options>Advanced. Doing so should not effect your favorites(bookmarks), but you may want to export them to a file first as a backup.

[HappyKayakers]

I would check add-ons within IE first to see if one of them might be the culprit. Then I would check other programs set to run at startup (from msconfig). Anything unidentifiable I would uncheck, one at a time with restart, and see if it made any difference.

[NRALIFR]

darsben wrote:

2oldman wrote:
I don't know, but changing your browser to Chrome would be a good start.

He said he HAD TO USE IE EXPLORER FOR SOMETHINGS perhaps you missed that part

ActiveX, for one thing. :M

:):)

[NRALIFR]

2oldman wrote:
Google: default home page msn reverting

Thanks. I'll take a look through those and see if any will help.

It's really frustrating when these companies like MS, google, yahoo, bing, etc won't let you set these so-called preferences to your liking and stay that way.

And yes, it's msn.com, a totally worthless site I have no use for. MSM is that stuff I take for my aching joints. 😞

:):)