Winload Toolbar

Winload Toolbar is a new type of browser extension that belongs to the Conduit family. Despite the fact that we know what to expect from it already, there are some major changes, differentiating it from previously released Conduit toolbars. Before Winload Toolbar was released, we have encountered such potentially unwanted programs as Brothersoft Toolbar, Video Converter Toolbar, Fox News Toolbar and many others. Winload Toolbar is also created via Conduit platform, but the main difference is that this toolbar’s interface is in German, and it comes with additional programs different from the ones that arrive with other Conduit toolbars. Either way, you are highly advised to remove Winload Toolbar from your computer in order to avoid potential security risks.

Due to the fact that the toolbar’s installation wizard is entirely in German, some users (especially those who are not fluent in German) may go through it automatically, thus installing all the additional features you neither need nor want. The word “installing” is used on purpose here, because that is what this article is all about – Winload Toolbar is a potentially dangerous application, but it is not a computer infection, because users install this browser extension on their browsers themselves. Usually this extension can be downloaded from the official website at winload-toolbar.winload.de, but it is also possible for the toolbar to arrive bundled with free software applications that users download from third party websites.

If you install the full version of Winload Toolbar, you will also end up installing Optimizer Pro scareware that is supposed to optimize your system performance, but it only tries to convince you that your system is full of errors and you need to purchase the full version of Optimizer Pro to fix them. Next, the extension of the German version of the Amazon website will be added to your browser, and your default home page will be changed to search.conduit.com. Not to mention that each time you open your browser, you will be presented with two tabs – one for search.conduit.com, the other for giga.de.

It goes without saying that Winload Toolbar comes with a bunch of annoying specifications and it may also be responsible for malware infection getting into your system further on, so it will be for the best to remove Winload Toolbar from your computer right now. Follow the instructions below to terminate the extension manually.

Manual Winload Toolbar removal

Windows 8

1. Move mouse cursor to the bottom right of the screen.
2. Click Settings and go to Control Panel.
3. Open Uninstall a program and remove Winload Toolbar, Optimizer Pro and Conduit Engine.

Windows Vista & Windows 7

1. Open Start menu and click Control Panel.
2. Go to Uninstall a program and remove Optimizer Pro, Conduit Engine and Winload Toolbar.

Windows XP

1. Open Start Menu and go to Control Panel.
2. Select Add or remove programs and uninstall Winload Toolbar, Conduit Engine and Optimizer Pro.

How to restore browser settings

Internet Explorer

1. Press Alt+X and go to Internet options.
2. Under General tab home page section, click Use default. Click OK.
3. Press Alt+X and click Manage add-ons.
4. Click Search Providers on the left.
5. Set a new default search engine and remove Winload Customized web search.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press Firefox button and go to Options.
2. Under General tab home page section press Restore to Default button and click OK.
3. Press Ctrl+Shift+A and Add-ons manager tab will open.
4. Remove Amazon icon from Extensions and restart your browser.

Google Chrome

1. Press Alt+F and click Tools.
2. Go to Extensions and remove Amazon icon.
3. Click Settings on the left.
4. Select Open a specific page or set of pages under On Startup.
5. Click Set pages. Remove giga.de, enter a new home page address and click OK.

If you still notice various system discrepancies even after manual removal, then scan your PC with SpyHunter free scanner, and make sure that you have no other potentially dangerous programs on board. Also, if you cannot terminate Winload Toolbar on your own, do not hesitate to ask for help by leaving a comment below.