Simple New Tab

We deal with potentially unwanted programs (PUP) far more often than one might think. Simple New Tab is a potentially unwanted application, too. The PUP category is a particular gray zone because it is sometimes unclear what can be considered a potentially unwanted program. To be honest, such applications like Simple New Tab are not malicious, but they often indulge in advertising and unwanted behavior that should not be tolerated. Users have to consider their computer and private information security, and if it is possible to ensure by removing a few unwanted applications, then it is definitely something you should do.

If you are wondering how Simple New Tab entered your system, then we are forced to tell you that you must have installed this application yourself. The program is distributed via simplenewtab.com, and you can find more information about the application on the site. However, if you were to look through all the text on the site, you would find some discrepancies that eventually would dent your trust in this application. For instance, the main promotional tagline on the page reads as follows:

Allows you to customize the new tab URL. Click the options to change the URL. This extension allows you to customize the new tab URL. Click the options to change the URL. And when you open a new tab it will load the URL you specified. By default it loads “about:newtab” page.

No reliable program would have such a repetitive and redundant promotional tagline. Not to mention that the function of this application is highly questionable. Yes, it is true that by default the new tab loads the about:newtab page, but you can also modify it according to your likes and preferences through your browser’s settings. Thus, technically, there is no reason to install this application because it cannot provide you with anything original.

On the contrary, Simple New Tab might expose you to unreliable content via third party advertising. Not to mention that it does not seem to allow you to set your new tab settings to the site you prefer. No matter which URL you might set in the settings, each and every iteration of this application in Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer would eventually redirect you to search.socialdownloadr.com. This is a website of yet another potentially unwanted application that computer security experts recommend to remove. The site you get redirected to promotes SocialDownloadr Toolbar, and this browser extension can also be involved in third party advertising.

During our research, we have also found that there are several variations of this application. Depending on the version of Simple New Tab you have installed on your system, you might get redirected to different websites. For example, users have reported redirections to search.fbdownloader.com/ as well. Therefore, it should be obvious that this application is not 100% reliable, and if you are not careful enough, you might accidentally land on a site that is associated with fishy marketing techniques.

One of the most annoying things about Simple New Tab is that you cannot remove it via Control Panel. This means that you need to delete all the file folders and registry entries manually to get rid of the application. Resetting your browser would not help because the program affects only the new tab page, and in some cases looks like a DLL inject. Thus, it only changes the URL when you open a new tab, and resetting your browser would not affect this.

If you are willing to try the manual removal, you can find the instructions right below this article. However, we would strongly suggest investing in a licensed antispyware tool that would do the job for you. Not to mention that there might be more unwanted applications on your computer right now as Simple New Tab often comes bundled with freeware. Therefore, instead of deleting just this one application, how about you kill two birds with one stone and terminate all the potential threats automatically.

Acquiring a powerful antispyware application is one of the best ways to protect your computer from harm. Aside from relying on a professional security tool, you should also think of employing safe web browsing habits. Stay away from unfamiliar websites that are full of pop-ups. Avoid downloading programs from third party sources, and if you need an application be sure to download it from its official homepage.

How to Delete Simple New Tab

1. Press Win+R and enter %AppData%. Click OK.
2. Delete the simple_new_tab folder in the directory.
3. Go to Local and open the Google folder.
4. Double-click Chrome and open User Data.
5. Select Default and delete simple_new_tab.
6. Go to Extensions and delete the pmgkeimkiojpjcoiiipekfjaopchhjga folder.
7. Press Win+R again and type regedit. Press OK.
8. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software and delete the SimpleNewTab key.
9. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer.
10. Open the Approved Extensions extensions.
11. Delete the {5C2DD58F-613F-4580-8AC0-F10D760AF938} class ID on the right pane.
12. Go back to the Internet Explorer key and open Extensions.
13. Delete the {59F39B89-94C3-44C5-B903-9A6B85C32921} class ID.
14. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects.
15. Delete the {5C2DD58F-613F-4580-8AC0-F10D760AF938} key.
16. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects.
17. Delete the {5C2DD58F-613F-4580-8AC0-F10D760AF938} key.