Uninstall Yoga Search Extension (Browser Hijacker/PUP)

What is Yoga Search Extension? And how does it work?

Yoga Search Extension is a suspicious browser extension for Google Chrome. One of the things that make this extension dubious is the fact that it’s not even available on the Chrome Web Store even though it is specifically made for Google Chrome browser. Aside from that, this extension sneaks its way into your computer without you noticing which is why it belongs to the category of browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs.
After its successful infiltration, it replaces your current home page and search provider with the EZ Search page which provides you search results from Yahoo. So every time you open your browser or a new tab, you will be forced to use EZ Search. Not only that but it also modifies the Chrome shortcuts so that it can forcefully load when the Chrome starts.
You can’t find anything useful with this extension as it only focuses on delivering you sponsored results rather than the related ones to the search query you were looking for so that it can generate more profit from pay-per-click ads. Some of these ads are harmful as it leads you to highly suspicious website that may contain harmful computer parasites. These sites might lure you into using spyware variants, or worse, malware. That’s why when you find yourself getting redirected to any suspicious site, you must close the browser immediately and perform Yoga Search Extension removal.

How is Yoga Search Extension disseminated online if it’s not available on the Chrome Web Store?

As expected, since Yoga Search Extension is not available in the Chrome Web Store, it is bundled with other programs in a software bundle. Usually, software bundles do not adequately disclose that other programs would be installed along with the software you want to install. Thus, paying attention to the installation process is important and that you must choose the Custom or Advanced installation options to get rid of the extra programs attached to the bundle.
Follow the detailed and long process below to remove the Yoga Search Extension from your browser and computer.
Step 1: Launch Google Chrome.
Step 2: Click the wrench icon. And from the drop-down menu click on Tools and then select Extensions.

Step 3: Under the Extensions tab, select Yoga Search Extension and other suspicious browser extensions related to it and then click on the Trash icon.

Step 4: Click on Remove button from the confirmation dialog box.

Step 5: Reset Google Chrome. To do that, click the three stripes icon located at the upper-right corner of your screen. And then select Settings.

Step 6: under Settings, look for Show advanced settings at the bottom of the page and click on it.

Step 7: Then click on the Reset browser settings button.

Step 8: After that, a dialog box pops up, click the Reset button to Reset Chrome.

Step 9: After you reset Chrome, enable the Phishing and Malware Protection in Chrome to prevent browser hijackers like Yoga Search Extension from infecting your computer again in the future. To do that, click Settings once again.
Step 10: Select the Show advanced settings again.
Step 11: Go to the Privacy section and check the Enable phishing and malware protection option.

Step 12: Restart Chrome.
Step 13: Delete the Google Chrome.lnk shortcut on your Desktop and then tap Win + E to open File Explorer.
Step 14: Type in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\ into the bar at the top. Windows XP users need to enter %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\ in the address bar.
Step 15: Open the default folder and if there is a profile folder under a unique name, open it. Under this folder, open the Extensions folder and delete monofccdhloinbmmgindaeiejebknmdc or ikmapcaeknfgfmjlibnhcbchfablckbpa.
Step 16: Tap Win + E again and go to the following locations and delete the folders named WS and EZSearch.

%Temp%
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)% (or %PROGRAMFILES% )

The next step below is not recommended for you if you don’t know how to navigate the Registry Editor. Making registry changes can highly impact your computer. So it is highly advised to use PC Cleaner Pro instead to get rid of the entries that Yoga Search Extension had created. So if you are not familiar with the Windows Registry, skip to Step 12 onwards.

However, if you are well-versed in making registry adjustments, then you can proceed.
Step 17: Tap Win + R to open Run and then type in regedit in the field and tap enter to open the Registry Editor.
Step 18: Navigate to the following paths:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\WindowService
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WindowService

Step 19: Under the paths listed above, delete the following keys you can find on those locations created by Yoga Search Extension:

EZSearch
WindowService

Step 20: Close the Registry Editor and empty your Recycle Bin.
Follow the continued advanced steps below to ensure the removal of the Yoga Search Extension and its components:
Perform a full system scan using SpyRemover Pro. To do so, follow these steps:

Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.

To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
Windows will now load the Safe Mode with Networking.
Press and hold both R key and Windows key.

If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
Type in explorer http://www.fixmypcfree.com/install/spyremoverpro

A single space must be in between explorer and http. Click OK.

A dialog box will be displayed by Internet Explorer. Click Run to begin downloading the program. Installation will start automatically once download is done.