Saturday, November 17, 2012

How To Remove uTorrent Toolbar - utorrentcontrol_v2

Latest versions of popular BitTorrent client, µTorrent seems to be bundled with toolbar, customized web search and µTorrent search for homepage. Everybody hates web browser hijacking. Since there are no uninstall options for these toolbars I decided to write down a fast solution to this problem.
µTorrent installer covers all major web browser, fix for three most popular browsers will be covered, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.


Disclaimer

I take no responsibility for any damages to your data, hardware or any other kind of goods, that are caused by actions in this instructable. Everything that you do is your choice.

Removing uTorrent Toolbar - Microsoft Internet Explorer

To remove uTorrentControl_v2 Toolbar from your Internet Explorer follow these simple steps.
uTorrentControl_v2 Toolbar files are located in  C:\Program Files\uTorrentControl_v2\ or C:\Program Files(x86)\uTorrentControl_v2\
By navigating to this folder you will find an uninstaller for uTorrentControl_v2 Toolbar. Run it. Toolbar will uninstall but it will leave prxtbuTor.dll file. Just delete uTorrentControl_v2 folder in your Program Files folder. Internet Explorer needs to be closed to delete prxtbuTor.dll file.
For the hijacked home page simply go to Internet Explorer, Tools (small gear wheel, far right side of the window) and choose Internet Options, or pres Windows key + R and type inetcpl.cpl. After that, just type internet address of website that you want for your home page.

Removing uTorrent Toolbar -Mozilla Firefox

Firefox is hijacked in three ways. You get a uTorrentControl_v2 Toolbar, default search engine is changed to uTorrent Customized Search and your home page is changed.
To disable Toolbar, click Firefox button (top left corner) and choose Add-ons. In Extensions section choose uTorrent Toolbar and remove it or disable it.
For the search engine, just choose the one that you like from the drop down list next to a search text box. If you want to permanently remove it, choose Manage Search Engines... option from the bottom of the drop down list. After that, just choose search engine that you want to remove and hit Remove button (hello Mr. Obvious :) ).
To change home page click Firefox button (top left corner) and choose Options. In General tab set desired URL for home page.


Removing uTorrent Toolbar - Google Chrome

Your Chrome gets hijacked with uTorrentControl_v2 Toolbar and by having your homepage changed.
To disable uTorrentControl_v2 Toolbar click Customize and control Google Chrome (top right button with three horizontal lines on it) and choose Settings. In Extensions section disable or remove uTorrent Toolbar. While in Options go to settings section and set homepage of your choice. It can be done by selecting one of the three radio buttons, Open the New Tab Page, Continue where I left off  and last Open a specific page or set of pages where you can set custom URL for your home page.

Conclusion

It is done! Not much of a conclusion :) Feel free to enjoy your browser without annoying uTorrent Toolbar, home page and "customized search". Come again and read more of my fast solutions!