Tool bars are those bars that go across the top of your browser window. No browser, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome, is safe from toolbars. Fortunately toolbars are relatively easy to prevent and get rid of. Below we'll talk about how toolbars get installed (even when you didn't ask for them) and then how to remove them when they get a little overwhelming.
So where do all these toolbars come from anyway? The most likely culprit is from software you're downloading and installing. What happens when you go through the typical install process is that all of the default installation settings are used. This means that if there is a toolbar as part of the software installation process, it's installed without your knowledge. This is a fixable problem! Use the advanced installation process when putting new software into your computer. You can select all of the defaults and just uncheck the boxes that offer you free toolbars or other software that you don't necessarily need or want.
Okay, so now that you can prevent toolbars from sneaking up on you, lets talk about how to get rid of the ones you've got. Most toolbars can be removed using the Add/Remove Software tool in the Control Panel. This tool can be handy for more than just toolbars mind you. Use it to clean out all of your unnecessary software!
As far as toolbars are concerned look for the ones that are in your browser, Bing and Yahoo are two of the most common. Simply click on them and then select "Uninstall" from the menu. You may have to close your browser window(s) to complete this process. For some of them you may be able to right-click on the toolbar itself and uninstall or disable it. Disabling it won't remove it from your computer but it will remove it from your browser window. This can be helpful as a quick fix, but it really should be uninstalled if you don't want it.
It's important to mention that too many toolbars will slow down your computer and your browsing experience. Also toolbars tend to be used to monitor your Internet activity. Companies use toolbars to track which websites you are visiting and which keywords you are using when you're surfing. This is how they determine which ads to display when you're online. Removing the toolbars helps maintain your privacy and helps prevent these companies from tracking you.
Toolbars don't have to be all bad. If you have one that you really like and it goes with some program or search engine that you use on a regular basis, it's fine to keep. But once those toolbars are taking up most of your screen or slowing you down, it's time to get rid of a few of them. Feel free to print this article to help you as you cleanup your toolbar clutter. Happy surfing!
Offering computer workshops and seminars for individuals and businesses.
http://www.laurabungarz.ca/
0 comments:
Post a Comment