Can't Remove Ask.com search program.

After downloading an update of the Adobe lens corrector program from lab.adobe.com I now have the unwanted ask.com search program. This program acts as the default search engine in both Explorer and Firefox when using speech recognition software to initiate a search. Ask.com is not listed with any of the search programs, and is not listed as a program or a plug-in in Windows 7. I even tried restoring Windows 7 to an earlier date but ask.com program still remains in the computer. It does not show up under a malware to search. A Google search returns other users who have the same problem but no one that I found as a solution.

I would like to get rid this unwanted piece of crap but I don't know how. Any help would be appreciated.

No it's not list anywhere. I had this problem with ask.com a few years ago and it was listed under programs and was easily removed but this appears to be a new version that is very well hidden.

As I said in my original post ask.com is not listed as a program in either 64 bit or 32-bit program listings. I also looked for software with a name I didn't recognize but could not find any. I wish that problem would have been that simple but unfortunately I fear it's going to be complex. Thanks for the suggestion and I'd be happy to hear of any others you might have.

Can't help with Firefox but in IE, click on Tools then click Manage Add-ons. You can enable/disable any of the BHOs there.

Ask.com is not listed in IE's Manage Add On's. It does seem to be listed anywhere in either Firefox or IE. That's what is so puzzling and there is no Ask.com Toolbar. It only pops up when a search is requested by speech recognition when both browsers are closed. Normally I would say "search italian Restraunts in San Francisco" the default browser would open and display the results of the search not not the multiple choice Google or Bing search page. Now it opens Ask.com's search page without displaying search results.

Thanks for the reply.

In the Manage Add-ons, does it show up under Search Providers?

- hmm.. are you Sure thats not the way the software programmers have Made it work now?.. Are there forums for that software?.. What im getting at is.. firewalls..etc.. will sometimes Force you into IE.. when you tell them to open their help file ( or any link via their software ).. my guess is because IE is Gaurenteed to be on that windows pc.. while Firefox is not.

ie. perhaps the software engineers have specifically Programmed it so it MUST search via ask.com?.. i wouldnt doubt it.. just goto Cnet .. used to love that site.. NOW every damn program has a cnet installer wrapper.. AND they ask you everytime.. do you want to isntall CHrome? and have it checked by default... or they will auto check installing the ASK toolbar..etc..etc.. quite annoying.. i may just stop using cnet.. ( granted they are a business and need to make money to stay afloat )..

I would first check into wheather this is 'correctly' functioning.. or / as designed.. ( granted its Not for your wishes ).



Only other thing i can think if is have you tried installing Revo Un-installer.. its pretty awesome and may see soemthing different than windows crappy uninstaller...

Maybe reinstall the app that you think put it there.. then uninstall w/ revo?.. i dunno ive never used that lens corrector apps before

Is the lens app Free??.. if so i wouldnt put it past adobe to just hard code the 'using ask.com as default search provider" into the app.. they probably got paid a good chunk of money from ask.com to do so..

just my 2 cents.

You could try T-Tools AntiSeptic here.

I'd also second Revo Uninstaller. The Pro version has a 30 day trial with full functionality.