Qltuh is a very common browser hijacker that’s been around for a while now, but unlike most other examples of this malware category, this one still refuses to go away. We’ve covered it in the past but decided that we should revisit it and attempt to provide our readers with updated instructions on how to remove it and keep it away from your browser.
As you probably already know, qltuh.check is a rogue site, similar to boyu.com.tr and antivirusarmorhub, that stealthily gains permissions in your browser (such as the ability to replace your search engine). It often does this with the help of a rogue Chrome extension and/or a malware program installed on the computer.
This means that users trying to deal with this annoyance will also need to get rid of any malicious browser extensions and rogue programs installed on the computer. We’ve taken all this into account when researching for and designing our guide, and we can confidently say that you won’t find a better-structured and more exhaustive Qltuh removal guide elsewhere on the web.
Qltuh.check Virus Removal Instructions
Removing browser hijackers, especially those sneaky ones like Qltuh, can feel like trying to get gum out of your hair. But don’t worry, you can tackle this problem head-on without messing up your operating system. It’s all about taking control of your browser settings, one step at a time.
SUMMARY:
Qltuh.check and other similar hijackers are often delivered into the PC by unwanted or outright harmful programs and apps. If you have such a program/app on your PC, the hijacker might return even after you’ve managed to delete it.
It’s, therefore, strongly recommended to uninstall any suspicious apps by going to Start Menu > Settings > Apps, finding them, and clicking their Uninstall buttons. However, rogue apps aren’t always visible in this list of programs. Also, even if you manage to uninstall the unwanted software, it might leave behind helper components. Therefore, we recommend using SpyHunter, a powerful anti-malware tool available on this page that can quickly clean your system from any malicious files.
How to Get Rid of Qltuh Policies in Chrome, Edge, and Other Browsers
Hijackers like Qltuh,check are infamous for enforcing a third-party policy in the browsers they get added to. This makes the user unable to change some of the browser settings and uninstall the hijacker and its elements.
Therefore, you need to start by dealing with the rogue browser policy that Qltuh has enforced.
Note that not all users get their browser settings locked behind a third-party policy. If you are among the lucky ones who can still make changes in their browser settings, skip this section of the guide and go to the Qltuh.check virus extension removal part.
Step 1
Open Chrome. Type chrome://policy into the address bar. You’ll see a list of policies that are currently affecting your browser. Watch out for the ones with values made of random strings of characters that don’t make any sense. Copy these values into a text file. This will be your cheat sheet later.
If you’re using a different browser like Edge or Brave, the steps are the same – you just swap “Chrome” for “Edge” or “Brave” in the URL.
Then go to the Extensions tab (Chrome menu > Extensions > Extensions Manager). Flip on Developer Mode in the upper right corner. This gives you a closer look at what’s installed. Some extensions might refuse to go quietly. Their “Remove” button will be greyed out – that’s how you know they need to go. Copy the IDs of these stubborn extensions into your text file. This is important because you’ll need them later.
Video walkthrough for this step:
If you can’t even access the Extensions tab, you’ll have to do this first:
Go to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions. If you don’t see any of the folders on that path, go to the “View” tab in File Explorer, click “Options,” and check the box to “Show hidden files, folders, and drives.” Now you should be able to find it.
How to Show Hidden Files and Folders
Once you are in the Extensions folder, just delete everything there. This will make all Chrome extensions “corrupted” but the ones you want to keep can easily be repaired from within the browser.
Step 2
Next up is the Registry Editor: Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter. The Registry Editor will pop up. Here, you need to be very careful not to delete the wrong thing, or else you risk destabilizing your system.
In fact, we recommend first going to File > Export, selecting All under Export Range and creating a registry backup for just in case.
Once the registry is backed up, use the search function (Ctrl + F). Find any keys that match the policy values and extension IDs you saved. Delete them. But, again, be careful; this isn’t a place where you want to make mistakes.
Also, take a peek at these specific registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\ChromeHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Google\ChromeHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Google\ChromeHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Google\ChromeHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Google\Update
Delete them if they’re hanging around. If Windows won’t let you delete a key, don’t freak out. Right-click the key above the one you need to delete. Select “Permissions” > Advanced > Change. Then type “everyone“, click OK, check the two “Replace…” options, and save Apply and Save the changes. Then you’ll have no issue deleting any of that key’s sub-keys.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Step 3
Another place where you may need to delete any rogue policies is the Group Policy Editor. Open the Start Menu, search for “Edit Group Policy,” and open it. Navigate to Local Group Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates.
Right-click and choose “Add/Remove Templates.” Get rid of any templates that seem fishy. If it smells like trouble, it probably is.
For extra peace of mind, use the Chrome Policy Remover tool. Download it, run it as an administrator, and let it do its thing. It’s like having a pro mechanic tune up your car after you’ve changed the oil. This tool will clear out all the rogue policies. But keep in mind, it only works for Chrome. If you’re using Edge or Brave, you’ll have to rely on manual labor.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Manual Group Policy Removal
Automatic Group Policy Removal
Uninstall the Qltuh Check Virus Extension
Now that the hijacker’s grip on your browser has been loosened, it’s time to clean up your browser settings:
Open Chrome’s settings. Remove Qltuh and any other rogue extensions. As we said above, if you had to delete the extension folders earlier, your extensions would look broken. Just remove the ones you don’t need, and click Repair on those that you actually want.
Head over to the Privacy and Security section next. Clear your browsing data, focusing on the period before the hijacker made its move. Don’t forget to leave the passwords box unchecked or you’ll have to re-enter your passwords for all your online accounts.
In Site Settings, you’ll want to revoke permissions for any URLs that look suspicious.
Also, check the Appearance and On Startup sections. Remove any URLs that the hijacker might have snuck in. You want to make sure your browser only shows legitimate sites that won’t flood you with ads and redirects.
Finally, take a look at your search engine settings. Make sure your default search engine is one you trust. Google or Bing are usually safe bets. Get rid of any search engines that don’t look familiar in the Manage Search Engines section. They could be up to no good.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Mozilla Firefox
Even after you’ve done all this, it remains crucial to perform a full system cleanup. You don’t want any rogue programs lurking around. Tools like SpyHunter can help with this. Run a deep scan. You don’t want to leave anything behind.
Before you dive into all these changes, make sure you’ve backed up your important data. Files and browser settings especially. You never know when something might go sideways. It’s always better to have a safety net.
Follow these steps and your browser will be back to normal, and you’ll be back in the driver’s seat. It might seem like a hassle now, but trust me, it’s worth it to get your peace of mind back.
What is Qltuh?
Qltuh is browser hijacker. The browser hijacker may install some other unnecessary apps, add-ons, shortcut buttons and components in your system that may cause other unpleasant consequences such as sluggishness, browser unresponsiveness, screen freezing and even sudden crashes. Therefore, it is not surprising why so many people refer to Qltuh as a potentially unwanted application and seek methods to quickly uninstall it and remove its changes from their systems.
All you have to do is carefully follow the instructions provided by our security specialists in the guide below. If you are not that good with manual removal guides, however, there is also another alternative. You can use a professional removal tool such as the one suggested in the guide to quickly scan the system and remove Qltuh automatically.
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