See * http://about.ask.com/en/toolbar/toolbarv/faq.html#na26

Tried to download and launch the Ask remover (AskSearchUtility.exe.) 3 times, and it will open then close by itself, so I can't seem to run it once the icon opens up because then it dissapears within 2 seconds.

There are a couple of places to check for the Ask.com toolbar:- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1) Check the Windows Control Panel for the Ask Toolbar - Uninstall them * http://about.ask.com/apn/toolbar/docs/default/faq/en/ff/index.html#na4 * Crowdstar toolbar ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2) Start Firefox in Safe Mode by holding down SHIFT key while starting Firefox * As an alternative method, use '''Win + R''' key combination and enter one of the following in the Windows Run box: ** firefox -safe-mode ** "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode ** "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode -> Firefox Safe Mode window will appear -> DON'T SELECT ANY OPTIONS, just click '''Continue in Safe Mode''' -> Check your list of extensions, you may be able to Uninstall it from there * [[Uninstalling add-ons]] * [[Cannot uninstall an add-on]] * http://kb.mozillazine.org/Uninstalling_toolbars ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3) [[How to set the home page#w_restore-the-default-home-page|Restore the default home page]] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4) [[Search Bar#w_removing-a-search-engine|Search Bar - Removing a Search Engine]] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5) Restore Default Search Engine Type '''about:config''' in the Location (address) bar and press the "Enter" key. When you see a warning, click '''I'll be careful, I promise!''' button. * Preferences that have been modified are shown as '''bold (user set)'''. * Preferences can be '''Reset to the default''' or changed via the right-click context menu. -> In the '''Filter bar''', type '''keyword.URL''' * Right click the preference '''keyword.URL''' and click '''Reset''' * OR choose '''Modify''' -> Replace the text with http://www.google.com/search?q= and then click OK -> In the '''Filter bar''', type '''browser.startup.homepage''' * right-click the preference '''browser.startup.homepage''' and choose '''Reset''' from the menu -> In the '''Filter bar''', type '''browser.search.selectedEngine''' * right-click the preference '''browser.search.selectedEngine''' and choose '''Reset''' from the menu -> Now finally in the '''Filter bar''', type '''ask.com''' * This will show the remaining '''ask.com''' related preferences * '''Reset''' all '''ask.com''' related Preferences to their Default values (right-click a preference and click '''Reset''') -> Close the '''about:config''' tab and then Restart Firefox. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check and tell if its working.