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Remove Elf Toolbar from Chrome, Firefox, IE



Threat's profile Threat indicator: HIGH

Name of the threat:Elf Toolbar

Command or file name:hktbElf_.dll

Threat type:Toolbars

Affected OS:Win32/Win64 (Windows XP, Vista/7, 8/8.1, Windows 10)

Affected browsers:Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari


Elf Toolbar intrusion method

Elf Toolbar

Usually Elf Toolbar comes bundled with freeware downloads. During installation you can be offered to change default homepage and search engine to Elf Toolbar. Elf Toolbar copies its file(s) to your hard disk. Its typical file name is hktbElf_.dll. Then it creates new startup key with name Elf Toolbar and value hktbElf_.dll. You can also find it in your processes list with name hktbElf_.dll or Elf Toolbar. Also, it can create folder with name Elf Toolbar under C:\Program Files\ or C:\ProgramData. If you have further questions about Elf Toolbar, please ask below. You can use programs to remove Elf Toolbar from your browsers below.


Download Removal Tool

Download this advanced removal tool and solve problems with Elf Toolbar and hktbElf_.dll (download of fix will start immediately):

Download WiperSoft Antispyware to remove Elf Toolbar

* WiperSoft Antispyware was developed to remove threats like Elf Toolbar in automatic mode. Remover has active module to protect PC from hijackers, trojans, ransomware and other viruses. Trial version of Wipersoft provides detection of computer viruses for FREE. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Wipersoft.


Features of WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool

  • Removes all files created by viruses.
  • Removes all registry entries created by viruses.
  • You can activate System and Network Guards and forget about malware.
  • Can fix browser problems and protect browser settings.
  • Removal is guaranteed - if Removal Tool fails ask for FREE support.
  • 24/7 Spyware Helpdesk Support included into the package.

  • Download Spyhunter Remediation Tool by Enigma Software

    Download antimalware designed specifically to remove threats like Elf Toolbar and hktbElf_.dll (download of fix will start immediately):

    Download AntiMalware to remove Elf Toolbar

    Features of Spyhunter Remediation Tool

    • Removes all files created by Elf Toolbar.
    • Removes all registry entries created by Elf Toolbar.
    • Fixes browser redirection and hijack if needed.
    • "Toolbar Remover" tool will help you get rid of unwanted browser extensions.
    • Removal is guaranteed - if Spyhunter Remediation Tool fails ask for FREE support.
    • 24/7 Helpdesk Support and 5 hours of Remote Support via GoToAssist included into the package.


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Software Industry Professionals Member Threat's description and solution are developed by Security Stronghold security team.

Here you can also learn:


How to remove Elf Toolbar manually

This problem can be solved manually by deleting all registry keys and files connected with Elf Toolbar, removing it from startup list and unregistering all corresponding DLLs. Additionally missing DLL's should be restored from distribution in case they are corrupted by Elf Toolbar.

To get rid of Elf Toolbar, you should:

1. Kill the following processes and delete the appropriate files:

  • Alert.dll
  • Elf_1.15ToolbarHelper.exe
  • hk64tbElf_.dll
  • hktbElf_.dll
  • ldrtbElf_.dll
  • prxtbElf_.dll
  • tbElf_.dll
  • uninstall.exe

Warning: you should delete only those files which checksums are listed as malicious. There may be valid files with the same names in your system. We recommend you to use WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool for safe problem solution.

**Trial version of Wipersoft provides detection of computer viruses for FREE. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Wipersoft.

2. Delete the following malicious folders:

  • C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\PriceGong
  • C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Application Data\Elf_1.15
  • C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\CT2866295
  • C:\Program Files\Conduit
  • C:\Program Files\Elf_1.15

3. Delete the following malicious registry entries and\or values:

  • Key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Elf_1.15
  • Key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Conduit
  • Key:
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Elf 1.15 Toolbar
  • Key:
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\{0f55d2a7-6439-42e7-bfa3-12bd43fc7d04}
  • Key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
    \{b9d63c58-90cc-428b-8d3b-cbb88eb07e7e}
  • Key:
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{F38C2310-DF6F-4737-A8C8-6DF147395A04}
  • Key:
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{A36A2C6F-4779-4147-9F5E-0696E9433CB0}
  • Key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Toolbar.CT2866295
  • Key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{B9D63C58-90CC-428B-8D3B-CBB88EB07E7E}
  • Key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{3c471948-f874-49f5-b338-4f214a2ee0b1}
  • Key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{0F55D2A7-6439-42E7-BFA3-12BD43FC7D04}

Warning: if value is listed for some registry entries, you should only clear these values and leave keys with such values untouched. We recommend you to use WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool for safe problem solution.


Uninstall Elf Toolbar related programs from Control Panel

We recommend you to check list of installed programs and search for Elf Toolbar entry or other unknown and suspicious programs. Below are instructions for different version if Windows. In some cases adware programs are protected by malicious service or process and it will not allow you to uninstall it. If Elf Toolbar won't uninstall or gives you error message that you do not have sufficient rights to do this perform below instructions in Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking or use WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool.


Windows 10

  • Click on the Start menu and choose Settings
  • Then click on System and choose Apps & Features in the left column
  • Find Elf Toolbar under in the list and click Uninstall button near it.
  • Confirm by clicking Uninstall button in opened window if necessary.

Windows 8/8.1

  • Right click on the bottom left corner of the screen (while on your desktop)
  • In the menu choose Control Panel
  • Click Uninstall a program under Programs and Features.
  • Locate programs that can be connected with Elf Toolbar or other related suspicious program.
  • Click Uninstall button.
  • Wait until uninstall process is complete.

Windows 7/Vista

  • Click Start and choose Control Panel.
  • Choose Programs and Features and Uninstall a program.
  • In the list of installed programs find entries related to Elf Toolbar
  • Click Uninstall button.

Windows XP

  • Click Start
  • In the menu choose Control Panel
  • Choose Add / Remove Programs.
  • Find Elf Toolbar related entries.
  • Click Remove button.

Remove Elf Toolbar related extensions from your browsers

Elf Toolbar in some cases can be accompanied with browsers extension. We recommend you to use free option Toolbar Remover under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool to remove unwanted browser extensions related to Elf Toolbar. We recommend you to perform scan your PC with Removal Tool or Spyhunter Remediation Tool. To remove extenions from your browsers manually do the following:

Internet Explorer

  • While in Internet Explorer click cogwheel icon in the top right corner
  • In the menu choose the Manage Add-ons
  • Select Toolbar and Extension tab.
  • Choose add-on possibly related to Elf Toolbar or other related adware BHO.
  • Click Disable button.

Warning: This option will only disable unwanted plugin. For effective Elf Toolbar removal use WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool.

Google Chrome

  • Start Google Chrome.
  • In the address bar type chrome://extensions/
  • In the list of add-ons find related to Elf Toolbar and click recycle bin icon.
  • Confirm Elf Toolbar removal.

Mozilla Firefox

  • Open Firefox
  • In the address bar type about:addons
  • Click Extensions tab.
  • In the list of extension locate ones related to Elf Toolbar.
  • Click Remove button near it.

Reset browsers search and homepage settings

Elf Toolbar can affect your browsers which results in browser redirection or search hijack. We recommend you to use free option Reset Browsers under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool to reset all the browsers at once. Mention that you need to remove all files and kill all processes belonging to Elf Toolbar before doing this. To reset your browsers manually and restore your homepage perform the following steps:

Internet Explorer

  • If you use Windows XP, click Start, and then click Run. Type the following in the Open box without quotes, and press Enter: "inetcpl.cpl"
  • If you use Windows 7 or Windows Vista, click Start. Type the following in the Search box without quotes, and press Enter: "inetcpl.cpl"
  • Click the Advanced tab
  • In Reset Internet Explorer settings, click Reset. Click Reset in opened window again.
  • Select Delete personal settings checkbox to remove browsing history, search providers, homepage
  • After Internet Explorer finishes resetting, click Close in the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box

Warning: In case this option will not work use free option Reset Browsers under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool.

Google Chrome

  • Go to the installation folder of Google Chrome: C:\Users\"your username"\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\User Data.
  • In the User Data folder, look for a file named as Default and rename it to DefaultBackup.
  • Launch Google Chrome and a new clean Default file will be created.

Warning: This option might not work if in Google Chrome you use online synchronization between PCs. In this case use free option Reset Browsers under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool.

Mozilla Firefox

  • Open Firefox

  • Go to Help > Troubleshooting Information in menu.
  • Click the Reset Firefox button.
  • After Firefox is done, it will show a window and create folder on the desktop. Click Finish.

Warning: This option will also clean all your account passwords for all websites. If you don't want it use free option Reset Browsers under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool.


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