What is going on with my computer forcing open a random YouTube page on startup?

Question

Hey Microsoft Community - help!

I've reinstalled something from an old old laptop, only to find out it's causing my computer to be very... odd.

Now, when I start my computer up, Google Chrome is force opening itself to a random YouTube page. I've deleted and uninstalled the app, ran a Malwarebytes scan (nothing caught), made sure Chrome can't open at startup, etc. I also uninstalled Chrome and it forced open Microsoft Edge; a second time, asking how I'd "like to run this."

I also have a weird new thing on my right-click menu:

I'd really appreciate if I could get some help here! Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Hi StageWorks -

I'm Kevin B., I do apologize for the inconvenience that you're experiencing right now, let me help you sort things out.

Kindly follow the steps below and check if the startup folder contains anything

Press windows key + R

Type shell:startup and press enter

Startup folder will pop-up, check the content and delete anything that has a browser on it

Close the folder

After deleting, kindly perform clean boot on your windows computer and check if the same issue appears

Perform Clean Boot

• This process will eliminate 3rd party application running in the background of your computer along with services that are not needed to run windows. If there's any conflicting 3rd party application that causes the issue on your computer, this process will stop it.

1. Open the run box by pressing the Windows Key + R and type msconfig
2. System Configuration Utility box will open and by default you are on general tab.
3. On the General tab, click the selective startup and make sure that load system service and load startup items both have checked mark.
4. Click on services tab
5. Put a check mark on Hide All Microsoft Services > This is a very important part as if you miss to click on this, computer might not boot properly or permanently and will end up on clean installation.
6. Once Hide all Microsoft Services have checked mark on it, click on Disable All
7. Click on the Startup Tab and click open task manager. This will open another window which contains all your startup applications on the administrator account.
8. Disable all application that you're not using. You can simply just click on them and select disable.
9. Click OK , Apply and close the configuration utility

Restart the computer normally and check if the same issue appears

Hope this will help and have a bless day!

Thanks.

Kevin B.

Independent advisor

Answer 2

The same issue is still appearing after I have done that. The unknown option on my right click menu is still appearing as well.

Answer 3

Hi StageWorks -

Thanks for the response and I do apologize if the method did not fix the issue

Kindly try to create a new user profile on your windows computer and check if the same issue appears on the new user. This will help determine if the issue is profile specific or if the issue appears on any user profile created on your computer.

To create new user profile, please follow the steps below

1. Open the Settings by pressing the Windows Key + I
2. Click on Accounts
3. In the left pane menu, click on Family & Other Users
4. Under other users, click on add someone else on this PC
5. By default, it will going to ask you to sign in using a Microsoft account, click on the link below which says I don't have this person's sign in information
6. Click on Add a user without Microsoft account
7. Fill out a username and click next until completion.

Sign out to the current user and sign in on the new user profile.

Check if everything works fine on the new user.

Regards,

Kevin B.

Answer 4

Hey there!

I did just finish trying this out. After I made the new user account, the internet page still forced itself open and I still had the odd menu option.

I've poked around my files and still can't find anything that sticks out.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 5

Hi StageWorks -

Thanks for the response and I do apologize if the method did not fix the issue

When did the issue started?

Kindly try to perform system restore on your windows computer and select a date where windows is still working fine

Perform system restore

-This process will take your computer settings back to an earlier point in time where computer is working fine. If there's any changes made on your computer that removes the service, system restore should be able to fix the issue for you. To perform system restore please follow the steps below:

1. Open the run box by pressing the Windows key + R and type rstrui.exe
2. Once system restore windows open, normally it will suggest a restore point (sometimes it doesn't) if it does, select the 2nd option and hit next
3. Select your desired restore point date and time and hit next and finish.

Windows will going to restart your computer to initiate system restore. System restore might take several minutes to complete depending on the current speed of your computer and the changes it will made. Applications and updates that was installed on the computer prior to the date selected will be removed. It is important that when system restore starts, process must not be interrupted.

DISCLAIMER:

System Restore is a recovery tool for Windows that allows you to reverse certain kinds of changes made to the operating system. System Restore is used to return important Windows files and settings—like drivers, registry keys, system files, installed programs, and more—back to previous versions and settings. Being said all applications and changes made prior to the date selected will be removed and needs to be re-installed if its needed.

Regards,

Kevin B.