The following instructions have been created to help you to get rid of "Search-Explorer" manually.
Use this guide at your own risk; software should usually be better suited to remove malware, since it is able to look deeper.

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Threat Details:

Categories:
  • bho

Description:
Uses tracking cookies, and sharing PII. Another source of information: http://and.doxdesk.com/parasite/SearchExplorer.html
Supposed Functionality:
A toolbar with search functions and quick links.
Privacy Statement:
We use information that we collect to make your Search-Explorer.Com visit more productive and tailored to your individual preferences. We require certain specific information when you contact us or send us a request, and we store that information in secure databases. We share information, both personally identifiable and aggregate data, with companies who provide content to portions of our site and communicate with you on behalf of Search-Explorer.Com.
Links (be careful!):
Website: http://www.search-explorer.com/
Product: http://www.search-explorer.com/
Privacy: http://www.search-explorer.com/page.jsp?page=privacy
Removal Instructions:

Installed Software List:

You can try to uninstall products with the names listed below; for items identified by other properties or to avoid malware getting active again on uninstallation, use Spybot-S&D or RunAlyzer to locate and get rid of these entries.
  • Products that have a key or property named "Search-ExplorerIEToolbar".

Files:

Please use Windows Explorer or another file manager of your choice to locate and delete these files.
  • The file at "<$WINDIR>\Downloaded Program Files\explbar.dll".
  • The file at "<$WINDIR>\Downloaded Program Files\version.txt".
Make sure you set your file manager to display hidden and system files. If Search-Explorer uses rootkit technologies, use our RootAlyzer or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins.
You will have to use a global search for files without a name specified. Be extra careful, because just the name might not be enough to identify files!

Folders:

Please use Windows Explorer or another file manager of your choice to locate and delete these folders.
  • The directory at "C:\Program files\Search-Explorer".
Make sure you set your file manager to display hidden and system files. If Search-Explorer uses rootkit technologies, use our RootAlyzer or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins.
You will have to use a global search for files without a name specified. Be extra careful, because just the name might not be enough to identify folders!

Registry:

You can use regedit.exe (included in Windows) to locate and delete these registry entries.
  • Delete the registry key "Search-Explorer" at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\".
  • References to the file "Downloaded Program Files\explbar.dll" at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDlls\.
  • References to the file "Downloaded Program Files\explbar.dll" at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ModuleUsage\.
  • A key with a likely random name in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ that has "Search Explorer Toolbar" as its default value data.
  • A key with a likely random name in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Typelibs\ that has "SearchExplorer 1.0 Type Library" as its default value data.
  • A key with a likely random name in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interfaces\ that has "IPugiObj" as its default value data.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "SearchExplorer.SearchExplorerObj", plus associated values.
  • Delete the registry key "{3717DF55-0396-463D-98B7-647C7DC6898A}" at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Code Store Database\Distribution Units\".
If Search-Explorer uses rootkit technologies, use our RegAlyzer, RootAlyzer or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins.

Browser:

The following browser plugins or items can either be removed directly in your browser, or through the help of e.g. Spybot-S&D or RunAlyzer.
  • Look for ActiveX software installed from "www.search-explorer.net/toolbar/srchexpl.cab".
  • Look for Internet Explorer extensions named "Search Explorer Toolbar".
  • Please check your bookmarks for links to "search-explorer.net".

Final Words:

If neither Spybot-S&D nor self help did resolve the issue or you would prefer one on one help,
  1. Please read these instructions before requesting assistance,
  2. Then start your own thread in the Malware Removal Forum where a volunteer analyst will advise you as soon as available.