My browsers no longer function.

Do not download the requested “functions”; first scan Windows and remove unwanted applications or extensions that may be changing multiple browsers.

1. Scan Windows Security

1. Close every browser.
2. Open Start, type Windows Security, and open it.
3. Select Virus & threat protection > Quick scan.
4. If nothing is detected but the behavior continues, use the available scan options to perform a more thorough scan.
5. Apply the recommended action to every detected item. Microsoft documents the Quick scan path and recommends scanning when malware is suspected.^1^

Also check Windows Security > Virus & threat protection for unresolved detections. If a potentially unwanted application (PUA) appears, select it, choose the removal action, and select Start actions. A detected PUA is only blocked—not removed—until an action is selected.^2^

Then open:

Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > App & browser control > Reputation-based protection settings

Turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking, including both Block apps and Block downloads. “Block apps” can detect unwanted applications already downloaded through other browsers; “Block downloads” applies to Edge downloads.^3^

2. Remove unknown browser extensions

An unwanted extension can change page appearance, search behavior, and new-tab content.

For Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Edge.
2. Select the Extensions puzzle-piece icon. If it is hidden, select Settings and more (…) > Extensions.
3. Select Manage extensions.
4. Turn off every extension you do not recognize or need.
5. Test Edge. If the problem disappears, remove the disabled extensions individually using More actions (…) > Remove from Microsoft Edge > Remove.^4^

For Chrome, open its extensions-management page from Menu > Extensions > Manage extensions, then disable or remove unknown items. A similar Microsoft Q&A case involving changed search engines was resolved by removing suspicious or unwanted extensions, particularly third-party security add-ons, or testing with a new Chrome profile.^5^

Restart Windows after removal and test before signing back into browser synchronization. If unwanted settings return immediately after synchronization, an extension or setting associated with the synchronized profile may still be present.

3. Correct unwanted search engines

After removing unwanted software and extensions:

• Edge: enter edge://settings/searchEngines in the address bar.
• Chrome: enter chrome://settings/searchEngines.

Review the entries and delete unfamiliar search providers. A Microsoft Q&A resolution for search-engine changes affecting Edge and Chrome uses these pages to remove unwanted providers.^6^

Do this only after the security and extension cleanup; otherwise, the unwanted setting may simply be added again.

4. Clear Edge’s cached display data

If searches now work but pages still have incorrect formatting:

1. In Edge, select Settings and more (…) > History > Open history page.
2. Select Delete browsing data.
3. Set Time range to All time.
4. Select Cached images and files, then Clear now.

Microsoft identifies cached data as a possible cause of webpage display problems.^7^

5. Repair Edge if it remains damaged

This repairs Edge without normally affecting its browser data or settings:

1. Close Edge for every signed-in Windows user.
2. Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
3. Select Microsoft Edge > Modify.
4. Approve the administrator prompt.
5. Select Repair while connected to the internet.^7^

If Modify is unavailable on a work- or school-managed computer, contact its administrator. If all browsers remain affected after the scan and extension cleanup, report the exact wording of the download prompt and the names of any detections; those details are needed to distinguish unwanted software from a Windows networking or profile problem.

References

1. Stay protected with the Windows Security app
2. Protect your PC from potentially unwanted applications | Microsoft Support
3. Protect your PC from potentially unwanted applications | Microsoft Support
4. Add, turn off, or remove extensions in Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Support
5. windows update removed google search and no longer an option - Microsoft Q&A
6. Yahoo keeps changing my search engine (Hijacked) (in Edge and Google) - Microsoft Q&A
7. What to do if Microsoft Edge isn't working | Microsoft Support