KevinZ

Thank You... Most sincere apologies for even thinking "Startpage" was part of a update. This was a very stelth invasion. I just wish a malware detection or even CCleaner could find how they slipped in to the "URL with %s in place of query" field.

Her was my fix!!!! Made new Duck Duck Go search, made it default and deleted bad one with Startpage in it.

Default page

Here is one screenshot showing where it is, unable to edit from settings page under search engine:

Unless Startpage is that good, My CCleaner browser shows a pending update to restart CCleaner browser. These are hard to find. I am sending information based on my experience so that my errors can be shared with others to expose this hijacker. None of the system checks have found any errors and until a good fix is found, I will stand by and not confuse the issue and wait for a repair. These hijackers make it hard to share information. Sorry for any confusion.

I just went through trying to get rid of this (Startpage) thinking it was hijacked as well....BUT... CCleaner browser has upgraded to Startpage as the default search engine. If I can get a screen capture I will edit this post and insert the image. My workaround is to open my home page and listed my preference in the default search engine. Startpage still will be used in the new tab and address bar search despite having a different one listed in settings. Hope this sheds light on the subject.

I just went through trying to get rid of this thinking it was hijacked as well....BUT... CCleaner browser has upgraded to Startpage as the default search engine. If I can get a screen capture I will edit this post and insert the image. My workaround is to open my home page and listed my preference in the default search engine. Startpage still will be used in the new tab and address bar search despite having a different one listed in settings. Hope this sheds light on the subject.

I have tried this as well, nothing shows up to remove. This sounds like a registry entry to redirect... need to go further down the rabbit hole to flush this one out?

The Startpage search engine has replaced my "URL" and "New Tab" searches. I have reset all settings to none showing Startpage but the problem persists. I have tried CCleaner and Malware bytes as well as the known removal of Startpage software removal and no items/malware can be found. Stage two advice needed. Windows 10 OS