Startup program entry details:

swg (GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe)

This page expands upon the information already available for this entry in the Pacman's Portal Windows start-up programs database.

User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary

For further information on how to identify and disable startup programs please visit the Introduction page.

Description:

Part of Google Toolbar (from version 4 onwards) for IE. "Google Toolbar Notifier allows you to set Google as your default search engine and prevents your search settings from being changed without your consent. An icon in your system tray blinks if the Notifier identifies an attempt to change your default search engine. You can click the icon to get more details and allow the change". There was a bug in earlier versions where disabling the option resulted in the entry still running at startup but this has now been resolved

Startup information:

Registry (Start → Run → regedit)

• Key(s): HKCU\Run
• Name: swg
• Data:
  • C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\<version>\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
  • C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe

MSConfig (Start → Run → msconfig → Startup)

• Startup Item (XP): GoogleToolbarNotifier
• Startup Item (Vista/7): GoogleToolbarNotifier
• Command:
  • C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\<version>\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
  • C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe

Windows Defender (Start → All Programs → Windows Defender → Tools → Software Explorer)

• Name: GoogleToolbarNotifier
• Startup Value:
  • C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\<version>\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
  • C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe

HijackThis (HJT) log examples:

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\1.2.1128.5462\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] "C:\Programmi\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] "C:\Programmer\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Archivos de programa\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe

Other information:

• File location: %ProgramFiles%\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier
• File properties "Description": GoogleToolbarNotifier
• Purpose: Maintains search settings
• Program disable option:
  • Settings → Options → More → deselect "Search with Google"
  • Click on wrench/spanner icon on Toolbar → Google Toolbar Options → Search → deselect "Set and keep Google as the default search engine"
• Shortcut(s) available: None
• Vendor/Publisher: Google
• Product(s): Google Toolbar for IE
• Tested: Yes

Note:

• %ProgramFiles% - refers to the Program Files folder; typically the path is C:\Program Files
• HKCU refers to HKEY_CURRENT_USER

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