Opera Browser Keeps Installing Itself: 3 Quick Ways to Fix It
If this happens to you, it's time to scan for malware
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Key notes
- Opera is an excellent browser but not so much when it’s not your preferred choice.
- Sometimes, you will find that the browser keeps installing itself on your PC even after removing it.
- Usually, it could be due to a virus, so read along to find out how to eliminate this annoying problem.
Opera is a popular browser that provides many useful features but not without a fair share of its problems. If you are using the browser, you might be familiar with this problem. The Opera browser keeps installing itself on your computer.
This is a very annoying problem. However, if you have installed Opera without your knowledge, you will have to manually remove it from your computer.
If a program you installed keeps installing itself without your permission, it’s a good idea to uninstall it. This is because your system may have been infected with a virus.
The first thing you should do is run a scan with your antivirus software to make sure that your computer isn’t infected. If the scan comes up clean, it’s possible that a malicious program has hijacked Opera.
Why does Opera keep installing?
If you are wondering why your Opera browser self-installs, here are some possible reasons:
- You installed the browser previously and have not uninstalled it – It is possible that you have installed the browser on your computer and have not uninstalled it. In this case, Opera will restore your previous settings when you run it for the first time.
- Clicked on a malicious ad – Malicious ads are designed to trick you into installing adware or other unwanted software. Some of these ads look like normal search results, so it can be hard to spot them.
- You clicked on a malicious website – If you clicked on a malicious website attempting to trick you into installing Opera, you may have been redirected to our website’s downloads page and prompted to install Opera.
- You have installed some apps from unknown sources – If you see Opera installing itself on your PC, it’s likely that you have downloaded and installed a file from an untrustworthy source. Usually, the problem occurs when you download and install pirated software or software cracks from third-party torrent sites.
- It comes bundled in a program – In some cases, legitimate programs may be infected with malware or adware that can force the installation of unwanted programs on your computer.
Is Opera browser safe?
If Opera keeps self-installing, it is a valid concern to actually wonder whether it is a safe program. Opera is one of the most secure browsers available today. It has several security features built-in to protect your computer from viruses, malware, and other threats.
However, if you downloaded it from an unknown site or a pirated version, you could be exposing your system to vulnerabilities.
Opera
Download Opera from the official website to benefit from updated browsing features and standard online security!What can I do if Opera keeps installing itself?
1. Scan for malware
- Press the Windows key, search Windows Security and click Open.
- Select Virus & threat protection.
- Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.
- Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.
2. Uninstall from Control Panel
- Press the Windows key, search Control Panel and click Open.
- Navigate to Programs and Features, then select Uninstall a program.
- Find Opera from the list, right-click and select Uninstall.
3. Disable auto-updates
- Navigate to your desktop and locate the Opera shortcut.
- Right-click and select Properties.
- Click on the Shortcut tab.
- Navigate to the Target field, add –disable-update to the existing entry, and then click Apply to effect the changes.
Should I Uninstall Opera?
If you still have recurrent problems with the Opera browser, then you should perform a clean uninstall of Opera from your PC. However, you need to ensure that no traces of it are left behind as they may cause problems in the future.
It usually happens when your computer has recently had an infection, such as a virus. There could be remnants of that infection still lingering in your registry, and these would prevent Opera from being uninstalled successfully.
This is because even with an uninstallation; some residual files tend to remain behind in the registry. Such entries can affect the performance of your PC. You will need to remove the software leftovers and install the browser from the official site.
Hopefully, with our recommended solutions, you have been able to solve the issue where Opera keeps installing itself.
If you encounter issues where Opera fails to install or download, take a closer look at our comprehensive guide on the steps to follow.
Let us know of any additional thoughts you may have on this topic in the comments section below.
