• Login
    • Search
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Users
    • Groups
    • Rules
    • Help

    Do more on the web, with a fast and secure browser!

    Download Opera browser with:

    • built-in ad blocker
    • battery saver
    • free VPN
    Download Opera

    Opera Browser Assistant?

    Opera for Windows
    29
    103
    99300
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • elo320
      elo320 @sgunhouse last edited by

      @sgunhouse @burnout426 @whisperer I checked it with a Task Manager and it looks like Opera is 64-bit but Opera Browser Assistant is 32-bit. The same thing happens with 64-bit Chrome, whose some background processes are 32 bit. And I actually don't know what "contextual hints" Opera Browser Assistant has, as it can only launch the browser with it or close it.

      Reply Quote 0
        1 Reply Last reply
      • burnout426
        burnout426 Volunteer last edited by

        I checked with Opera. The Opera Browser Assistant is a legit program from Opera. It only gets installed when Opera gets installed when Opera is bundled with another program like an Anti-virus program. The assistant is just there to let you know that you have Opera on your system. If you uninstall Opera and then install Opera again via the installer at https://www.opera.com/download this time, the browser assistant will be gone.

        Reply Quote 0
          elo320 1 Reply Last reply
        • elo320
          elo320 @burnout426 last edited by

          I've never installed Opera bundled with another program.

          Reply Quote 2
            leocg 1 Reply Last reply
          • leocg
            leocg Moderator Volunteer @elo320 last edited by

            Maybe your just didn't notice it

            Reply Quote 0
              elo320 1 Reply Last reply
            • elo320
              elo320 @leocg last edited by

              nope, impossible

              Reply Quote 1
                1 Reply Last reply
              • burnout426
                burnout426 Volunteer last edited by

                Either way, kill it in the task manager, uninstall Opera while keeping your data and reinstall Opera via the installer at opera.com and you'll be good.

                Reply Quote 0
                  1 Reply Last reply
                • ryszard
                  ryszard last edited by

                  Does anyone know why I need this "Opera Browser Assistant" and how can I turn it off from the Opera?

                  Reply Quote 0
                    burnout426 1 Reply Last reply
                  • burnout426
                    burnout426 Volunteer @ryszard last edited by

                    @ryszard said in Opera Browser Assistant?:

                    Does anyone know why I need this "Opera Browser Assistant" and how can I turn it off from the Opera?

                    You don't need it. Uninstall Opera while keeping your data, download the installer from https://www.opera.com/download and reinstall Opera. Then the assistant should be gone.

                    Alternatively, you could kill the assistant in the task manager and delete all its file and folders in Opera's program files folder. That might be enough. There might be a run/startup entry in the Windows registry that has to be removed too, but not sure.

                    Reply Quote 0
                      ryszard 1 Reply Last reply
                    • ryszard
                      ryszard @burnout426 last edited by

                      @burnout426

                      I deleted the folder, cleaned the registry

                      Reply Quote 1
                        1 Reply Last reply
                      • A Former User
                        A Former User last edited by

                        I thought I would look and see what tasks are running at start up which i have done every week for about 15 years.
                        Today I see a program called browser assistant in c/program files /opera/assistant/browser_assistant.exe. What the **** is this ? I have never seen it before. I update Opera either via the inbuilt tool or the complete installation package. If there is no sensible or valid reason for this file I will have to consider my future use of Opera.

                        Reply Quote 0
                          1 Reply Last reply
                        • burnout426
                          burnout426 Volunteer last edited by

                          https://www.reddit.com/r/operabrowser/comments/ed7648/opera_forcing_alwaysontop_opera_gx_ads_i_havent/

                          Reply Quote 0
                            1 Reply Last reply
                          • burnout426
                            burnout426 Volunteer last edited by

                            Uninstall Opera while keeping your data. Then, reinstall it via the setup file at https://ftp.opera.com/ftp/pub/opera/desktop/65.0.3467.78/win/.

                            Reply Quote 0
                              1 Reply Last reply
                            • A Former User
                              A Former User last edited by

                              Do I just uninstal Opera through uninstal program feature of Windows (7) or do I need to backup my existing profile as well before installing the complete offline package ? Is the problem likely to occur with the next update ?

                              Reply Quote 0
                                burnout426 1 Reply Last reply
                              • burnout426
                                burnout426 Volunteer @Guest last edited by

                                @mike88 said in Opera Browser Assistant - WTF ?:

                                Do I just uninstal Opera through uninstal program feature of Windows (7)

                                Yes. During the uninstall process, it'll give you the choice to keep your data or not. You can keep your data.

                                @mike88 said in Opera Browser Assistant - WTF ?:

                                do I need to backup my existing profile as well before installing the complete offline package ?

                                No. But, you can copy it to a safe place if you want (while Opera is closed) before uninstalling Opera (just for good measure).

                                @mike88 said in Opera Browser Assistant - WTF ?:

                                Is the problem likely to occur with the next update ?

                                In normal circumstances, it shouldn't occur again. But, that'll depend if Opera's now doing it on purpose or if it was an accident where things need to be fixed.

                                Reply Quote 0
                                  A Former User 1 Reply Last reply
                                • A Former User
                                  A Former User @burnout426 last edited by A Former User

                                  i think i may make a firewall rule to block browser_assistant.exe.. before i even see it !.. lol

                                  Reply Quote 0
                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                  • A Former User
                                    A Former User last edited by

                                    It seems strange to me that it only appeared when I downloaded through the programme. My previous system backup was a few days ago, so I used that and got the complete offline package as Burnout426 suggested. I will also disable Opera automatic update via CCleaner. Has anyone got full knowledge of what "browser_assistant.exe" does ? Its funny that with all the stuff Opera writes in its blogs to my recollection there has been no knowledge of why this file is inflicted on us or what it does !

                                    Reply Quote 0
                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                    • operalinknx1
                                      operalinknx1 last edited by operalinknx1

                                      Hello, I have found in Opera directory (WIndows) an folder named "Assistant"

                                      This Opera Browser assistant also makes an entry in Windows Task Scheduler.

                                      This is unwanted behaviour and is not mentioned when Opera updates itself. This should not be hidden in updates and it should mention what is being installed during Update and given a choice if EXTRA software is to be added.

                                      Please don't force this on users. It is simply another resource spending on CPU startup. Let your users know what you are installing on their PCs.

                                      Sincerely

                                      Reply Quote 0
                                        leocg 1 Reply Last reply
                                      • zalex108
                                        zalex108 last edited by

                                        Doesn't exist here.

                                        🤔
                                        What's inside?

                                        --
                                        "Off Topic Tip"
                                        Follow the Signature's Backup | Reset link.
                                        Take the opportunity to start a Backup plan and even create a Template Profile.

                                        SyncBack | Synkron helps.


                                        Windows 7 (x64)
                                        Opera Test profile | Back up | Reset

                                        "You cannot know the meaning of your life until you are connected to the power that created you". · Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

                                        Reply Quote 0
                                          1 Reply Last reply
                                        • leocg
                                          leocg Moderator Volunteer @operalinknx1 last edited by

                                          @operalinknx1 The Assistant is installed when Opera is installed from a third party program.

                                          Reply Quote 0
                                            1 Reply Last reply
                                          • rlwieneke
                                            rlwieneke last edited by

                                            Opera Assistant Installer 01b.jpg
                                            Opera Assistant Installer 02.jpg

                                            https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/deaed2b76d4545d2ca07fc237b485eab0b4da7212accb6b23fe6e6af94f3707c/detection

                                            https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/5c1a5242a1af594a156c4405d4a50bd5fdc176177771db3d5e9e807464f50a22/detection

                                            Virus Total says both files are clean and both have valid Opera Software 2020 digital signatures. That having been said, I sometime may not start my browser up for as much as three or four hours after I turn my pc on. I don't want some background opera web browser process eating CPU and RAM when I'm not using the browser. So I denied the action with Zone Alarm.

                                            Reply Quote 0
                                              1 Reply Last reply
                                            • First post
                                              Last post

                                            Computer browsers

                                            • Opera for Windows
                                            • Opera for Mac
                                            • Opera for Linux
                                            • Opera beta version
                                            • Opera USB

                                            Mobile browsers

                                            • Opera for Android
                                            • Opera Mini
                                            • Opera Touch
                                            • Opera for basic phones

                                            • Add-ons
                                            • Opera account
                                            • Wallpapers
                                            • Opera Ads

                                            • Help & support
                                            • Opera blogs
                                            • Opera forums
                                            • Dev.Opera

                                            • Security
                                            • Privacy
                                            • Cookies Policy
                                            • EULA
                                            • Terms of Service

                                            • About Opera
                                            • Press info
                                            • Jobs
                                            • Investors
                                            • Become a partner
                                            • Contact us

                                            Follow Opera

                                            • Opera - Facebook
                                            • Opera - Twitter
                                            • Opera - YouTube
                                            • Opera - LinkedIn
                                            • Opera - Instagram

                                            © Opera Software 1995-