Opera Browser Assistant?
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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.
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burnout426 Volunteer 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.
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mike88 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. -
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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/.
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mike88 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 ?
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burnout426 Volunteer 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.
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nvmjustagirl last edited by nvmjustagirl
i think i may make a firewall rule to block browser_assistant.exe.. before i even see it !.. lol
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mike88 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 !
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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
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zalex108 last edited byDoesn'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.
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
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leocg Moderator Volunteer last edited by
@operalinknx1 The Assistant is installed when Opera is installed from a third party program.
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rlwieneke last edited by
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.
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rlwieneke last edited by
It's Feb 26th 2020 and I just now got hit with this. I denied the action in Zone Alarm. I tested both Assistant_67.0.3575.31_Setup.exe and assistant_installer.exe on Virus Total and they both tested clean with valid Opera Software 2020 digital signatures. That having been said, I sometimes 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.
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rlwieneke last edited by
Somehow I failed to mention the third file: browser_assistant.exe when checked on Virus Total tested positive for MALWARE by Yomi Hunter.
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rlwieneke last edited by
Silly me, somehow I overlooked mentioning the third file: browser_assistant.exe when checked on Virus Total tested positive for MALWARE by Yomi Hunter.
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A Former User last edited by
@rlwieneke I just noticed today, 2/26/20, that I have "Opera Browser Assistant" as a new startup entry (when looking at startup programs in CCleaner, which I regularly do). This is absolutely a new thing, as I am very vigilant when it comes to startup apps/tasks, etc. Also, in scheduled tasks I have always had "Opera scheduled autoupdate" listed as a startup task, but now I noticed there is also an "Opera scheduled assistant autoupdate" task.
Now I am a little less certain of all the entries in that tab of CCleaner's "startup" area. I do think I've always had 2 Opera autoupdate-type tasks scheduled at startup, but I'm not sure if it said "assistant" before. Either way, something new is going on here. Doubt it's coincidence this thread was necro'd by 2 of us on the exact same day almost a year later.
