Opera is a typical modern-day browser with an intuitive interface and ease of use to boot. One of its strengths is its unrivaled security features to protect users online.
Opera browser assistant is an official program that poses no privacy and security threat.This program helps to improve the user experience on Opera by suggesting improved features.It is not the first of its kind, as some other modern browsers have similar programs running in the background.
Easy migration: use the Opera assistant to transfer exiting data, such as bookmarks, passwords, etc.
Optimize resource usage: your RAM memory is used more efficiently than in other browsers
Enhanced privacy: free and unlimited VPN integrated
No ads: built-in Ad Blocker speeds up loading of pages and protects against data-mining
Gaming friendly: Opera GX is the first and best browser for gaming
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It is a safe browser with built-in VPN and ad blocker. The VPN feature allows you to surf the web anonymously and access location-restricted contents without being detected. With the ad blocker, you are sure that no malicious link disguised as ads can ever trouble you.
These, with its other features like anti-tracking, show its dedication to security. However, users are starting to notice a program called the Opera assistant browser running in the background without their consent.
This has led to confusion and a series of questions, especially about the legitimacy and security of the program.
If you are thinking of disabling this feature because you don’t know what it is, you might want to wait till after reading this guide before making that decision.
What does the Opera browser assistant do?
What is Opera browser assistant?
The Opera browser Assistant is an official program from Opera. It is downloaded automatically with the Opera browser and runs in the background to improve your experience with the app.
Although it runs without notice and uses some system resources, it is confirmed to be harmless and poses no danger to your PC. This should put to rest all concerns on if the Opera browser assistant is a virus or not.
For more assurance, the program only exists because you have the Opera browser on your PC. The moment you uninstall the browser, you automatically remove the program.
How does it work?
The Opera browser assistant helps to improve the efficiency of the browser. Generally, it is an important component that gives texture hints on some Opera features and other information you might be interested in.
According to the official website, it sometimes displays notifications to inform you of some Opera browser features you might be missing while also checking if you have any missed notifications.
It is important to note that the Task Scheduler on your PC has a task dedicated to the program. This task, named Opera scheduled assistant 1584408358, is there specifically to ensure the program stays up-to-date.
Furthermore, to improve your experience with the browser, the program collects data such as feature usage statistics. It should be noted that no personal information is collected or sent.
Lastly, Opera is not the first to introduce a feature like this. Something similar exists in most modern browsers like Chrome and Microsoft Edge. And they are all there to improve your experience and nothing more.
Is Opera browser assistant necessary?
Opera browser assistant is a good to have feature. As mentioned earlier, it is all about improving your experience with your favorite browser.
Also, since it is not dangerous and does not collect your personal information, you have nothing to lose having it on your PC. However, it is not the most important feature.
Not having it does not take away anything from what you get on Opera. As a matter of fact, not all Opera users have it with their browsers.
How do I download the Program?
You can’t download this software as a standalone program, since there’s no Opera browser assistant installer. It is automatically installed with the browser when you download it.
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Do note that not all versions of the program in them. Some reports claim that the program gets installed if you download Opera browser with another program such as antivirus software.
Some users also reported getting the Opera browser assistant from an offline installer downloaded on the official website. So, downloading a new browser does not guarantee getting the program.
How do I disable the Opera browser assistant?
Disable Opera browser assistant in Windows 11
1. Disable from Startup
- Press the Windows key and type Task Manager. Click the Task Manager app.
- Select the Startup tab from the options at the top of the window.
- Locate Opera Browser Assistant and right-click on it.
- Click the Disable option.
This solution helps you stop the Opera browser assistant from running on startup. However, this does not mean it will not be present on your PC. It will still be there but with reduced resource usage, especially when you start your PC.
2. Remove or rename the program
- Press the Windows key and type Task Manager.
- Select the Task Manager app from the options displayed.
- Click the Startup tab at the top.
- Right-click on Opera Browser Assistant and select the Disable option.
- Right-click on the Opera Browser Assistant.
- Select Open the file location.
- Locate the file named browser_assistant and rename or remove it as you deem it fit.
If you can’t rename or remove the program, restart your PC in Safe mode and repeat the steps. In this mode, you should be able to make the required changes.
Disable Opera browser assistant in Windows 10
- Press the Windows key + X and select the Task Manager option.
- Choose the Startup option from the Menu tab at the top.
- Locate Opera Browser Assistant and right-click on it.
- Click the Disable option and close the window.
Like Windows 11, this fix does not allow Opera browser assistant to autostart, thereby reducing its resource usage. But it will still be on your PC and only work when needed.
- Press the Windows key + X and choose Task Manager.
- Select Startup from the menu tab at the top.
- Locate the Opera Browser Assistant and right-click on it.
- Choose the Disable option.
- Select Processes from the menu tab.
- Right-click on the Opera Browser Assistant.
- Select Open the file location.
- Select the browser_assistant and right-click on it.
- Choose the Rename option to rename it or Delete to remove it.
These steps only remove the the software in the folder you selected. To remove everything that has to do with it, choose all the files in the location and delete them.
Note that removing these files does not affect the performance of the Opera browser in any way.
Disable Opera browser assistant in Windows 7
1. Stop in Startup
- Press the Windows key and type msconfig in the search box.
- Select the msconfig option. This will open the System Configuration window.
- Click the General tab from the top menu.
- Check the radio button for Selective startup.
- Now, select Startup from the top menu tab.
- Find Opera Browser Assistant and uncheck it.
- Click the Apply button followed by OK.
- Finally, click the Restart button when prompted.
It is imperative that you enable the Selective Startup mentioned in Step 4. If you fail to enable it or disable it in the future, the program will start running on startup again.
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2. Delete or rename the program
- Click the Start icon, type msconfig in the search box, and select the msconfig option.
- Click the General tab from the top menu and check the box for Selective startup.
- Select Startup from the top menu tab and uncheck Opera Browser Assistant.
- Click the Apply button followed by OK.
- Click the Exit without restart button when prompted.
- Now, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager app.
- Click the Processes tab at the top.
- Right-click on the Opera Browser Assistant and select Open the file location.
- Find the file named browser_assistant.exe and rename or remove it.
If you can’t rename or remove the program, restart your PC in Safe mode and restart the process from Step 6 till the end. This should correct all issues causing the problem.
It is important to state that the fixes for disabling Opera browser assistant on Windows 11/10/7 will continue to work till you update your browser. After an update, the program will likely start running again.
All you need is to repeat these steps, and things should be back to normal.
How do I stop the Opera browser assistant from running in the background?
The best way to stop Opera browser assistant from running in the background is to disable it from startup. This has been explained in detail above.
But if for some reason, this does not work for you, you can delete or rename the program to remove it totally from your PC.
We have come to the end of this comprehensive guide. It covers everything you need to know, like what does the Opera browser assistant do, how to remove it, and all other questions you might have.
If you want to install Opera without losing data after uninstalling it, you can check this well-detailed guide on how to go about it.
Do you have any more concerns about the assistant feature? Feel free to express them in the comments section below.
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