How to Remove Spyware from an XP or Win 2000 PC

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Get a hold of a few programs on your computer or on CD-Rom: Microsoft Windows Defender

   Do not install any of these yet.
2. 2

   Step 2: Spybot Search & Destroy

   Choose Safe Mode with Network Support from the menu that appears. , The programs will prompt on install to run updates if they are needed. ,,,, Microsoft Windows Defender BETA 2 requires you to run it for the first time before it becomes active, choose all the default options and click 'Run Quick Scan' to finalize.
3. 3

   Step 3: and Ad-Aware SE

4. 4

   Step 4: Firefox and Thunderbird are a good start.

5. 5

   Step 5: Restart the computer and boot into safe mode by pressing F8 repeatedly as the computer starts up.

6. 6

   Step 6: Install and update for Spybot and Ad-Aware when your desktop loads.

7. 7

   Step 7: Run both programs' scan ability one at a time in any order you wish.

8. 8

   Step 8: Spybot will come up with a 'Fix' button but AdAware will require you to right click on the list and choose select all objects from the menu that pops up before clicking to 'fix problems'.

9. 9

   Step 9: Restart the computer into regular Windows.

10. 10

    Step 10: Install Firefox and Microsoft Windows Defender BETA 2 and update them both fully.

Detailed Guide

About the Author