Preparing to Remove Spyware

If you have determined that you do indeed have a serious spyware infestation, and a simple scan with a reliable spyware scanner won't do the trick, then read this section to learn to prepare your system to remove spyware.

First thing that you should do is BACK UP any important documents and anything else you'd miss. This could include the following:

• Documents (MS Word, Excel, etc. files)
• Pictures
• Music
• Peer-to-Peer Downloaded files
• Emails (If you use Outlook or a similar email client)
• Bookmarks / Favorites
• Any other files on your PC you would miss.

You may not lose anything, but backing up is a precautionary step that you should take even if you weren't about to kick some serious spyware butt.

Disable System Restore

System Restore is the feature built into later versions of Windows (XP and above) that lets you restore your system back to a restore point in case something goes wrong. Unfortunately, if your PC is heavily infected with virii and spyware, then there's a good chance that they are hiding themselves in the Restore area and will restore themselves after you reboot.

To turn off System Restore, follow the steps below:

Start > Control Panel > System > System Restore tab > check Turn off system restore on all drives

Confirm that you want to go ahead as shown in the image above.

Show hidden files

By default, Windows hides hidden files, folders and operating system files. A lot of spyware hide themselves this way. You should unhide them for the purpose of this guide.

1. Select Show hidden files and folders

2. Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types

3. Uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)

4. Click Apply and OK

You will restore these settings later.

Remove Spyware in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a Windows mode with the minimal number of drivers and programs loaded and running. If you have problems booting into Windows for whatever reason, try Safe Mode and you will have more chance of Windows loading up, thus letting you undo any changes you made previously, which you suspect caused the problems.

It is not compulsory to boot into Safe Mode to remove most spyware threats but it is sometimes necessary because the spyware is running and the spyware processes cannot be ended (or they keep returning). Some tools cannot run in Safe Mode so you do still need to boot into Normal Mode to perform those steps. For this guide, you do not need to do it unless you are unable to remove a spyware program.

If you do need to resort to safe mode at any point in this guide, refer to the following:

1. To boot into Safe Mode, restart your computer and repeatly hit the F8 key on your keyboard.

2. You should see the above. If you see a boot device priority menu instead, then you have missed the opportunity. Restart the computer again and repeat step 1. Select Safe Mode if it's not already selection and hit ENTER.

3. You will then be given the choice of what operating system you wish to start. Most people only have the one option but there is the possibility of more than one. Simply pick the one you boot up in.

4. Give it a few minutes to boot. Speed will vary depending on your system. You will see something similar to the above.