Running Spybot for the First Time
Once you have downloaded and installed Spybot, you can start using its spyware filter. Instructions for running it the first time are listed below.
  1. Close all open windows.
  2. Click on the Start button in your computer's Taskbar.
  3. A menu will appear.
  4. Hold your cursor over the All Programs option.
  5. Another menu will appear.
  6. Hold your cursor over the Spybot - Search & Destroy option.
  7. A sub-menu will appear.
  8. Click on the Spybot - Search & Destroy option.
  9. A Spybot Legal Stuff dialog will open.

  10. Click on the OK button.
  11. A Compatibility Warning dialog will appear only if you have Ad-aware installed on your computer.

  12. Click on the OK button.
  13. A Spybot Wizard dialog will appear.

  14. Click on the Next button.
  15. Another Spybot Wizard dialog will appear.

  16. Click on the Search for Updates button.
  17. Once the search is done, click on the Download All Available Updates button.
  18. Once the download is complete, click on the Next button.
  19. Yet another Spybot Wizard dialog will appear.

  20. Click on the Immunize this System button.
  21. When the immunization is complete, click on the Next button.
  22. The last Spybot Wizard dialog will appear.

  23. Click on the Start Using The Program button.
  24. The Spybot - Search & Destroy window will appear.

  25. Click on the Search & Destroy icon in the upper left-hand corner.
  26. The dialog will change.

  27. Click on the Check for Problems button.
  28. Spybot will begin its search for spyware on your computer. This process can last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes.
  29. When the process is complete, Spybot will list its findings.

  30. Click on the Fix Selected Problems button.
  31. A dialog will appear, stating that all of the objects you selected will be removed.
  32. Click on the Yes button.
  33. A Confirmation dialog will appear, stating that the spyware problems have been fixed.
  34. Click on the OK button.
  35. Click on the Recovery icon in the upper left-hand corner.
  36. The Recovery dialog will appear.

  37. Select the backup file that contains all of the quarantined items.
  38. Click on the Purge Selected Items button.
  39. A dialog will appear, stating that the backup will be removed.
  40. Click on the Yes button.
  41. The spyware will be deleted.
  42. You may close the Spybot - Search & Destroy window.

Click HERE to return to the Table of Contents.