1. Download Spybot

The first step to use Spybot to remove spyware is to download the Spybot software.  Click "Download Now" on the page that opens up to see the file download box below.  Then click "Save" and save the installer to your hard drive (the desktop is a good place to save it).

2. Install Spybot

After the download is complete, double click on the downloaded file to start the installation.  The installer is straightforward and requires choosing a language, accepting the user license, entering an installation location, and some basic setup parameters.  The default settings work well so you can click your way through the installer using the Next button. 

After the installation has completed, make sure to checkmark the "Run SpybotSD.exe" box, then click on the Finish button.  This will exit the installer and start Spybot.

3. Running Spybot for the first time

The first time you run Spybot it will run the Spybot-S&D Wizard automatically.  This wizard will help you configure the initial Spybot settings. 

Registry Backup:

First, the Spybot wizard asks you to do is create a backup of your computer's registry.  The "registry" is a database used by Windows to store your computer's configuration information.  If the Windows registry gets corrupt, your computer will not run correctly.  If you have a backup of the registry, it is possible to restore this backup and get Windows running properly again.  Therefore, it is recommended to click on the "Create registry backup" button. 

This backup may take a few minutes to complete, depending on the speed of your computer.  When the backup is complete, you return to the same screen on the wizard. Click the "Next" button.

Update:

Next, update the Spybot software.  Updating Spybot is VERY important.  Click on the "Search for updates" button (you must have Internet access to do this).  If updates are found, Click the "Download all available updates" button.  This will install the current updates available.

Note: Sometimes the downloads don't complete correctly. It can take a few minutes before it reacts to your request to update. Please be patient and give it up to 4 minutes to start.  To check if the download was successful, move the wizard window to the middle of the screen and make sure there is a green check mark next to everything in the "Update" column.  If so, click the "Next" button in the Spybot Wizard.

If the update is unsuccessful, instead of a green check mark, there will be a crossed out exclamation point in the "Update" column.  Usually, this occurs because Spybot connect to the default server to download updates.  By default, Spybot tries to connect to the "SpybotSD.de (Europe)" server.  To change this, click the drop down arrow between the "Search for Updates" button and "Download Updates" button in the main Spybot window.  Click on the "Spybot.Us" option which is usually the second choice in the list.  Then click the "Download all available updates" button in the Spybot Wizard.  Once the updates have downloaded, there will be green check marks next to the updates.  Go ahead and click the "Next" button in the Spybot Wizard to continue.  If the updates still aren't downloaded successfully, contact your local ResCom desk for assistance.

For more information on the importance of updates, see the Updating Spybot section below. 

Immunize:

After updating Spybot, the wizard prompts you to Immunize your system.  Click the "Immunize this system" button.  When immunization is complete, the wizard will show 2 lines of text, saying that immunization has finished and that XXXX number of bad products are now blocked.  For more information on the Spybot Immunize feature, check out the Immunizing your computer section below.  To finish the wizard, click the "Next" button.  

Finish:

Once you have completed the steps listed above you are ready to run the program.  Spybot prompts you to read the tutorial and help file, the choice is your to make.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE MOST CURRENT UPDATES TO Spybot.  Therefore, if you have not done this in the step listed above, please take the time to do it now. Check for updates.  Click here to continue with the main tutorial and run a Spybot scan.