How Do I Remove Spyware Manually

First of all check to see if you can remove it automatically :) using a software.

To remove a spyware manually you need to know some technical information about the spyware. Such info as:

- What folders or files the spyware adds to your computer?
- What registry entries it adds on your computer?
- What processes did the spyware add?

To make sure you remove the spyware 100% completely you need to know as much of that information as possible. The more the better.

I explain each question in simple terms now and give you an example.


What folders or files the spyware adds to your computer?

When a spyware infects your computer it usually installs files inside your computer. When you install a software such as MSN Messenger you will see a new folder called Messenger. Same thing happens when a spyware infects your computer. Usually they also add a folder or a file - or multiple folders/files.

You need to remove those folders/files that the spyware created. If you know the file names you simple Click Start, then Click Search - search for files and folders. Then search for the folder/file name and delete them.


What registry entries it adds on your computer?

When you install MSN Messenger or any other software these also ADD registry entries. These are sort of files that are added to your Registry. Registry is a file manager that contains important files about your computer.

To access registry click Start, then click Run and type in Regedit Then hit OK.

You need to know what registry entries you should delete. A registry entry is something like this:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \
clsid {029e02f0-a0e5-4b19-
b958-7bf2db29fb13}

When you delete spyware manually you should know what you are doing. You must make a registry backup before deleting anything from the registry. You must also make sure that you delete the exact registry entries the spyware created.

Refer to my other post to discover how to delete a registry entry.


What processes did the spyware add?

A process is a program that is running invisible or visible on your computer. For example Internet Explorer is a visible running program if you are currently using it.

However some programs are also running and working right now but you cannot see them. They are useful just for the computer to work properly.

To find what processes are running on your computer Press and Hold these three keys: CTRL, WINDOWS, DELETE buttons on your keyboard. Then press them all together multiple times. Task Manager will open.

Note: WINDOWS button has the Microsoft windows logo on it.

Now click the processes tab and there you see a whole list of running processes on your computer. Now spyware usually add new processes that they create. You need to know what the processes name are and then find them and click END PROCESS button on the Task Manager window.

Not all spyware add processes. Below I tell you how to find all this technical information.


AND finally - Where do you get all that information?

If you have an anti adware/spyware software you can contact their support service or maybe they have a forum - so you post in the forum.

If you contact me by email or leave a comment I give you information you need. Just tell me what is the name of the spyware/adware/trojan etc that has infected you.

Here is a REAL EXAMPLE of manual removal instructions for a spyware called AbetterInternet. There is all the information you need plus all the steps you should take to remove that spyware.

So now as you might realize software are a great help cause they do all of those steps for us automatically plus error free. You do not have to be any expert to manually remove a spyware as long as you have simple instructions and you follow them carefully.

Always backup your computer before doing something as big as deleting a spyware. If you are going to delete files, registry entries or in some way or another mess with things you are not 100% familiar with - do a backup first.

Backup registry if you are gonna deleting registry entries.
Backup hardrive if you want to delete folders/files.
Create system restore point if you have Windows XP.

It is important cause deleting registry entries you should not delete will harm your computer. Deleting folders/files you should not delete will also harm your computer. Harming your computer means it will either stop working, give a ton of errors, some things won't work good anymore and a TON more possible errors.

To recover those errors you may risk loosing all your computer folders/files if you have to re install a fresh copy of windows. The risk loosing saved information is high. Any documents, pictures, installed software, downloaded files, settings could get ruined forever.

How Do I Remove Spyware Manually