Uninstalling Spyware Beta

[Gene Baker]

OK,

I love MS just as much as the next guy, but this popup
window telling me I have spyware (I have spybot Search and
destroy and ad-aware courtesy of my employer) and need to
run MS spyware scan has got to go.

Is there any way to disable or uninstall this program?

Thanks for all of your help,
Gene

 

[Andre Da Costa]

Uninstalling Microsoft AntiSpyware
If you need to remove Microsoft AntiSpyware from your computer, you can use
the Add/Remove Programs option from the Windows Control Panel or the
Uninstall Microsoft AntiSpyware option from the Programs menu. When
uninstalling, Windows may indicate that it is installing software. This is a
standard Microsoft installation message and can be disregarded.



To uninstall Microsoft AntiSpyware from the Windows Control Panel:



1. Do one of the following:

On the Windows taskbar, click Start, click Settings, and click Control
Panel.

On the Windows XP taskbar, click Start, and click Control Panel.

2. In the Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.


3. In the list of currently installed programs, click Microsoft AntiSpyware.


4. Do one of the following:

In Windows 2000, click Change/Remove.

In Windows XP, click Change.

5. Click Yes to confirm that you want to uninstall the product.


6. If you have files in quarantine, you are asked if you want to delete
them. Your options are:

Yes - Deletes the quarantined files from your computer.

No - Leaves the quarantined files on your computer, but makes them
inaccessible.

7. Click Finish.


8. Click Yes to restart your computer.



To Uninstall Microsoft AntiSpyware from the Programs Menu:



1. Do one of the following:

On the Windows taskbar, click Start, click Programs, and click Microsoft
AntiSpyware.

On the Windows XP taskbar, click Start, click All Programs, and click
Microsoft AntiSpyware.


2. Click Uninstall Microsoft AntiSpyware.


3. In the Application Maintenance window, click Remove.


4. Do one of the following:

On the Windows taskbar, click Start, click Settings, and click Control
Panel.

On the Windows XP taskbar, click Start, and click Control Panel.

5. In the Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.


6. Do one of the following:

In Windows 2000, click Change/Remove.

In Windows XP, click Remove.

7. Click Yes to confirm that you want to uninstall the product.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

What specific spyware does it mention?

Are you certain this message comes from Microsoft Antispyware? Can you
characterize how frequently this comes up?

In my experience on corporate desktops, this program says nearly nothing.
It says a bit more on my home machine where I frequently try various risky
things. However, if you are getting a continuous popup of some kind, I
would look for the process that is creating the events that Microsoft
Antispyware is warning you about, rather than looking at removing the
"messenger."

 

[Jon]

Sure. From the Start menu, open Control Panel and click
"Add or Remove Programs." Find Microsoft AntiSpyware in
the list and click "Remove."