I'm confused

[fin man]

I've downloaded a free spyware program and installed it. ( spyware doctor). It will do a scan, tell me I have "X" amount of infected files then want me to register to fix them. I seem to find all the so called free spyware and adware programs that are always asking me to purchase the full version to actually repair the infected files. I used to be able to run adaware se but for some reason it will not complete a scan without locking up my pc. I've used up my free trial periods on webroot, which I really liked, and others but, again, I have to purchase the full version to make it work.
If I am going to purchase a fully operational spyware program what 3 are the best ones to get?

[mander]

I would do a free scan for junk files with ccleaner before going any further. www.ccleaner.com (http://www.ccleaner.com)


Ccleaner is your friend. Comes highly recommended by many people here including computer techs. Run this and defrag and reboot and see if you still have issues and report back.

If you still have issues, download and run hijackthis and cut and paste a report here.

[Bogie]

Use the Microsoft AntiSpyware program - best there is available - and it's free from the download section on the MS website.

And I second the CCleaner ... great freeware junk file cleaner.

[andyman]

I use spyware doctor all the time (it's fast)
after the scan click continue then you select and delete them

[Dr McCoy]

I have to disagree. Microsoft AntiSpy is not the best. Not by a long shot. Any site you go to rates it no more than a middle of the pack software. Spysweeper & CounterSpy are the 2 best by far. They are always the highest rated at finding crap on your computer also. I have Spybot as my #3 defense against spyware. I had AntiSpy, but got rid of it since I found it as useless as Ad Aware SE.

[frostyone]

You might be interested to know that Counterspy and Microsoft's Anti-spyware are basically the same.

Microsoft purchased Giant anti-spyware and rebranded it.
To their horror they discovered that Giant had also just licensed the technology to Sunbelt software.
Sunbelt rebranded their Giant antispyware under the name Counterspy.
Microsoft has reached an agreement with Sunbelt and continues to provide the definitions and updates to Counterspy.

They are in essence the same product..

Biggest difference is that Microsoft removed the W98 and windowsME capability.

And yes BOTH are very good.

[Taz]

See this Thread (http://www.thecomputermechanics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4676)
for his issues