Spybot is generally not recommended to be used in conjunction with Win 7.
SuperAntiSpyware & Malwarebytes are much better alternatives.
Suggest you also consider SpywareBlaster.
All 3 listed above have free versions should you so require.
SUPERAntiSpyware.com | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!
Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a free download that removes viruses and malware from your computer
SpywareBlaster® | Prevent spyware and malware. Free download.
As for general / registry cleaners....
Rarely is it necessary to use one of these.
If you do not have knowledge of the registry, then you would probably be better off leaving it alone, and definitely not placing blind trust in a program to do the job for you.
Note - IMO - there is no reliable way for a third party program to know whether any particular key is invalid, redundant or neither. Some registry cleaners may not know for sure whether a key is still being used by Windows or what detrimental effects removing it may have. This has led to examples of registry cleaners causing loss of functionality and/or system instability.
Yes thanks you all. And I am a novice and don't want to muck around which is why I came by. I mean, now that I'm on the dark side, heh heh.
OK, I will do that. I have already uninstalled Spybot. Tomorrow I'll look into the others listed above. Since several are recommended, anyone have a preference? Thanks, Clare
Mike.... Just a FYI....Hi
I use Malwarebytes along with Microsoft Security Essentials.
In addition which is probably over kill I run AVG Antivirus software.
Mike
Thanks for your explanation.Hi
I know it's not recommended but I've been doing it since MSE came out and haven't had any problems so I continued to do it.
I was running AVG first, and didn't want to stop using it but I wanted to try MSE.
I've found that once in a while one of then catches something the other doesn't.
Mike