Remove spyware from your computer

Follow these procedures in order until the spyware is removed.

Use a spyware scanner and removal tool

Windows Defender is a program from Microsoft that you can download and install for Windows to help prevent malicious software, spyware, and other potentially unwanted software from infecting your computer. When Windows Defender is on, you're alerted if spyware and other potentially unwanted software tries to run or install itself on your computer. You choose if you want to ignore, quarantine, or remove each item that is detected. For more information, see Scan for spyware and other potentially unwanted software.

Spyware scanners are also frequently included in antivirus programs. If you have already installed an antivirus program, check to see if that program includes spyware protection features or if you can add them as an update, and then scan your computer regularly. You can see a list of other spyware protection programs at the Microsoft Security at Home website by going to http://www.microsoft.com and searching for 'security at home downloads'.

Troubleshoot removing spyware

Spyware can sometimes infect areas of your computer that are difficult to clean without causing further problems. If an antispyware program notifies you that it can't remove spyware, follow any directions provided by the program. If that doesn't work, try these options:

• Check Add or Remove Programs for items that don't belong on your computer.

  Use this method with extreme caution. Control panel lists many programs, most of which are not spyware. Many spyware programs use special installation methods to avoid showing up in Add or Remove Programs. Occasionally, a spyware program will offer an uninstall option and can be removed with this method. Only remove programs you can positively identify as spyware, and do not remove programs that you might want to keep, even if you don't use them very often. To learn how to remove programs, search for "Change or remove a program" in Help and Support.

• Restore your computer to how it was before it was infected by spyware.

  If you can identify when the spyware was installed, you might be able to use System Restore to restore your computer to the state that it was in before the problem started. You can use Software Explorer to find the installation date for some programs. See Using Software Explorer. To learn how to restore your computer to a previous state, search for "System Restore" in Help and Support.

• Reinstall Windows.

  Some spyware can hide itself so well that it can't be removed. If you still see evidence of spyware after trying the first two solutions listed here, you might need to reinstall Windows and your programs.

Warning

• Reinstalling Windows will remove spyware, but it will also delete your files and programs. If you have to reinstall Windows, make sure that you back up your documents and files, and that you have access to the installation discs you will need to reinstall your programs.

Related Topics

Using Windows Defender

Join the Microsoft SpyNet community

Spyware: frequently asked questions