Before you begin

      Ad-Aware runs on computers with Microsoft Windows 98/Me and Windows XP Professional and Home Editions.

      These instructions assume that your computer has a working Internet connection.

      • If you are unable to access the Internet from your computer and you live on campus, please contact a Residential Computer Consultant for assistance. If you have a laptop computer, you may also bring it to the ResNet Office for assistance with these instructions.

      • If you are unable to access the Internet from your computer and you live off campus, please contact your internet Service Provider (ISP) for assistance. If you have a laptop computer, you may also bring it to the ResNet Office for assistance with these instructions.

    A. Obtain Ad-Aware

    1. Obtain the latest free Ad-aware software by Lavasoft (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/)

      • Visit http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/
      • Click on the software button.
      • You will be taken to a Download.com website. Click Download Now.
      • When prompted, choose to Save the file to a convenient location on your hard disk (such as your Desktop folder).

      Please move ahead to Section B.

    B. Install Ad-Aware and remove the adware/spyware/pop-ups

    1. Double-click on the aawsepersonal.exe icon (which should be on your computer's desktop unless you saved it in another location).

    2. Ad-Aware's setup program will launch on your computer. Click Next.

    3. Read the license agreement and check the box next to I accept the license agreement.

    4. Click Next.

    5. By default, the software will be installed on your hard drive in the Program Files folder. Click Next.

    6. Click the button next to Anyone who uses this computer.

    7. Click Next.

    8. Click Next to begin the installation of Ad-Aware.

    9. When the software has finished installing, uncheck the option to open the Help window and click Finish.

    10. Ad-Aware will automatically search for and download any updates needed.

    11. Ad-Aware will automatically scan your computer for adware/spyware.

    12. When the scan is complete, click Next.

    13. The scanning results will show you what files should be removed from your computer. Not all of the items may have a checkmark in the "Obj." column. Check the box for each item listed in the "Obj." column so that it will be removed if a check is not already there.

    14. Click Next.

    15. If prompted, click OK to remove the objects.

    16. Close the window to quit Ad-aware.

    17. Restart your computer in Safe mode.

        18. To start your computer in Safe mode, shut down the computer, turn off the power, and wait 30 seconds. Press F8 after restarting before the Windows screen appears. If pressing F8 does not boot your computer into Safe mode, please refer to the instructions from your computer's manufacturer for assistance.

    18. Run the Ad-aware software again to make sure any files that could not be detected and/or removed before can now be deleted. There are several pop-ups that are being seen at Saint Mary's that can only be detected and/or removed by Ad-aware in Safe mode. Double-click on the Ad-aware icon to launch the program.

    19. Click the Start button in the lower right corner of the Ad-aware window.

    20. Make sure that the selected scan mode is Perform smart system-scan and that the Activate in-depth scanis selected. Click Next.

    21. Ad-aware will scan your computer for known adware, spyware, pop-ups, and other related software.

    22. When the scan is complete, click Next.

    23. The scanning results will show you what files should be removed from your computer. Not all of the items may have a checkmark in the "Obj." column. Check the box for each item listed in the "Obj." column so that it will be removed if a check is not already there.

    24. Click Next.

    25. If prompted, click OK to remove the objects.

    26. Close the window to quit Ad-aware.

    27. Restart your computer.

      28. Please move ahead to Section C.

    C. Finishing up

      You may now drag the aawsepersonal.exe file from your computer's desktop to the Recycle Bin. You should not need that file again.

      You may decide to remove Ad-aware, but you may find it helpful to periodically run the software on your computer to remove future adware and spyware on your computer, and ResNet recommends doing so. Instructions for running Ad-Aware on your computer for regular adware/spyware cleaning is at the bottom of this page.

    Congratulations! You have now removed many of the pop-ups, as well as additional adware and spyware from your computer. If you would like additional adware/spyware/pop-up protection, ResNet recommends using another removal tool such as Ewido's Anti-Malware software. These two tools are both free and work well in combination with each other to rid your computer of unwanted software.

    If you need additional assistance beyond the instructions we provide on the ResNet web site (http://www.saintmarys.edu/~resnet), please fill out a ResNet Problem Report Form at http://fixit.saintmarys.edu and an RCC will assist you.

    Running Ad-Aware on Your Computer for Regular Adware/Spyware Cleaning

    1. There should be an Ad-Aware icon on the desktop of your computer. Double-click on the Ad-aware icon to launch the program.

    2. Click the "Check for updates now" link above Ad-Aware's Start button to make sure you have the latest anti-spyware definitions available for Ad-Aware.

    3. Click the Start button in the lower right corner of the Ad-Aware window.

    4. Make sure that the selected scan mode is "Perform smart system-scan" and that the "Activate in-depth scan" is selected. Click Next.

    5. Ad-aware will scan your computer for known adware, spyware, pop-ups, and other related software.

    6. When the scan is complete, click Next.

    7. The scanning results will show you what files should be removed from your computer. Not all of the items may have a checkmark in the "Obj." column. Check the box for each item listed in the "Obj." column so that it will be removed if a check is not already there.

    8. Click Next.

    9. If prompted, click OK to remove the objects.

    10. Close the window to quit Ad-aware.

    11. Restart your computer.

Last Modified May 16, 2006