How to Download, Install, and Use AdAware by Lavasoft

 AdAware is one of the best programs out there that finds and removes spyware, malware, adware, and other programs that install without your knowledge.  Spyware has become a major reason why people have problems with the Internet.  Spyware programs run without your consent, making your Internet connection slower and using up computer resources while sending advertisements and pop-up ads to your computer. 

Downloading AdAware:

1.  Download to install AdAware.
2. On the next page, click the Download Now button, your download should begin in a few seconds.
3. When your download begins, choose Run or Open in the popup window.
4. The program is fairly large and will take a few minutes to fully transfer.
5. Once complete, choose to Run or Open to begin installation.

Installing AdAware:

1. AdAware, by default, comes with everything you need to get started, there should be no special settings we need to adjust.
2. Once the installation begins, click Next. 
3. Read the Agreement, check mark the box that says you Agree and click Next.
4. Click Next without changing any of the settings until the installation begins.
5. Once complete there will be a section with three check marks.  For these instructions, take the check marks off all three.
6. Click Finish.

Running AdAware:

1. You should now have an Ad-Aware icon on your desktop:
   

2. Double Click on the Ad-Aware icon and you should now see the Ad-Aware control screen:
   

3. If you are able to connect to the Internet, your first step should always be checking for updates.  If this is not possible it can be skipped - skip ahead to step 6.  To run updates, click the Check for Updates Now link in the lower right corner of the Ad-Aware window.

4. Click the Connect button on the next screen.

5. If there are updates available, Ad-Aware will begin downloading these.  Click Finish when done.

6. Click the Start button to begin scanning your computer for spyware.  This can take up to 30 minutes or longer.

7. Once finished, Ad-Aware will notify you with a buzzing sound and you will see something like this:
   
   In this example Ad-Aware has found 144 objects related to Spyware.

8. Click Next.  Ad-Aware will show you a detailed listing of every item it has found.  Right-Click on any item and choose "Select All."  Then click the Next button.

9. Ad-Aware will ask you wish to continue.  Click OK.

10. After deleting all the items, Ad-Aware takes you back to the starting screen.  Close the program by clicking the X in the upper right corner.

11. That's it, you are all done.  In most cases if your computer was heavily infected (300+ items) it should be much faster.  You should run AdAware whenever you start getting a lot of pop-ups, or your computer starts acting up, or once every 2-3 weeks for maintenance purposes.  Make sure to check for updates (Step 3) whenever possible!

NOTE:  If Ad-Aware warns you that it was not able to remove all the items found, it will ask you if you want to remove them at the next restart.  Choose Yes in this instance and reboot your computer.