1. I too use multi tool approach, I like the MS product, I find the interface a little sluggish in some parts (like start up) and I ran a full scan (35min) it did it's thing, then I ran a full scan with Ad-aware and it pick up a few tracking cookies that the MS product did not in fact it appears the MS product is not currently scanning cookies, I then ran SpyBot and it picked up some "DSO Exploits" (identified as from MS), So the hope of having just one tool is still eluding me :-)

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Scott

2. DSO Exploits will be there everytime you run SpyBot. It's a actually a bug in SpyBot that makes it detect something that is not a Spyware at all. Apparently it should be fix in their next version of Spybot.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Daniel

3. The program does not appear to get along well with the Google desktop beta. I lost network communications. My processor maxed out, and the Machine's Boot configuration needed to be resaved to get the machine to boot cleanly. I resolved the probems simply by removing both products to get my machine working again.
I've come to rely on the Google Seach (I know it's Beta) and will have to take the Microsoft Product into the Lab for isolatation and co-existence testing.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Trevor Warner

4. Well, I liked Giant's software, so I find this MS product very nice as well. Does what I need just fine.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Alex Ezell

5. Nice review, Marc. I just installed it and ran the quick scan option. Impressive speed and result. Better than Ad-Aware? Don't know yet. But I will certainly test it out.

Couple of things I'd like mention:

1. When you download the installation file, you encounter the new validation system on the Microsoft site. If you land on that site in Firefox, as I did, there will be problems because validation requires an ActiveX control. Easy to resolve, though, if you have the 'View this page in IE' Firefox extension installed.

2. Some display issues with the app itself. I ran it on a laptop with a 1600x1200 native screen res with fonts set at 110% of normal size (106dpi). That resulted in some screens with some text chopped off here and there.

Nevertheless, I agree with you - a neat app.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Neville Hobson

6. Hi Neville - thanks for the comments. I had already done the validation routine a while back so wasmn't challeneged with it this time but you're right. Firefox users will have a problem and the extension you mention is the first thing I install when I first put FF on a new system.

I gave up on the non-standard font size on my M200 (1400 x 1050 on a 12.1" LCD) because too many apps chop off or otherwise magle text displays. The tradeoff wasn't worth it for me.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Marc Orchant

7. Marc, I'd also done the validation thing a while ago, when I downloaded Photo Story 3, but it challenged me again today. No big deal though, just did it again.

Re screen res and fonts, I wear glasses and can't see a damn thing at normal size on a hi-res screen! So my tradeoff is 110% and being able to see stuff but some apps with strange display results :)

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Neville Hobson

8. Neville: The validation thing seems to be a somewhat random event. I had validated for Photo Story 3 (like you) but was not asked to do it again for the Antispyware tool. Last night, I downloaded a new theme I saw on Steven Bink's blog (a cool Portugese Discovery theme) and was again asked to validate. Go figure.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Marc Orchant

9. I've used the msft anti-spyware and the software did eliminate the various nasty spywares and pop-up ads in my unit. However for some reason I could not explain, my IE/web access was affected as well. Clicking on IE icon will run the browser for a blip-second and then disappear from screen. I have cable net access and have two other units with wireless web connections that were not affected. Anybody have I clue why I lost IE functionality in my wired unit? Help, anyone?

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by jlag56

10. Hi jlag56,

Had similar problems to what you are describing.

Between Messenger 7 (beta), MS Anti Spyware Beta and Media Player 10 I had many problems. With all 3 installed I could open a browser, but clicking a link which should open a new web page would give a flash of the screen and no new page. Furthermore, program installations also then failed (the MS installer wouldnt run - including XP service pack 2). After uninstalling all of the above things worked again. I then put them on again one at a time, now AntiSpyware wont install AT ALL. Its installer fails with a critical error.

Guess the problem is too much beta software.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Justin Williams

11. I just ran MS Anti Spyware Beta for the first time, and I found it to be fast and detailed. It looks like MS is trying to deal with some of the problems. In the whole, SpyBot S & D and Ad-Aware, better start looking over there shoulders.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Brian Caverley

12. I just ran MS Anti Spyware Beta for the first time, and I found it to be fast and detailed. It looks like MS is trying to deal with some of the problems. In the whole, SpyBot S & D and Ad-Aware, better start looking over there shoulders.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Brian Caverley

13. Yeah, it might be nice, but HOW ABOUT UPDATES? Ad-aware makes new updates every week or so, with Microsoft toll "I'm always updated, without updating it"
Besides, it sends reports from your computer, what kind of threads you had, directly to Microsoft.
Well, you can switch this option off with XP antispy, but still.
I will use this thing only when it is the last spy remover....

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by qewler

14. Looks nice, runs quickly, but... Always shows VNC & Damewhere remote control which are valid apps, ok doesn't say to remove and defaults to ignore, but not exactly competitor friendly! (Back to court?)
Also, I have the alt-tab powertoy installed, and just as well, its the only way to see the alerts, as they flash across the screen never to be seen again. Annoying as I now have to alt-tab several times to get passed them!

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by crabbers

15. I too use multi tool approach, I like the MS product, I find the interface a little sluggish in some parts (like start up) and I ran a full scan (35min) it did it's thing, then I ran a full scan with Ad-aware and it pick up a few tracking cookies that the MS product did not in fact it appears the MS product is not currently scanning cookies, I then ran SpyBot and it picked up some "DSO Exploits" (identified as from MS), So the hope of having just one tool is still eluding me :-)

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Scott

16. DSO Exploits will be there everytime you run SpyBot. It's a actually a bug in SpyBot that makes it detect something that is not a Spyware at all. Apparently it should be fix in their next version of Spybot.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Daniel

17. The program does not appear to get along well with the Google desktop beta. I lost network communications. My processor maxed out, and the Machine's Boot configuration needed to be resaved to get the machine to boot cleanly. I resolved the probems simply by removing both products to get my machine working again.
I've come to rely on the Google Seach (I know it's Beta) and will have to take the Microsoft Product into the Lab for isolatation and co-existence testing.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Trevor Warner

18. Well, I liked Giant's software, so I find this MS product very nice as well. Does what I need just fine.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Alex Ezell

19. Nice review, Marc. I just installed it and ran the quick scan option. Impressive speed and result. Better than Ad-Aware? Don't know yet. But I will certainly test it out.

Couple of things I'd like mention:

1. When you download the installation file, you encounter the new validation system on the Microsoft site. If you land on that site in Firefox, as I did, there will be problems because validation requires an ActiveX control. Easy to resolve, though, if you have the 'View this page in IE' Firefox extension installed.

2. Some display issues with the app itself. I ran it on a laptop with a 1600x1200 native screen res with fonts set at 110% of normal size (106dpi). That resulted in some screens with some text chopped off here and there.

Nevertheless, I agree with you - a neat app.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Neville Hobson

20. Hi Neville - thanks for the comments. I had already done the validation routine a while back so wasmn't challeneged with it this time but you're right. Firefox users will have a problem and the extension you mention is the first thing I install when I first put FF on a new system.

I gave up on the non-standard font size on my M200 (1400 x 1050 on a 12.1" LCD) because too many apps chop off or otherwise magle text displays. The tradeoff wasn't worth it for me.

Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Marc Orchant