Offline scan with Ad-Aware for spyware and adware

Ad-Aware 2007 is a leading product which you can use to scan for and remove spyware and adware from your computer. It can be downloaded from the Internet free of charge. Ad-aware uses definition files to recognize the malware it is searching for, and it is important that you have the latest version of these files when scanning with Ad-Aware. These definition files are separate from the executable file. These definition files are separate from the executable file. When the computer on which Ad-Aware is being run is connected to the Web, Ad-Aware can perform a Web update. When there is no Internet connectivity, the user must download and install these definition files manually.

Open the folder the previously downloaded Ad-Aware 2007 installer it is in and double-click Aaw2007.exe to start the Install Wizard.
Select the language you want and click OK. The installer will check for previously installations. If you have a previous version of Ad-Aware, click Yes to uninstall it. Presently the install wizard will start. Click Next and accept the license agreement, then click Next, then click Next again if necessary.
Select Standard Installation and click Next. Use the default destination folder, and click Next, and click Next again. The installation will start. When Ad-Aware is finished installing select Use Free in the Product registration window unless you have a purchased version. Click Finish. Ad-Aware will open.
When Ad-Aware opens, get the latest definition files. Click the Update button. If you are asked if you would like to update the Definitions File, click Yes. When the updates are completed, click OK. Go to step .
If you do not have Internet connectivity, close Ad-Aware. Copy the file defs.ref you downloaded previously to the Ad-Aware installation directory, normally C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007. Rename the file "defs.aawdef" (without the quotes.)
Open Ad-Aware and
Click Scan Now, then select the type of scan you want. Then click Scan. Ad-Aware will perform a scan of your computer for spyware and adware.
When the scan is finished, Ad-Aware display a sheet with a summary of the scan at the bottom, and three tabs at the top. The leftmost two tabs show pages listing critical objects and privacy objects. You will normally want to remove all of them. Do so by clicking each group box to check it, and then click the Remove button below the list.
Repeat this on both pages. The rightmost tab shows a page with a log file showing the results`

Hint! To check all the checkboxes on a longer list of objects, right-click on the list, and on the pop-up menu click Select All Objects.

Scan your computer with Ad-Aware regularly, being sure to always get the latest updates first. How often you need to scan depends on your browsing habits, and what you use your computer for.

You should also be using Spybot and Microsoft Defender to protect your computer. Which of these products is the best is a moot point. Scan with any of them, and the others may still find additional objects, so your best solution is to use them all.