Spyware is a real problem - one that takes alot of my time away from software development! I have not had a great deal of success in spyware removal (until now) using only one tool - I have used SpyBot, Adaware, Hi-jack This, among others - and have had limited success with each. My preferred method to this point was backup, reformat and reinstall Windows. But Microsoft's new Windows Antispyware (Beta) tool may change all of this.
Earlier today, I had a friend/customer call me seeking advice on a problem with his outgoing mail - after some discussion on how the system was responding (error messages etc), I figured the problem to be spyware related. Norton Antivirus was up to date and scanning clean; he had run the newest version of SpyBot (with up to date definitions) and system came up nearly clean (3 entries). I pointed him to download the new Microsoft Antispyware tool - he validated his version of windows (as required), downloaded/installed the application and ran the scan - less than 30 minutes later, he called to thank me for the great advice - his system was rid of issues he has tolerated for months - 83 returned issues and all were successfully removed. His system was running as he remembered when it was new!
What I enjoyed of this experience was that I was able to (quickly) help a friend/customer by simply pointing him in the direction of an effective tool - his problem was fixed on his own, with minimal downtime, at no cost and his computing experience was dramatically improved. As Microsoft exits the beta phase later this year, having this tool released at no cost (as part of a service pack/patch cycle) would pay significant dividends in the goal to make the computing experience a more pleasurable one!