How to Remove Resident Spybot

The Spybot Search & Destroy software constantly has two resident features running called the "Resident SDHelper" and "Resident TeaTimer." These features continuously scan activity on your computer to prevent spyware from being downloaded through your web browser. The resident features can interfere with some types of software or installation programs, however, so you may need to temporarily remove them from time to time.

Things You'll Need

• Spybot software

Instructions

1. Open the Spybot Search & Destroy program. Click "Mode" and choose "Advanced." Click "Yes" to confirm the change.

2. Navigate to the "Tools" tab at the lower left end of the window. Click the icon of a shield labeled "Resident."

3. Remove the check marks from the check boxes labeled "Resident SDHelper Active" and "Resident TeaTimer Active."

4. Close the Spybot Search and Destroy program. Restart your computer.

5. Open the Spybot program again when you want to turn the Resident SDHelper and Resident TeaTimer features back on. Navigate back to "Tools" and the "Resident." Check the two boxes and then close the program.

Tips & Warnings

• You cannot remove the "Resident" features of Spybot Search & Destroy in Windows Vista if you open the program normally. Instead you need to right-click the Spybot icon and choose "Run as Administrator."

• Avoid surfing the Internet or downloading any files while the "Resident" features are being removed. Your computer will not be protected by the "Resident" features, so your operating system is more likely to be infiltrated by spyware programs.

References

• Safer-Networking.org: Removing Spybot Resident Feature
• Malwarehelp.org: Enabling and Disabling Spybot's Resident TeaTimer

Resources

• Safer-Networking.org: Spybot Support