Even the best computers begin to get bogged down after a time, slowed by viruses, extra programs and files, or spyware. To speed up your computer and get it working in top form, you need to know how to get rid of spyware. Spyware is a form of software which gathers information about you and your computer use and shares that information with third parties without your knowledge. Most spyware is unwittingly downloaded packed with freeware or shareware programs though spyware can potentially be obtained through just about any type of download.http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/spyware.html Once spyware is installed on your computer it can be a challenge to uninstall it and fix the security holes that it creates.

Spyware, though sometimes tricky to defeat, does not normally require too much technical knowhow to defeat. The easiest way to remove spyware is to download and run an anti-spyware program. These programs scan your computer for spyware and uninstall, delete, or quarantine the programs. If that doesn't work you may need to run a system restore. This reverts your computer's system files back to an earlier date, hopefully a date before the spyware was first installed. As a last resort you may need to perform a clean install of your computer's operating system. This will clean the hard drive and delete all of your files and settings so it is important to backup all of your important files.

Most spyware can be easily gotten rid of simply by downloading and installing an anti-spyware program. These programs, which can be free of charge or for a price, scan your computer for any spyware files and then take action to nullify them. There are many different spyware scanners on the market today and it is important to find the best one for you.

Some popular and successful anti-spyware programs are Spybot - Search & Destroyhttp://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html, Lavasoft's Ad-Awarehttp://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/, and McAfee AntiSpywarehttp://www.mcafee.com/us/small/products/anti_spyware/anti_spyware.html, though there are numerous other options. Each software option offers different features and support.

No matter which option you pick, it is important to have a high quality spyware scanner on your computer at all times. If you run an updated scan regularly you can head off any serious spyware infestations and prevent your personal information from being stolen. Install your choice of spyware and update it immediately. Run an initial scan and check your computer for any problems. If the program finds spyware, allow it to clean up your computer. Once you have run an initial scan you can plan to scan your computer regularly. If your spyware scanner has a scheduling option, you may want to set it up to automatically scan your computer at a designated time each day, week, or month. If your spyware scanner has an immunization feature, run that as well. Do all you can to protect your computer so that it never gets infected. Your personal information can't be shared if you never get spyware.

If you have stubborn spyware program on your computer which all spyware scanners can't successfully get rid of, you may want to try running a system restore. System Restore is a feature of Microsoft Windows operating systems which allows you to roll back your computer's system files to a previous date. Each time you install new software, drivers, etc. you change system files, the registry, and more. This is also the case when spyware is installed. Luckily, Windows makes restore points periodically and, when you run a System Restore, you can change your system files back to the way they were at one of the restore points stored on your computer.

Running a System Restore can potentially roll back the computer to before the nasty spyware was installed. The good thing about System Restore is that, while it changes the system files back to a previous date, you will not lose any of your data, like music files, documents, etc.

To run a System Restore go to the Start menu and click All Programs. Go to Accessories, then System Tools, and then click System Restore. Now you can run the System Restore tool and choose what date to restore your system to. Make sure that you choose a date before when the spyware may have been installed. Do not interrupt the restoring process and allow the computer to take the time it needs to run the restore. When it is finished, if all went well, the spyware should be gone, as well as any other system file changes that had been made in the mean time. You may need to reinstall recent programs, drivers, etc.http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-is-System-Restore

Sometimes the spyware on your computer is just too serious to be gotten rid of through any normal means. If that is the case you may need to do a clean install of your computer's operating system, wiping out everything on the hard drive and starting over. Typically you do not need to do this when getting rid of spyware because it is a drastic step and there are often other ways to delete the spyware. However, if you've tried everything and you have run out of options, a clean install may be your last choice.

Firstly, before you begin a clean install, make sure that you back up all of your personal files. A clean install will wipe all of the files on the hard drive and replace them. Save your files to CDs, DVDs, an external hard drive, or any other form of backup. You may want to scan the files with a virus scanner before you save them to prevent infecting your clean install with anything that might be lingering on your computer.

Once you have backed up your files you can begin the clean install. Follow the clean install instructions for your operating system. Below are instructions for Microsoft Windows Vista.

1. Turn on your computer.
2. Insert your Windows Vista disc.
3. Follow the instructions on the Install Windows Page.
4. Click Install now.
5. You may want to get the latest updates for your operating system. You can choose this option on the Get important updates for installation page. This requires an internet connection.
6. Enter your product key to activate your operating system. This should be located with your disc.
7. Read the license page and click I accept the license terms if you agree.
8. Read and follow all instructions.
9. When prompted Which type of installation do you want?, click Custom.
10. When prompted Where do you want to install Windows?, choose the partition that you want to install it on.
11. Click Next. The installation will begin.
12. Do not interrupt the installation process. Follow all instructions on the screen.http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-Vista#section_3

Reinstalling your operating system in a clean install should get rid of any issues that you were having due to viruses, malware, spyware, etc. Remember that this will also wipe any of your personal files and installed programs so be sure to back everything up beforehand.