Download & installation
At the moment, you can download and install the AntiSpyware program without registering it. However, with later versions, registration could become obligatory, so that users without a valid licence will not be able to use the program.
The 6.4MB program runs under Windows 2000, XP and Server 2003, according to Microsoft. We installed AntiSpyware on three test systems without problems. The program even runs under current Release Candidate 1 (Build 1289) of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. If you already have the Giant version of AntiSpyware, however, Microsoft's beta version will not install: you'll have to uninstall the Giant program before replacing it with Microsoft's version.
During installation, you must agree to the licence conditions. Since most users do not read the license conditions, it is clearly pointed out that you can only use the current beta version until 31 July 2005. If Microsoft should offer a commercial product before this date, the license for this beta version will expire.
After installation, the program occupies about 14MB of hard disk space. Microsoft AntiSpyware comprises three components: two modules (gcasDtServ.exe and gcasServ.exe) operate in the background, while the main program is GIANTAntiSpywareMain.exe. Together these components use about 27MB of RAM.
Talkback
After installing this program on our WinXP Pro (SP2) machines it no longer allows the launch of our Java applications.
Microsoft has not changed, it appears they are still looking for sneaky ways to kill off competing technology.
We have this installed on approx 100 test machines. None of them lost Java functionality.
Sounds like the anti-ms crowd continues it's tradition of FUD
Regarding a Java app not working after installing this, I have two comments:
1. So far, Microsoft has made barely any changes to the program since buying it from Giant -- mostly just putting the Microsoft name on it.
2. The software is in beta. The whole purpose of beta is to have these types of issues found and resolved. Have you contacted Microsoft so they can investigate this?
i am not very computer literate, but rely heavily on my pc, i had adaware installed but still somehow managed to get a trojan on my system. The only spyware that actually worked to clear this out of my was the ms antispyware. I really dont care who produces the product, i just want something that actually works, and this does.
I have used this so called anti spyware product since it came out
Take it from me its just like all the rest of Bill gates products, IT Dont Work
I am afraid that the person with the Java problems is on heroin and needs to find someone to fix his PC mess. I have installed this prog on several PCs and Jave works great.
Installed ms-antispyware today (25/02/05). It has already found spyware that ad-aware and spybot has failed to find and does not seem to affect any other software installed on my pc.
I installed ms-AntiSpyWare weeks ago and I find it was one of the better ones that have used.Although i'm not very Pc literate i also found it easy to use and understand.
I happen to come upon this website after looking for a solution for my problem with Java. The problem started after the installation Microsoft AntiSpyware. I read the comments and think that all of these "computer technicians" that are saying that this is all made up are really ignorant and dim-witted.
Just to let everyone know. I am not against Microsoft, at all. As a matter of fact I don't know what I'd do without it. Microsoft is great but this does bother me as I have NEVER had any trouble with Microsoft in the past. I only which there was someone who would help me keep both Java and Microsoft.
I've tried to use the program and have been getting a Runtime message that shuts down my computer with a C:000021a Fatatl System Error message. I noticed though that is has picked-up more adware and virus than some other progams I've ran in trying to clean up my computer
It would appear that Mr Leslie Pasque is suffering from a rather insidious virus himself - it's called Antimicrosoftatanycost.
While I have issues with Microsoft on some of their software functionality it is important that each product should be judged on it's own merits, or failures, and not on blind prejudice and ignorance.
My own experience of MS AntiSpyware, so far, is that it performs well compared against Ad-Aware SE (which I have previously used) and has a slightly better user interface. So far I have no grounds for complaint.