Problems while installing Spybot-S&D
If the installation stops before it is completed, or you receive an error message, please delete the setup file and download a new one.The most common reason for this type of error is a failed download.

Where are features like the Tools or Settings section?
If you have a fresh installation of Spybot-S&D 1.3 you may miss some functions like the Tools or Settings section. They have not vanished but Spybot-S&D can be started in two modes. Please start Spybot-S&D and switch to "Advanced Mode" via the menu bar item "Mode".

Update related

What files do I need to update?
Basically there are three kinds of updates. From the back:

• 1. the PGP signatures. If you don't have PGP installed, you don't need these files, as there are only an optional feature for PGP users.
• 2. the localized updates: language files and localized product information. These files are also not necessary if you use the english language, and if you use any other language, you only need your local ones.
• 3. all other files are either plugin updates (like the tempfile plugin) or include files. Both kinds are needed.

Regarding updates of kind 1 and 2: These updates are by default not displayed. Under "Settings" you will find an option to activate them.

The integrated update is not working. Are there any solutions for this?
The main reason for this problem is that you need to use a proxy server to access the internet. In that case, the proxy server is already set up in your browser, where you can look up its settings and enter them into Spybot-S&D. In Mozilla, you can find the Proxy settings if you open the Edit menu, choose Settings... at the bottom, and navigate to the section Advanced - Proxies.
In Internet Explorer, see the Menu Extras - Internet options, go to the tab Connections and click the Settings button at the bottom. Back inside Spybot-S&D you need to go to the settings page, and scroll down to the entry Automation - Web update - Use proxy. Now check the box below it, and a dialog will appear where you can enter your proxy settings.
The format is host:port (the host is the name, the port the number you found in your browser). If you need to access your proxy using a login, you can use the format username:password@host:port.

When updating, why do I get an error message that the "update is forbidden" / "bad checksum!!!"?
Some users have reported they are not able to download updates. The 'Search for updates' reveals updates, but they cannot be downloaded. Often a 'HTTP Error 403' or 'bad checksum' is displayed. This has a simple reason - thousands of people trying to download from the default server, which can't handle such a burden. If you try again, have a second look at the menu bar. It has a pull-down item to select a mirror. Click the arrow beside it, and select a different location, where you'll most probably have better chances to download. (Spybot-S&D 1.3 will set a random mirror as the default to better distribute the load) Current problems with the main installer download have the same reason - the servers not being able to handle such large amounts of visitors. Even the University isn't able to deal with many thousands of downloads at the same time. Please have some patience; more mirrors are being added again.

Detections

Why do other spyware programs find spies in Sypbot-S&D's directory?
Please look at the path where such a program found the spyware. As Spybot-S&D has no spyware integrated, this must be a false alarm. The reason for such a false alarm is simple: Spybot-S&D saves backups of the problems you have fixed; to make it possible to recover them in case something stops working after the fix. If the file found is in the Recovery directory inside the Spybot-S&D directory, it is such a backup. It is no longer of any harm there, as the file won't be found and loaded from there. But once you are sure you don't need the backup, go to the Recovery section inside Spybot-S&D and purge that files. You may also upgrade to Spybot-S&D version 0.95 or newer; these versions compress the recovery files into zip archives, thus avoiding other spyware applications will give false alarms.

Why does Spybot-S&D not detect and remove the Alexa key for the What's related function of IE like other anti - spyware utilities?
This key is often simply called Alexa, but that is wrong for two reasons:
1. simply calling it Alexa would mix it up with the Alexa Toolbar, and
2. it is not a key created by Alexa. It is a Microsoft Internet Explorer key that points to a Microsoft DLL and a local Microsoft HTML file. The later redirects to an online MS page, and only that page redirects to the Alexa search engine.

Why do I receive ads titled 'Messenger Service', although Spybot-S&D can't find anything?
These are sent using the Messenger service integrated into Windows 2000 and XP (try the 'net send' command to see for yourself).
To disable the Messenger service, go to Start --> All Programs --> Administrative Tools --> Component Services. In Component Services, click on Services (Local), then on the right side, find Messenger and disable it.
Note: not everyone will have Administrative Tools in the Start menu. You need to make it visible under Taskbar and Start Menu Properties (right-click on taskbar --> Properties). The surest way to get to Component Services is to enter %systemroot%\system32\com\comexp.msc into the command line.

Why does DSO Exploit return?
DSO-Exploit is a security gap in Internet Explorer, Outlook and Outlook Express. Microsoft did already close this gap with security updates, so with current Windows updates and patches installed, it will no longer be a threat to your system.
Spybot-S&D will still detect the DSO-Exploit, but instead of fixing it for good, it will unfortunately again set an invalid value. Therefore it will again be found with every scan.
This little bug in Spybot-S&D has already been repaired and the respective fix will soon be available as a program update. BUG’s PROBLEMS ETC

Are there any problems using Spybot-S&D 1.3 under Windows 95/"WS2_32.DLL is missing"?
There are two possible reasons why Spybot-S&D 1.3 wouldn't run using Windows 95. The first possible reason (Error message: HHCTRL.OCX is missing) is that you are using an old version of Internet Explorer, thus the needed HTML help components are not installed. Those are available from Microsoft.
The second reason (Error message: WS2_32.DLL is missing) is that you need the Winsock update for Windows 95. That one is also available from Microsoft: Win 95 Winsock2 setup
More information
Both are updates you should make anyway!

Why can I no longer access my IE settings?
Internet Explorer tells you to contact your administrator when you try to access the IE settings?
This can happen if you use Spybot-S&D in advanced mode and you have used the Immunize feature without reading all the text ;) Please start Spybot-S&D again in advanced mode (usually from the Start menu group Spybot - Search & Destroy, until you've already changed the desktop icon to advanced mode), select Tools in the left bar -> IE tweaks.
There you'll see a group Recommended miscellaneous locks. Untick the checkboxes in front of both Lock IE... options. You may need to close all Explorer windows, and maybe even restart Windows before these changes take place. Hint: this lock function has been added mostly for multi-user environments where you wouldn't want other users of your computer to change your IE settings. If you are the only user of your computer, there's no real need to enable them.