kkittymw wrote:

> I have several accounts set up on WinXP Home. When I run a virus scan
> does it include all accounts or just the one I am logged into?
>
> Also, I use Spybot, AdAware, RegMechanic, Disk Cleanup, Defrag, etc.
> to
> maintain my computer's performance and keep it clean. Will these
> scans include all user accounts, or must they be run when logged on to
> each account?

A full-featured antivirus scans the entire machine, not just your user
account. Antispyware programs handle this differently. The latest
version of Ad-aware will scan all user accounts. Spybot Search &
Destroy doesn't and you should log into all the user accounts and run
it since there are per-user malware entries. I can't comment about
RegMechanic since I don't use that program. I don't recommend registry
cleaners and no, I'm not going to get into why. Do a Google Groups
search for posts about registry cleaners if you really care.

The built-in Disk Cleanup should be run in all user accounts. Defrag
does your entire disk.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User