Virus scan on all user accounts

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?

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

Malke covered most of it.As for reg cleaners they cant be run from limited
accounts.Limited a/c's dont have registry access.You would need to change
each a/c to an admin one and then run Registry Mechanic on each a/c.
--
Mike Ellis


"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?