Best way to run a full AV scan

[nordloewelabs]

what's the most efficient way to run a full virus scan?

- logged on Safe Mode
- logged as the Restricted user
- logged as the Admin?

i have always remained in my Restricted account during such scans, but i tend to run Spybot scans on Safe Mode. i think i read such recommendation somewhere....

 

[mechBgon]

Probably Safe Mode (which will also require you to log on as an Admin) in general, for antivirus scanning. If Spybot S&D is run from an Admin account, however, I think it could miss some of its targets since you're not logged onto the account you normally use. For example, if it's looking for certain cookies, would it see your Restricted account's cookies when being run from an Admin account? I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think so. Not that cookies are a major hazard.

 

[nordloewelabs]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
If Spybot S&D is run from an Admin account, however, I think it could miss some of its targets since you're not logged onto the account you normally use.

i think that was the case on Spybot 1.4, but it seems that on version 1.5, the program scans the whole hard drive for all User accounts and Registry hives.

 

[John]

I clean all Administrator accounts in safe mode or safe mode with networking.