I would suggest that when you run Spybot from the copied folder it is actually running the executable from the original folder due to it's registry settings. The easy test is to attempt to move a program folder to another location. If it has registry dependencies then you will get an Explorer popup dialog box advising of the likely problem in moving the folder. If you get no popup then it is ok to move it and run it from the alternate location as it has no dependencies. This later group can also be either removed using it's uninstaller found in it's folder or by deleting it's program folder from where ever it is. Regards, Bryan

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I can't say for sure about Spybot, but AdAwareSE is well known to run as a stand-alone program. In fact, the only way to install it onto a Win95 box is to first install onto a Win98 or later PC & then copy the folder to the Win95 PC. It runs fine on Win95...it just won't install there. HTH Dave If Wile Coyote had enough money for all that Acme crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?

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Thanks, would be so convenient if this is ok. And it seemed to me that as long as it was, it might even be a little easier on the system than actually installing and uninstalling a bunch of times. Good idea on the "move test" Bryco, I know what you mean because I've gotten those warning messages in the past when tinkering (or, only a shortcut would be created). I experimented and they relocated fine, and with no warnings. Ok, drat I can't resist: I wonder if having them in there via this method makes them easier to attack (or conversely, maybe it was what kept an attack from succeeding). When I said spybot did something weird, what I meant was... The other day I left it minimized for a long time while online after auto-updating it. Then it turned solid blue down there and couldn't be opened or closed. When I tried to end it from task manager, the prompts came back asking if I wanted to end TRIAL VERSION OF SPYREMOVER (NEVER!!!!! did I download that, think about it, or even hear of it before that, and I use nothing but the most trusted and beloved programs and online scanners). I had pressed "End Task" many times while waiting for a reaction, so task manager finally started asking if it should close about 15 other bizarre individual "components," none of which had actually been displayed in task manager. From "UNINSTALL SPYBOT" to "Legal Stuff" to "Configuration problem" to "Sounds" something or other... After that spybot was a nonfunctional shell (so I deleted it and copied it right back over from the ext hd again. I had gotten it from majorgeeks and have been using it here and elsewhere with no problem, so I think the copy is fine). Yes I probed my system well for "nasties" after that (and had recently before that, as Rimfire knows. And hey, no laughing Rimfire! ;). But come to find, spyremover is a b.s. direct spybot rip off, including in appearance. I think they must now be morphing it into a predator (you heard it here first, lol!), since the inexperienced may apparently not even notice the prog had changed. Then in 30 days it would start asking for money and doing God knows what else. But nevermind that, it was just intriguing (and I have tightened security more now). Thanks again!

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Some small programs are still stand alone but most are not, so you were either lucky or, as said, they are running from original exec. If you are getting away with it then fine - it won't compromise your security or cause any problems. If the system has made any registry entries you can always run a registry cleaner after you delete any of these programs. DerekW

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Gracias all! :^)

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