How to disable an unwanted programPublished: August 30, 2006  If you've downloaded a program that you don't want, here are some ways to remove it. | • | Windows Defender and other antispyware programs help remove spyware or other unwanted software.
Windows Defender comes with Windows Vista. If you use Windows Vista, do not download Windows Defender. For more information, see Windows Vista: Windows Defender. If you use Windows XP SP2, you can download Windows Defender for free. For more information, see Get started using Windows Defender. | | • | Windows Live OneCare safety scanner is an online service that scans your computer and helps you remove unwanted programs. The service is free and available at OneCare.Live.com |
Disable a program with Add-On Manager (Windows Vista and Windows XP Service Pack 2 only)If your antispyware program and the Windows Live OneCare safety scanner don't solve the problem, you might be able to disable the unwanted software using Add-On Manager. 1. | Open Internet Explorer. | 2. |
On the Tools menu, click Manage Add-ons. (If you're using Internet Explorer 7 or Windows Vista, click Enable or disable Add-ons.)
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In the list of add-ons, look for add-ons you didn't accept or don't recognize. Click to select the one you want to disable, and then click Disable in the Settings section in the bottom half of the Manage Add-ons box.
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Click OK.
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 Tip: Add-ons are programs, such as toolbars or search programs, that extend the capabilities of Internet Explorer. But there are also add-ons you don't want, such as those that redirect your search to their own Web site or change your homepage.
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