Setting Up the Startup Programs Shields

You can set up Spy Sweeper to continuously monitor the list of programs that start every time you start Windows. Some spyware, adware, or unwanted programs add programs to this startup list if you are not protected.

When Spy Sweeper detects activity related to the Startup Shield, it displays an alert. For more information, see Handling Alerts and Warnings.

Spy Sweeper also lets you edit the startup items.

If the shields are unavailable (dimmed), you may not have access to this function. For more information, see Understanding How Spy Sweeper Works with Multiple User Accounts.

Caution: Editing startup items is for advanced users. Some items listed may be required by Windows or other programs. Deselecting items from the list could cause your computer to not start properly or cause some programs not to work. Edit with extreme caution.

To set up Windows Startup Programs Shields:

Start Spy Sweeper, if it is not already open, and display the main window.
For more information, see Starting Spy Sweeper.
In the icon panel, click Shields.
For information about the Spy Sweeper window, see Understanding the Spy Sweeper Window.
The Shields panel displays, showing a summary of the available shields and their status. A check mark means the shield is turned on. An x means the shield is not turned on.
Click the Startup Programs tab.
The Startup Programs tab displays.
Select the options you want to use.

Click to see a description of each option.

Option	Description
Startup Shield	This option actively watches your startup items for any changes. Some programs will add startup items, so that the program will always run on your computer. This shield ensures that programs do not add something to the startup items without you being aware of it. For more information about what happens when the startup list changes, see Handling Alerts and Warnings.
Ignore Other Webroot Products	This option tells Spy Sweeper to ignore changes made to your startup items when you install other Webroot products.
Edit Startup Items	Editing startup items is for advanced users. Some items listed may be required by Windows or other programs. Deselecting items from the list could cause your computer to not start properly or cause some programs not to work. Edit with extreme caution. Items listed as Spyware match something in Spy Sweeper's definitions. To see more information about an item, select it and click More Details. Not all programs provide additional details. After you make a change, click Save Changes.