WinPatrol is awesome! You can have advance controls on your startup and tasks. This program will also alert you if a program changes the default program to open of a file type, and it helps stop spyware from changing your startpage! I've been using it for about 2-3 years now and it's really saved me from getting pissed off... a lot.

The only differnce between the free and paid version is that the paid version gives you more info about differnt tasks and stuff.

"WinPatrol consumes few resources and doesn't slow your PC." by download.com

Download WinPatrol 9.1 here: http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html
or use the direct link here: http://www.winpatrol.com/wpsetup.exe

Microsoft AntiSpyware is just as good as this (or even better) and also free.

GIANT AntiSpyware (Microsoft bought GIANT company and only renamed their product as Microsoft AntiSpyware) won all the tests between spyware programs at the end of last year.

This isn't only for spyware... if you test software(wich I do) you may install a paint program or audio player that automaticly changes it to open file types that you like to use another program for... this program stops ANYTHING like that.... it really has nothing to do with spyware except browser Hijackers

WinPatrol gets my vote. MS Antispyware uses several times the amount of resources needed to operate WinPatrol - not sure whether the additional features are worth the power drain. Also, the MS product will probably evolve into shareware in a few months.

Prevx Home is a more sophisticated intrusion detection program but is very resource-intensive & somewhat difficult to configure properly.

WinPatrol has the right combination of features & efficiency - Scotty is my guard dog of choice.

Slim