How to Kill Spyware Processes (Guide)
When Rogue Spyware makes its way onto your computer it normally installs an executable file that runs just like any other program (called a process). Some rogues can be more difficult to remove than others and may require that you stop the process from running before using any type of removal software. In order to do that you may be required to enter what is known as the Windows Task Manager to locate and stop the running process. There is a possibility that Task Manager will not run due to the rogue spyware. In that case it may be necessary to boot your computer into safe mode and then follow the procedures below.
Not sure how to boot into safe mode? Get instructions here.
There are currently four ways to enter the Windows task manager.
- Press the “Ctrl + Alt + Del” keys simultaneously> Click Task Manager. (This is the most commonly used method.)
- Right click on the Task Bar and select “Task Manager” from the popup menu.
- Press the “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” keys simultaneously
- Click Start > Run > then type taskmgr.
After completing one of the four methods above you will see something that looks like the image below.
Locate the necessary “Image Name” (In the example above the process is named 98441632.exe). To stop the rogue spyware from running highlight that process or image name and then click the “End Process” button.
This should close the rogue spyware progrma and you are now be able to continue with the removal process.
