- Quick specs
- Price: Free; paid upgrade available
- Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: August 28, 2007
- Total Downloads: 320,544,093
- Downloads last week: 825,481
- See full specifications
A newer version of Ad-Aware 2007 is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 11263 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
One of the first applications built to find and remove adware and spyware, Ad-Aware's excellent reputation is well-justified. While the 2007 edition is still free, it does have some new features that may make you reconsider the height of the pedestal it sits on.
First off, the app's updater is now permanently on, running in your system's background. The irony of Ad-Aware running potential spyware is not lost on us. The interface has also been completely overhauled, and it's a bit more confusing. There are six tabs in the nav bar. Status and Scan initiate adware scans, and finish with a line-item list so you can select which components to remove and create a system restore point. The context menu offers some information about suspected adware, though it's light on details.
Other navbar buttons include Ad-Watch, offering real-time defenses but only in the paid version. Plug-ins are disabled in the free version, but the Tools and Plug-ins tab hosts TrackSweep, the new browsing tracks cleaner. Smoothly integrated into the app, it wipes the cache, cookies, and history, and other breadcrumbs left by major browsers. We couldn't help but notice, though, that the Web Update tab, which controls definition file and software updates, ran far more sluggishly than in previous editions, and sometimes even crashed the program.
The Settings tab provides access to auto-scans, browsers, scanning, the interface, and log files. The app does an excellent job of removing most malware components, although rescanning is necessary for a seriously infected machine. The freeware restrictions are mildly irritating, but they're nothing compared to some of the serious stability and background processes in the 2007 version. However, it is a fully functional adware remover, and it continues to do that well. With some hesitation, we recommend Ad-Aware 2007 as part of your arsenal.
Watch the CNET video review of Ad-Aware 2007:
Publisher's description
From Lavasoft :With the ability to scan your RAM, Registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components, Ad-Aware 2007 easily can clean your system, allowing you to maintain a higher degree of privacy while you surf the Web.
Ad-Aware 2007 includes a redesigned engine, improved code sequence identification, incremental definition updates, one-click Web-history cleanup, multiple browser support, and other new features. Version 7.0.2.1 adds Windows Vista (32-bit) compatibility.
Note: After installation, the program will ask you for a registration code. Just hit Cancel to run the free version.
What's new in this version:
Version 7.0.2.1 adds Windows Vista (32-bit) compatibility.
More popular Spyware Removers downloads
- 679,439 downloads 1. Ad-Aware Free Anti-Malware
- 601,989 downloads 2. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
- 103,767 downloads 3. Spybot - Search & Destroy
- 32,254 downloads 4. Spyware Doctor 2010
- 30,647 downloads 5. Trend Micro HijackThis
- See all Spyware Removers downloads
User reviews of Ad-Aware 2007 7.0.2.1
- Average user rating: 3.8 stars out of 11263 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
-
Showing 5 of 249 user reviewsSee all 249 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
25 out of 29 people found this review helpful
Version: Ad-Aware 2007 7.0.2.1
"Ready for Vista, LOL, No WAY!"
Cons: This is it, I give up on this application. It made it through the scan without crashing, and that was it's only good point. It found 7 privacey infections but wouldn't tell me where they were or what they were. It gave me three options, ignore, qurantee, or remove. I tried ignore...it wouln't let me, I tried quarantee...it woldn't let me, so I tried remove...same thing, nothing. I went to close and it asks if I'm sure I want to exit without doing something with the threats. So I try all three options again, and it still wouldn't let me do anything. Lavosoft you have had well over a year to get this ready for Vista and you screwed it up again. That and downloading your "not free Ad Watch" during installation which takes up disk space, has made this once great application a woorthess piece of c**p.
-
28 out of 52 people found this review helpful
Version: Ad-Aware 2007 7.0.2.1
"Compatible with "Vista"? So they say!"
Pros: I'm glad I tried this install on my virtual drive because it gave me fatal error then blue screened my "Vista Home Premium" operating system during install. If they think this is ready for "Vista 32 bit", they are wrong again. It's "B-S" and thats all there is to it. "Lavasoft", who was once respected security software company is taking a big backwards slide. I will never attempt to install it on a "vista" system again. It does look to have a nice GUI but sense I can't seem to use it no matter how hard I try,I really can't say for sure. I agree with some of the others, if you want a great, free malware scanner that works flawlessly with "Vista", get "a-squared 3".
Cons: It's still full of bugs and they can't seem to get rid of ad-watch even in the free version. For those running an "XP" system, it might be OK but it's starting to look bad for those of us using "Vista".
-
13 out of 22 people found this review helpful
Version: Ad-Aware 2007 7.0.2.1
"Worst version od Ad-Aware...EVER!"
Cons: First time I tried to install this version it gave me a fatal error and crashed my Vista. Second attempt took very long to install and also piggy backed the beloved Ad-Watch along with the program, and only the scan would work. ALL options to remove or ignore the threats it found would not work! Worthless product that I recommend only to people I hate.
-
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Version: Ad-Aware 2007 7.0.2.1
Pros: Version 7.0.2.2 is available for download, and works with Vista.
-
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Version: Ad-Aware 2007 7.0.2.1
Pros: Great scanning speed plus it removes threats easy and fast, has everything you'd need in a free-version security app, not a bad choice.
Cons: Even thought i liked it's features, you gotta admit: it doesn't work with vista! That's quite a bug. By the way, it says windows vista compatiable(32 bits) while most vista system are 64 bits, that's kind of pointless
- See all 249 user reviews Write review
Submit your review
Previous Versions:
