(Click the image above for a closer look.)
Ad-Aware is one of those tools that’s gained a lot of popularity through its free version, which—unlike the $US27 or $US40 paid version—doesn’t include all of the app’s features, but it does the same basic adware scanning it’s always done, only faster.
For example, CNET reports quick scans that completed in about three minutes where the old version would take 10. If you were to pony up cash for the paid versions, you’d also get antivirus protection, a new behaviour-based detection engine that learns what you don’t deem a threat, and a real-time registry monitor. If all you’re interested in, however, is running a basic adware scan, Ad-Aware Free has always and still is a nice tool for the job.
Ad-Aware is available for Windows only, comes in free and paid versions.