Spybot Search & Destroy FAQ

Here is a list of command line parameters that the Spybot-S&D main executable (SpybotSD.exe) supports:

* /taskbarhide
Runs Spybot-S&D completely hidden (no window, no taskbar icon), so make absolutely sure you use it only in combination with /autoclose (otherwise it would remain in memory sitting idle). Useful only in combination with /autocheck, /autoupdate or /autoimmunize, as it cannot be controlled when completely invisible.
* /minimized
Starts the window minimized.
* /uninstall
Uninstalls Spybot-S&D. This command line parameter is very outdated - unins000.exe should be used instead!
* /blinduser
Starts with support for blind users (special menus).
* /allhives
Scans all windows installations on your system, even inactive ones
* /autoupdate
Does an update after starting the program.
* /autocheck
Starts scanning immediately.
* /autofix
Fixes problems after scan.
* /autoclose
Closes program after it has scanned or updated.
* /autoimmunize
Runs the immunization at program start.
* /onlyspyware
Fixes only spyware (red) entries with /autofix, leaving all usage tracks as they are.
* /easymode
Starts with easier interface for beginners.
* /createenglish
Updates the English.sbl language file with the newest texts; useful only for translators.

And here is a list of command line parameters that the Spybot-S&D installer (spybotsd16.exe) supports:

* /sp-
Will skip the first page of the installation wizard (Do you wish to continue? ...)
* /silent
Will display the progress during installation, but not the wizard.
* /verysilent
Even the progress will not be shown. Errors etc. would still be shown.
* /suppressmsgboxes
Will use standard actions for message boxes (no overwriting of files, cancelling where the alternative would be retrying...)
* /log (or /log="filename")
Creates a log file in the temp folder that contains detailed information about actions taking place during the installation.
* /nocancel
Disables the Cancel and Close button. Useful with /silent.
* /norestart
Suppress reboots even if they were necessary at the end of the installation.
* /restartexitcode=N
If a restart is needed, the setup would return the specified exit code.
* /loadinf="filename" (and /saveinf="filename")
Can be used to use a saved setup configuration (or save one).
* /lang=language
Overrides the language dialog with a predefined language. Use ISO 2 letter language describers here.
* /dir="x:\dirname"
Installs into that directory instead of the default one.
* /group="folder name"
Installs into a program group of that name instead of the default one.
* /noicons
Avoids creation of any icons for the installed software.
* /type=typename
Starts installation with a give type. Supported types are
o full,
o blind and
o compact.
* /components="comma separated list of component names"
Installs the given components instead of the default ones. Supported components are
o main,
o blind (icons for blind users),
o language (all language files),
o skins,
o updatedl (for downloading updates as part of the installation),
o updatew95 (to download prerequisites on Windows 95),
o SDWinSec (to install the Security Center integration on Vista),
o SDShredder (to install the stand-alone shredder), and
o SDDelFile (to install the file removal helper).
* /tasks="comma separated list of tasks"
Specifies a list of tasks that should be executed. Tasks currently supported are:
o desktopicon
o quicklaunchicon
o launchsdhelper
o launchteatimer
* /mergetasks="comma separated list of tasks"
Same as /tasks, just with the exception that standard tasks are not disabled by default.

Note: Please be aware that the Spybot-S&D path has to be in quotation marks and multiple parameters have to be separated by a space.

Example: "C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SpybotSD.exe" /taskbarhide /autoclose /autocheck /autofix /onlyspyware