Spybot-S&D 1.6, beta 1

[PepiMK]

Update: continued in beta 2 thread!

As announced on the website, we've starting beta testing the next release, 1.6: spybotsd160-beta1.exe (please see beta 2 instead)

1. The first aspect of testing mostly includes the scanning speed. How much did it improve for you, compared to 1.5.2?
2. We also want to know whether all our bug fixes are satisfying; if you want to help towards getting a faster public release, here's a list of all changes since 1.5.2: change history
   You replying to those with "Fix confirmed" or any problems you've encountered would help us a lot.

Presumed Questions & Answers

Q: When will you release a final version of 1.6?
A: U.S. Independence Day (4th of July) would be nice. Provided that there's enough feedback and no bigger problems appearing.

Q: How did you make it faster?
A: As you may have read on the news page, we've integrated parts of the new file scanner engine designed for Spybot-S&D 2.0, which was rewritten to take many aspects of modern malware fighting into account - those include the fast growing size of the database, the variety of malware and a few other aspects.

Q: Will it still be able to do the same things, or did you give up features to make it faster?
A: Actually, some of the new algorithms allow the engine to be even more flexible, so we could add features that we kept back so far to save scanning time.

Q: Is there room for even more improvements?
A: The current improvements do not affect the special deep scanning of the Download Directories feature yet, where we'll also be able to make some improvements, but haven't decided on the most performant method yet.

Q: Are there any other new things in 1.6 I should note?
A: There will be one other huge feature that'll be addressing another larger type of complaint we've received. Stay tuned to the beta forum, and you'll see.

[dj.turkmaster]

Thanks for the new version pepiMK and spybot team. It's scanning speed has improved greatly. It is unbelievable that a very succesful program like this is still and always freeware [Beacuse of a great love ] Ok now. I have downloaded updated scanned and not encountered any problems yet. There is only one minor issue. When we click on the search for updates button the progress bar is not being seen completely. I tihnk it would be nice if you adjust it's size

[rockiee]

as a long time user of spy-bot, an i think its one of the best programs available, i have just downloaded an installed 1.6 beta, an it also works GREAT. the scan time for me was cut from 37mins to 16 mins. just one small prob, that i havent figured out yet is that the font size is a little too small. great job guys. keep up the good work!

[Asus L3500TP]

Very good for me too !

Time also faster than 1.5 may be time cut in 2 !!!

@+

[Asus L3500TP]

Erase using Spybot - Search & Destroy ???

Is that function ok with 1.6.0.25 ?

This post : http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=20388

Is it ok for the 1.6.0.25 version ?

Is it nécessary to do manually the same modifications :

For 64 bit systems its probably:
Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\sddelfile]
@="Erase using Spybot - Search && Destroy"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\sddelfile\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Spybot - Search & Destroy\\SDDelFile.exe\" \"%1\" /ask"

For 32 bit systems, it is:
Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\sddelfile]
@="Erase using Spybot - Search && Destroy"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\sddelfile\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Spybot - Search & Destroy\\SDDelFile.exe\" \"%1\" /ask"

[streetwolf]

I no longer have the Spybot tab in a file's Properties window as I did in 1.5.

But 1.6 is like lightening compared to it's predecessor! At least 3x+ faster.

[nullptr]

When skin settings are saved then they are saved to :
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Safer Networking Limited\SpybotSnD\skin

On loading skin settings Spybot beta is querying :
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Safer Networking Limited\SpybotSnD\skins

with the obvious result of NAME _NOT_FOUND.

Just a minor bug to fix

[PepiMK]

@dj: search for updates? hmmm... the "search" progress bar usually takes just a second or two, but I just checked that when the file was downloaded and all, it is set explicitely to 100%. Same for the progress bar for downloads. Not sure where your problem could be... are you using any non-standard XP theme maybe?

@Asus: the installer didn't even write these registry entries.
It was too confusing for users I think, some mistook it for the Secure Shredder for example.
Maybe I could add it back to be available on when someone chooses the "Custom" option during installation?
"Full" would still mean most people installing it without knowing

@streetwolf:
How Do I Enable the Spybot Tab in File Properties Panels?
And fixed: Explorer propery sheet plugin: option during installation

@nullptr:
Thanks! Fixed: Skins not loading in latest beta

[StuNun]

Have just installed 1.6 beta and what an improvement in the scanning speed. Nice job guys. One small problem I have noted on my system. The skins are not taking. That is, I select the skin click on apply and the UI changes. However, when I close the application and reopen the skin reverts back to the default. I`m using XP SP3.

Kind Regards

StuNun

[PepiMK]

Thanks for giving the beta a try!
See the last link in my post directly above yours, problem noted and will be fixed in the next release