One of the two spybot removal applications that I consider must haves has just released a major new version. Head on over to the official webpage to grab a copy now. Here’s some info on what’s new:

It takes us a long time to get satisfied, but we’ve finally reached the point where we are ready to release version 1.4 of our anti-spyware solution Spybot - Search & Destroy. Here are some of the new features it offers:

First native multi-installation scanner
On PE boot CDs as well as on any system with multiple installations of Windows 2000 or later, Spybot-S&D 1.4 is able to scan the other installations as well, including the registry. From what we know, Spybot-S&D is the first anti-spyware solution that offers inactive registry scanning as a native feature.

Speed boost-ups
Spybot-S&D 1.4 should work noticeably faster than 1.3 during scans. And if you still don’t like to wait, you can play our easter egg while scanning.

Improved tools
We’ve improved the Tools section that Spybot-S&D offers in advanced mode - the process list now offers a list of open network connection per application (Windows 2000 or newer only), helping you to quickly identify which applications are local and which do use connections to the outside. Our detection mechanisms have also been updated, from detecting and cleaning services over protocol filters to the afore-mentioned scanning in inactive installations registries.

Graphics remake, and more
We’ve replaced the old home made icons with a bunch of great graphics provided by the guys at Yellow Icon Studio to make the user interface look smoother. But while this is highly visible on the surface, there have been more than 104 important changes underneath.

If you think you’ve got spyware on your system then it’s worth checking this program out.