Should I scan in safe mode or in normal windows?

[man99]

Hello,

May I know is there a difference doing a scan in safe mode vs scanning in normal windows?

What software must be scanned using safe mode only? Will scanning in safe mode be more effective and detect more malware?

I am able to login to windows and I am doing scans in normal windows. I am scanning with software like SuperAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, Ad-aware...

I am using Windows XP home SP3

Thanks.

[Lisandro]

Generally not. I mean, on detection. Could be on file usage, some files being in use. But then you can schedule a boot time scanning.
I've developed a way to run avast at logon time, i.e., just after the desktop starts and before (blocking) the logon process.
It could be faster and you don't need to go to Safe Mode.
It's not prepared for avast 5 (yet).

[Yanto.Chiang]

Hi Tech,

If avast will developed with automatic scanning when windows on warm boot. It would make windows logon more slower when avast do on scanning protection rite?

[Lisandro]

If avast will developed with automatic scanning when windows on warm boot.

I don't think so. There is already the boot time scanning.

It would make windows logon more slower when avast do on scanning protection rite?

Sure. The logon time will be "hanged" until the avast scanning finishes and the GUI is closed. Then the logon will continue normally. If the scan takes 1 hour, the logon time will take one hour... it's not different than the boot time scanning, you need to wait the scanning to finish (or be canceled) to the boot process continues.

[man99]

I only know how to do avast boot scan, is there a way to use avast to scan all files in my pc when I am inside the normal windows?

Is doing a Avast boot time scan better than doing a Avast scan when inside normal windows?

How about other programs like SuperAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, rootkit programs... I saw other threads mention using these programs in safe mode. I am wondering if the reason is because it is better to scan in safe mode or because they think the user should be able to log into safe mode only so they suggest safe mode.

Thanks