How to run multiple antivirus applications on one PC

Reader Steve Mutchler wants to use a custom suite of antivirus apps to thoroughly scrub a PC free of malware. But he's not sure how to do it:

"I do a lot of virus cleaning for home users. For the most part, I slave a user's hard drive to my computer and run my various AV tools on it.

"I would like to have two or maybe three AV engines installed on my PC at the same time so I can run all three of them one at a time, because I think we all agree that no AV engine is 100%.

"But AV tools don't play nice together. For example, running Sophos and Webroot together, or Norton with most anything else, locks the computer up tight. Any thoughts on this subject?"

Full-time AV apps don't work well together because each one integrates tightly with the Windows operation system. Having multiple AV tools simultaneously hooked into the OS — intercepting calls to disk drives, networking subsystems, and other system components — can cause major problems. In some cases, as Steve says, it'll lock Windows up.

Disabling an AV tool's top-level, user-controllable elements is not enough. Its low-level components remain in place — in some cases, still active and still able to interfere with other AV software you might install.

But there is an easy solution, and that's the top topic in my column for WindowsSecrets.com this week.

Other topics in my column:

• Organizing Win7's Start menu the quick and easy way
  
• New computer has too much RAM?
• Freeware alternative to BCDedit

This week's complete issue: http://WindowsSecrets.com/comp/100415 Free content this week: INTRODUCTION By Brian Livingston New admins and mods join us in revealing secrets TOP STORY By Susan Bradley Run your PC from afar — securely and easily Look to Windows first for a remote connection Non-RDC alternatives offer more flexibility Making connections across the Internet LOUNGE LIFE By Tracey Capen Formatting in Word results in major headaches Interesting questions raised on the Lounge WACKY WEB WEEK By Stephanie Small Bandleader plays more than symphonic music   Paid content (no set fee; you pay only what you think it's worth): LANGALIST PLUS By Fred Langa Run multiple antivirus applications on one PC Is it OK to piggyback AV applications? Organizing Win7's Start menu is quick and easy My new computer has too much RAM? Freeware alternative to BCDedit IN THE WILD By Robert Vamosi Living without Adobe Flash Reader or Sun's Java A time of transition for Adobe Flash Reader The fight over Flash apps in iPhones and iPads Newly discovered flaw lets Java carry malware Getting along with Flash and Java disabled Java and Flash blocking in Internet Explorer PATCH WATCH By Susan Bradley Microsoft releases a taxing week of patches Signed software may install more than advertised Patch now to protect against drive-by downloads We've got kernel patching headaches again Pressing F1 can be hazardous to your machine New attacks from within your own network Patch Visio and Publisher before opening files For Windows 2000 owners, the time to act is now Two patches for network admins to take note of Adobe turns automatic updating on for Acrobat Java gets new management and a big update A portion of your support helps children in developing countries Each month, we send a full year of sponsorship to a different child. Your contributions in April are helping us to sponsor Brenda, a 5-year-old girl from Colombia. Children International channels development aid from donors to Brenda and her community. We also sponsor kids through Save the Children and Plan USA. More info

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