Spybot Search and Destroy 2.0 has bloatware issues

Spybot Search and Destroy 2.0 has bloatware issues:
Remember Nero Burning Rom? The program was a lightweight burning software for Windows back in the days when first CD burners and coasters became available. It was my favorite program of choice for several years, until Ahead decided to add features to it. New features were added with each new version of the program, so that the once tiny lightweight program turned into a bloatware monster that installed too many tools and files on the PC.
The latest version of Nero has a download size of almost 300 Megabytes, and while you get many tools in that package, it is simply too much for users who only want to burn discs.
Spybot Search and Destroy is another candidate that I have been using back in the days. Back then it was an efficient cleaner that removed lots of adware and spyware that many professional solutions did not detect. The developers of the program are currently preparing to release a major update, Spybot Search & Destroy 2.0. If things turn out all right, it will be released this coming Monday.
The program has a download size of 52 Megabytes, which feels like a lot for a once lean and clean program. You quickly now why when you look at the components that it will install on your system if you do not select the custom installation option during installation. Note that all features together require more than 133 Megabyte on your hard drive.

Here is what you get among other things:

• Background scan services
• Plugins for installed web browsers
• Various helpful tools
• Professional tools (which seem to include Phone Scan, Boot CD Creator, OpenSBI Editor, Scripting and Repair Environment)
• Analyst tools
• Background update service

The program installs two background processes that are running all the time, SDTray.exe and SDWelcome.exe. Scans spawn a third process SDScan.exe which may use a serious amount of memory. Yes, that is more than 500 Megabyte for that process alone.

It is a release candidate which definitely needs to be mentioned here, and while scans did use lots of system memory, the program itself did not slow down the system itself while doing so.
Most of the tools that it includes are somewhat related to PC security, plus it has options to uncheck those during installation to install the program with less features.While we are at it, I’m not sure why tools have to be divided into basic, advanced and professional tools, with the latter two options not displayed by default. Especially the phone scan option feels like something that should be available directly.
If you are a Spybot user you are probably wondering what is in store for you in the new version. Here are some of the highlights:

• Extended whitelisting identification for File Scanner and Startup Tools
• New Protected Repair Environment allows to run all Spybot – Search & Destroy tools in a separate and secure desktop
• Full Scan runs faster through files in your download directory
• Separate File Scanner can now handle huge folders
• Fixed problems with Cleaner on reboot
• Added Russian localisation

There is also a new licensing scheme. Free users get access to all features they had access before including rootkit scans. Some features, like support for networking environments and boot CD creation will only be made available to licensed users.
The third release candidate is currently available for download. The final version is expected to be released on Monday.

DIGITAL JUICE