AntiSpy 2 for Windows – Help
AntiSpy 2 shows you what data Windows collects about you – and turns it off if you wish. This page answers the most common questions about its use, editions, and things that might seem confusing at first glance.
Getting Started
After starting, AntiSpy 2 displays a list of protection measures, grouped by topic: Privacy, Advertising, AI & Recall, Microsoft Edge, System, Taskbar, Gaming, and Comfort. Each measure can be individually selected or deselected.
Many settings are deep within the system and can only be changed with administrator rights. That's why Windows asks for your permission when you start the program. AntiSpy 2 doesn't change anything on its own – it merely shows you what's possible first.
Applying and Reversing Measures
Check the desired measures and click "Apply" at the bottom. The button shows you how many changes are pending. Each measure can be reversed at any time – simply uncheck it and apply again.
Filters
Using the filters All, Open, and Applied, you can specifically display what interests you – for example, only the measures that are not yet active.
The Protection Score
The protection score at the top shows what percentage of the available protection measures are already active. It only counts measures that concern data privacy. Purely cosmetic and comfort settings (such as a left-aligned taskbar) are deliberately not counted – they are in their own category "Comfort".
Some measures affect features that don't even exist in your Windows version – for example, small taskbar icons that Microsoft removed after Windows 10. AntiSpy 2 hides such measures and does not count them.
Free, Plus, and Pro
AntiSpy 2 is available in three tiers. Higher tiers unlock additional measures – previously applied ones naturally remain active.
| Edition | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Basic measures for search, taskbar, and ad ID | Free |
| Plus | Additionally advertising, system advertising, and further privacy measures | Free with registration |
| Pro | All measures, incl. AI & Recall, Microsoft Edge, and Gaming. For 3 PCs, including updates for one year. | €19.90 |
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Background Protection
Windows sometimes resets certain settings after an update. The background protection therefore checks daily whether your applied measures are still active. If it finds a reset setting, it reports it – changes are only made upon your click. AntiSpy 2 does not make any unauthorized changes in the background.
You can find the complete audit trail and all open items in the protection report.
Languages
AntiSpy 2 speaks German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Turkish, Czech, Russian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese in simplified and traditional script. The language can be changed in the settings and takes effect immediately – a restart is not necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Pro license is only recognized after a restart.
This was a bug in an earlier version and has been fixed. Please ensure that you are using the current version (Settings → "Check for Updates Now"). After that, an activation will be recognized immediately.
I am offered measures that I have long since turned off in Windows.
Some Windows switches only control the display, while data continues to be collected in the background. AntiSpy 2 checks the actual data source. If a measure still appears as "open", it's usually because this deeper-lying setting is still active – even if the visible option in Windows is already off.
Why can I turn off Windows Recall, even though it doesn't affect my PC?
This measure acts preventively and is therefore offered on every PC. Should Windows later deliver the Recall function to your device, it will already be blocked.
Does AntiSpy 2 change anything without my intervention?
No. AntiSpy 2 only applies changes when you click "Apply". The background protection reports deviations, but does not make any changes on its own.
How do I undo a change?
Uncheck the relevant measure and click "Apply" again. You can also use the Reset Assistant in the settings to undo all changes at once or revert to a restore point.
Is AntiSpy also available for Mac?
Yes. The Mac version is a separate product with its own measures – on Mac, it's about permissions, login items, and network connections instead of Registry and Windows services. You can find it at engelmann.com/products/anti-spy-mac. A Windows key is not valid for Mac.
Still Have Questions?
If this page hasn't helped you further, you can reach our support at engelmann.com/pages/support. Please tell us your AntiSpy 2 version (found in the "About AntiSpy 2" window) – that helps us help you faster.