Other people have noticed it hang up here, and recommended restarting the service. This worked for me for one PC, but not another. I'm running Windows 2000 with full SP4 & updates. I think I may have found the problem....

In Start -> Documents, there exists a shortcut to a file that no longer exists. Is Ad-Aware hanging up because it doesn't first check that the file exists before attempting to deal with it?

Maybe if the program would actually show what it is scanning, then we'd know what the issue is. I know it does for some objects, but it doesn't for "most recently used objects".

P.S. I couldn't reply to the other threads that mention it hanging up here because they were moved into the archive for RESOLVED issues, when it is clear that the threads did not resolve the issue, and it is also clear that the program has not been updated to handle these issues. They really should be still open for discussion so we can continue from what data has already been discovered on this issue...

Ad-Aware 2007 has also hung up for me on "Scanning folders (conditional)", as well. I wonder if this is for the same reason? I have not set any specific conditions or changed any settings. All I've done is downloaded the latest updates, and ran a full scan...

Nope, this isn't the problem. The program still hangs in this location even AFTER there are NO RECENTLY USED items (that is, I cleared the list before running the program).

There have been some recent bugupdates for the freezing issue, but you need to uninstall Ad-Aware 2007 and get the Ad-Aware 2008 (current version) to get them. Then let us know if that resolves the problem?

Topics in the Archives are read only. That includes both resolved and inactive topics (no replies since 30 days)

2007 hangs on "Scanning Layered Service Providers", as well.
Can't the program auto-update its engine, like Avast does?

No, you have to download it manually. And it's "avast!" not just "avast" ^^. Just to remind you .

Oh, and LS CalamityJane,
I don't know what are you trying to tell as you write that Ad-aware 2008 stucks less than 2007? 2008 searches more areas than 2007 and 208 is more buggier. So how can 2008 be better option?
Ad-Aware SE is still the unbuggiest ad-aware.

@Linux2009

Ad-Aware 2008 is now the current version. Any bug fixes needed are done in that version. SE is expired and no longer supported. As I stated some of the freezing issues have been fixed by updating to the Ad-Aware 2008 version.