Performing a Standard Installation

To install Spector Pro, download the software from the SpectorSoft web site or insert the CD-ROM from your Spector Pro package into the CD-ROM drive. You need one license for each Standard installation on each computer.

Disable all anti-virus software prior to installation. You can enable the anti-virus software after the installation is complete. Visit our KnowledgeBase to learn more about Spector Pro and various anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.

When installing Spector Pro on a computer with a Windows XP or 2000 operating system, you must use an account that has administrator privileges. Without those privileges, you will not be able to complete the installation.

To perform a standard installation:

Begin the installation at the first Setup panel.
Read and accept the User Agreement by clicking I Agree.
Read and accept the License Agreement. Click Yes.
Enter a valid serial number (you can copy and paste it from the email you received from SpectorSoft confirming your purchase) and your email address. Click OK.

On the Options panel, leave Standard selected. You want a complete Spector Pro installation on the computer you wish to monitor. Click Start.

If you are installing from a CD you may see the following prompt. Click Yes if you are connected to the Internet; there may be an updated version available at the SpectorSoft web site.

Protect this person's privacy! SpectorSoft strongly recommends setting a password at this time. Without a password, anyone who discovers the hotkey combination will be able to view activity. You may add or change the password at any time after installation. Make sure no unauthorized person is able to gain access and view the data, change configurations, delete information, or uninstall the program.

The Spector Installation Options window opens. Enter a password for security, select the hotkey combination that will open Spector Pro, and click Continue.

Password - Enter a password to use when you open Spector Pro and use the Viewer on this computer.

Confirm Password - Type the same password again.

Hotkey Sequence - Select the hotkey sequence (keys you press at the same time) to access Spector Pro. You may change the default of Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S to a unique sequence. To change the sequence Click Change. The Hotkey window opens. Check the keys you wish to use and enter a character to type in the bottom box. Click OK to set the new hotkey sequence.

Visible - Select Visible to make Spector Pro visible to the user. Spector Pro appears (and may be opened from) a red square in the system tray and in the Windows Programs list.

Stealth Setup - Stealth is selected by default to provide optimal security. When operating in the Stealth mode (recommended), Spector Pro does not appear in the system tray or in any Windows Programs list. The Viewer can only be accessed through the hotkey sequence.

Wait as the program is installed.

If you selected the Stealth Setup, the following message appears. Click Yes to remove the installation file or No to keep the installation on the hard drive.

Once the installation is complete, the Release Notes window opens. After reading the notes, click the X at the top right to close the window.

The Spector Setup Complete window opens indicating that the installation is complete. By default, the window also indicates that the program will delete all references to Spector Pro from Internet Explorer.

It is recommended that you clear all references to the SpectorSoft web site.

Yes, I want to restart my computer now - To start recording activity with Spector Pro, you must restart the computer. This option restarts the computer when you click Finish.
No, I will restart my computer later - Postpone the restart if you have other work in progress. When the computer is restarted, SpectorPro will begin recording activity.
Clear references to Spector from Internet Explorer - Your browser (e.g., Firefox, Netscape, Internet Explorer) automatically saves information about each web site visited, including the SpectorSoft web site. If you are using Internet Explorer (IE), Spector Pro can remove these references, providing an extra measure of stealth and security. This feature does NOT work with any other browser. Check this option to eliminate all references to the SpectorSoft web site, OR click to uncheck the option and leave the browser as is. (This feature can be adjusted on the View Options window at any time. For further details on what information is cleared and how the feature works, see Clearing References from Internet Explorer.)

Remove any disks from their drives and click Finish.

After the computer is restarted, Spector Pro automatically begins recording all computer activity.

To open the Viewer after Spector Pro is installed:

Press the secret hotkey sequence. Enter the password, if you defined one. The Snapshot event window appears with graphic information displayed on it, indicating that data is being recorded properly for this computer.

If this is the only computer you are monitoring, proceed to Getting Acquainted with the Viewer.

If you are installing on a network, repeat the above steps for all computers you will monitor, and set up data file sharing for each monitored computer.