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Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) helps keep Windows computers free from prevalent malware. MSRT finds and removes threats and reverses the changes made by these threats. MSRT is generally released monthly as part of Windows Update or as a standalone tool available here for download.
- Summary
- More information
- Frequently asked questions about the MSRT
- Skipped releases
The Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) helps remove malicious software from computers that are running any of the following operating systems:
•Windows 10
•Windows Server 2019
•Windows Server 2016
•Windows 8.1
•Windows Server 2012 R2
How the MSRT differs from an antivirus product
The MSRT does not replace an antivirus product. It is strictly a post-infection removal tool. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you install and use an up-to-date antivirus product. The MSRT differs from an antivirus product in three important ways: •The tool removes malicious software from an already-infected computer. Antivirus products block malicious software from running on a computer. It is significantly more desirable to block malicious software from running on a computer than to remove it after infection. •The tool removes only specific prevalent malicious software. Specific prevalent malicious software is a small subset of all the malicious software that exists today. •The tool focuses on the detection and removal of active malicious software. Active malicious software is malicious software that is currently running on the computer. The tool cannot remove malicious software that is not running. However, an antivirus product can perform this task.
How to download and run the MSRT
The easiest way to download and run the MSRT is to turn on Automatic Updates. Turning on Automatic Updates guarantees that you receive the tool automatically. If you have Automatic Updates turned on, you have already been receiving new versions of this tool. The tool runs in Quiet mode unless it finds an infection. If you have not been notified of an infection, no malicious software has been found that requires your attention. Enabling automatic updates To turn on Automatic Updates yourself, follow the steps in the following table for the operating system that your computer is running. If your computer is running: Follow these steps: Windows 10 Enabling automatic updates To turn on Automatic Updates yourself, follow the steps in the following table for the operating system that your computer is running. If your computer is running: Follow these steps: Windows 10 Download the MSRT. You must accept the Microsoft Software License Terms. The license terms are only displayed for the first time that you access Automatic Updates. Note After you accept the one-time license terms, you can receive future versions of the MSRT without being logged on to the computer as an administrator.
Q1: Is this tool digitally signed by Microsoft?
A1: Yes.
Q2: What kind of information does the log file contain?
A2: For information about the log file, see Deploy Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool in an enterprise environment.
Q3: Can this tool be redistributed?
A3: Yes. Per the terms of this tool's license terms, the tool can be redistributed. However, make sure that you are redistributing the latest version of the tool.
No MSRT update was released in the following months:
•December 2023
The tool is designed to help identify and remove prevalent malware from customer machines and is available at no charge to licensed Windows users. As of the writing of this report, Microsoft has shipped 15 additional, enhanced versions of the tool and continues to ship a new version on the second Tuesday of each month, each adding new prevalent ...
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a powerful tool that finds and removes malware from your PC. Here's how to use it in Windows 10 or 11 to scan your PC. Important: Before you use Microsoft Defender Offline, make sure to save any open files and close apps and programs.
2. Use the free Microsoft Safety Scanner. Microsoft offers a free online tool that scans and helps remove potential threats from your computer. To perform the scan, go to the Microsoft Safety Scanner website. 3. Use the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.
We suggest that you run any of these scanner to remove threats on your PC: Microsoft Safety Scanner. Malicious Software Removal Tool. Note: Any data files that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a potential for data loss. Keep us posted.
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