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Details. System Requirements. Install Instructions. Related Resources. Back To Top. 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.
- 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
People also ask
Should I install Microsoft malicious software removal tool manually?
How to remove malicious software from Windows 10?
What is Windows malicious software removal tool (MSRT)?
How often do I need a Windows malicious software removal tool?
Jan 29, 2014 · You don't need to run the tool manually. If you suspect your computer is infected, you're better off scanning it with a dedicated antivirus program that can detect much more malware. If you really want to run the tool manually, you can download it from Microsoft's download page and run it like any other .exe file.
- Former Editor-In-Chief
Mar 23, 2022 · If you are running such software, you never have to manually run the Windows Malicious Software Removal tool. However, there are times when the tool is useful to run. After a Windows Update, if the latest version of the tool is included, it’ll run automatically in the background.
890830 Remove specific prevalent malware with Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. Download the tool. You can manually download the MSRT from the Microsoft Download Center. The following files are available for download: For 32-bit x86-based systems: Download the x86 MSRT package now. For 64-bit x64-based systems: Download the x64 MSRT ...
IdTitleMay 20244F9D9BB8-DAE6-4F3C-B2B0-4C461C52C120April 2024BE1901A0-58F6-432C-BB01-F2575A20D3E4March 202459D35913-97A6-4AB2-A2F6-97908773E5F2February 2024325DE823-70F1-4125-BC00-7CC18A11E00BOct 21, 2022 · Windows. Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool: What It Is, What It Does, and How to Run It Manually. By Anindra Z. Siqueira. Published Oct 21, 2022. Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) is a post-infection tool you can use to remove malware that has embedded itself on your PC.
Sep 22, 2021 · feature. Sep 22, 20214 mins. MicrosoftSecuritySmall and Medium Business. The Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) and the Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe) do more or less the...
