Microsoft Safety Scanner is a standalone, portable security tool designed to help users detect and remove malware, spyware, and other potentially harmful software from their Windows computers. It does not provide real-time protection like traditional antivirus software, but rather allows users to perform manual scans to identify and eliminate threats...
Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free, on-demand virus and malware scanning tool provided by Microsoft.
Here are some of the features of Microsoft Safety Scanner:
- Malware Detection: Microsoft Safety Scanner scans your computer for a wide range of malware, including viruses, spyware, adware, and other malicious software.
- Quick and Full Scan: It offers both quick scans for a rapid assessment and full scans for a more comprehensive analysis of your system.
- Offline Use: Safety Scanner is designed to be used offline, meaning you can download and run it without requiring an internet connection at the time of the scan.
- Automatic Expiry: To ensure you have the latest version of the tool, Microsoft Safety Scanner automatically expires after a specific period. You need to download a fresh copy for each use.
- Removal of Threats: Once the scan is complete, the tool helps you remove or quarantine any identified threats.
- Complementary Tool: Microsoft Safety Scanner is not a replacement for a full-fledged antivirus program but can be used as an additional layer of defense or for occasional scanning.
Here are some of the pros of using Microsoft Safety Scanner:
- Free: Microsoft Safety Scanner is provided free of charge by Microsoft, allowing users to perform manual malware scans without purchasing additional software.
- Portable: It's a portable tool, meaning you can carry it on a USB drive and use it on different computers without installation.
- On-Demand Scanning: Safety Scanner provides the flexibility of running scans when you choose, rather than running in the background at all times.
- Wide Detection Range: The tool can detect a variety of malware types, helping to ensure a comprehensive scan and potential threat removal.
- No Conflicts: Since it doesn't provide real-time protection, there are no conflicts with existing antivirus software.
Overall, Microsoft Safety Scanner is a good option for users who want a free, portable malware scanner that can be used to check for malware that their antivirus program may have missed. However, it is important to note that it is not a replacement for an antivirus program and should not be used as your primary malware protection.
System requirements:
- Safety Scanner helps remove malicious software from computers running Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 10 Tech Preview, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server Tech Preview, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2, or Windows Server 2008.
How to run a scan:
- Download this tool and open it.
- Select the type of scan that you want to run and start the scan.
- Review the scan results displayed on screen. For detailed detection results, view the log at %SYSTEMROOT%\debug\msert.log.
- To remove this tool, delete the executable file (msert.exe by default).