microsoft windows malicious software tool

You do not have to disable or remove your antivirus program when you install the MSRT. The MSRT focuses on the detection and removal of malicious software such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses only. However, an antivirus product can perform this task. The tool cannot remove malicious software that is not running.

Active malicious software is malicious software that is currently running on the computer.

The tool focuses on the detection and removal of active malicious software.

Specific prevalent malicious software is a small subset of all the malicious software that exists today.

The tool removes only specific prevalent malicious software.

It is significantly more desirable to block malicious software from running on a computer than to remove it after infection. Antivirus products block malicious software from running on a computer.

The tool removes malicious software from an already-infected computer.

The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool differs from an antivirus product in three key ways:

If you like, Windows 10 already has Windows Defender Antivirus included for antivirus. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you install and use an up-to-date antivirus product. It is strictly a post-infection removal tool. The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool does not replace an antivirus product. For comprehensive malware detection and removal, consider using Microsoft Safety Scanner. You can use this tool to find and remove specific prevalent threats and reverse the changes they have made (see covered malware families). Starting May 2020, Microsoft releases the MSRT on a quarterly cadence as part of Windows Update or as a standalone tool. The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) is a post-infection removal tool that helps remove malicious software from your computers that are running Windows 10, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, or Windows 7. How to Use Malicious Software Removal Tool in Windows

Microsoft windows malicious software tool