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.
Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2016, Windows 10, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7, Windows Server Tech Preview , Windows 8.1, Windows 10 Tech Preview.
The MSRT may seem like an antivirus, but it is not. It only deals with a specific scope of malware after the computer has been infected, and it does not provide real-time protection like the Microsoft Defender Antivirus or the ability to remove harmful software that is not actively running.
How to use the MSRT:
- Go to Microsoft support page.
- Click the Download button.
- Save the Malicious Software Removal Tool file on your device.
- Click the downloaded file to launch the tool.
- Click the Next button.
- Select one of the scan options:
- Quick scan: Scans sections of the system likely to have malicious software, but it does not remove any problems.
- Full scan: Scans the entire device for malicious software, including fixed and removable drives. This process can take many hours.
- Customize scan: Performs a quick scan and scans the folder location you specified.
- Click the Next button.
- Click the View detailed results of the scan link to view the scan details.
9. Once done, click the Finish button.
Once you complete all the steps, the tool will scan the system for malicious software. If a threat is found, you will be prompted to run a full scan. In the event that a full scan was used, you will be prompted to remove the infection from those files.
