Windows virus removal

This malicious software includes viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Microsoft uses several metrics to determine the prevalence of a malicious software family and the damage that can be associated with it. This Microsoft Knowledge Base article will be updated with information for each release so that the number of the relevant article remains the same.

The name of the file will be changed to reflect the tool version. The following table lists the malicious software that the tool can remove. The tool can also remove any known variants at the time of release. The table also lists the version of the tool that first included detection and removal for the malicious software family. We maximize customer protection by regularly reviewing and prioritizing our signatures. We add or remove detections as the threat landscape evolves. Note: It is recommended to have an up to date next-gen antimalware product installed for continuous protection.

The specific information that is sent to Microsoft consists of the following items:. An indicator that notes whether the tool is being run by Microsoft Update, Windows Update, Automatic Updates, the Download Center, or from the website.

A cryptographic one-way hash MD5 of the path and file name of each malicious software file that is removed from the computer. If apparently malicious software is found on the computer, the tool prompts you to send information to Microsoft beyond what is listed here. You are prompted in each of these instances, and this information is sent only with your consent. The additional information includes the following:.

You can disable the reporting feature. For information about how to disable the reporting component and how to prevent this tool from sending information to Microsoft, see Deploy Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool in an enterprise environment.

An infection was found but was not removed. Note This result is displayed if suspicious files were found on the computer. To help remove these files, you should use an up-to-date antivirus product. An infection was found and was partially removed. Note To complete this removal, you should use an up-to-date antivirus product.

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. A4: If you are a Windows 7 user, use Microsoft Update or the Microsoft Update Automatic Updates functionality to test whether you are using the latest version of the tool.

Or, use the Windows Update Automatic Updates functionality to test whether you are using the latest version of the tool. Additionally, you can visit the Microsoft Download Center.

Also, if the tool is more than 60 days out of date, the tool reminds you to look for a new version of the tool. A5: No. The Microsoft Knowledge Base article number for the tool will remain as for future versions of the tool. The file name of the tool when it is downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center will change with each release to reflect the month and the year when that version of the tool was released.

A6: Currently, no. Malicious software that is targeted in the tool is based on metrics that track the prevalence and damage of malicious software. A7: Yes.

By checking a registry key, you can determine whether the tool has been run on a computer and which version was the latest version that was used. If you have already run the current version of the tool from Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Automatic Updates, or from either of the other two release mechanisms, it will not be reoffered on Windows Update or Automatic Updates.

For Automatic Updates, the first time that you run the tool, you must be logged on as a member of the Administrators group to accept the license terms. A9: The tool is offered to all supported Windows and Windows Server versions that are listed in the "Summary" section if the following conditions are true:. A Yes. Even if there are no new security bulletins for a particular month, the Malicious Software Removal Tool will be rereleased with detection and removal support for the latest prevalent malicious software.

A When you are first offered the Malicious Software Removal Tool from Microsoft Update, Windows Update, or Automatic Updates, you can decline downloading and running the tool by declining the license terms. This action can apply to only the current version of the tool or to both the current version of the tool and any future versions, depending on the options that you choose. If you have already accepted the license terms and prefer not to install the tool through Windows Update, clear the checkbox that corresponds to the tool in the Windows Update UI.

A If it is downloaded from Microsoft Update or from Windows Update, the tool runs only one time each month. A No. Unlike most previous cleaner tools that were produced by Microsoft, the MSRT has no security update prerequisites.

However, we strongly recommend that you install all critical updates before you use the tool, to help prevent reinfection by malicious software that takes advantage of security vulnerabilities. You can use the microsoft. A In some cases, when specific viruses are found on a system, the cleaner tool tries to repair infected Windows system files.

Although this action removes the malicious software from these files, it may also trigger the Windows File Protection feature. If you see the Windows File Protection window, we strongly recommend that you follow the directions and insert your Microsoft Windows CD. Go beyond antivirus and stop worrying about online threats. The official Malwarebytes logo The official Malwarebytes logo in a blue font.

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Malwarebytes Labs — Blog. Business Resources. See Content. For Windows. For Mac. Endpoint Protection. For Android. Learn More. For iOS. Press OK to Continue or Cancel to stay on the current page. For more information see Protect yourself from tech support scams. Removing a computer virus or spyware can be difficult without the help of malicious software removal tools.

Some computer viruses and other unwanted software reinstall themselves after the viruses and spyware are detected and removed. Fortunately, by updating the computer and by using malicious software removal tools, you can help permanently remove unwanted software. For more information about how to remove a computer virus and spyware, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: - Microsoft resources and guidance for removal of malware and viruses.

Note A computer virus may prevent you from accessing the Microsoft Update website to install the latest updates. We recommend that you set the Automatic Updates service to run automatically so that a computer is not missing any important updates.

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. Note the name of the rogue security software. For this example, we'll call it XP Security Agent When you are prompted, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Networking , and then press Enter. Click the Start button and check whether the rogue security software appears on the Start menu.

If it's not listed there, click All Programs and scroll to find the rogue security software's name.

Right-click the name of the rogue security software program, and then click Properties. In the Properties dialog box, check the path of the rogue security software program that is listed in Target. Note The folder name frequently is a random number. In the Program Files window, click Program Files in the address bar. Scroll until you find the rogue security software program folder. For example, XP Security Agent Go to the Microsoft Safety Scanner website.

If you suspect that your computer is infected with rogue security software that was not detected by using Microsoft security solutions, you can submit samples by using the Microsoft Malware Protection Center submission form. Microsoft Defender Offline is an anti-malware tool that helps remove difficult to eliminate viruses that start before Windows starts. Starting with Windows 10, Microsoft Defender Offline is built-in. Click Download the 32 bit version or Download the 64 bit version , depending on which operating system that you are running.

If you're unsure of which operating system that you are running, see Is my PC running the bit or bit version of Windows.

When you are prompted, press a key to select an option to use to start your computer, such as F12, F5, or F8, depending on the kind of computer that you are using.

Use the arrow key to scroll to the drive where you installed Microsoft Defender Offline file. Sophos Home. Looking for our legacy virus tool? Get Started. Download Now. Price Free. Compatibility For bit and bit versions of Windows.