You can run MSRT manually by simply typing 'MRT' into the Run box. However, when asked, a company representative said that the May 22nd update was 'to detect and remove WannaCrypt malware.' WannaCrypt is another name for WannaCry. What changed? Initially, Microsoft didn't say, the home page for MSRT, had not been updated as of the 25th. The May 9th release was version 1, the May 22nd edition is version 3. Sure enough, running Windows Update on the 25th, installed a new version of the software (shown above). I checked a 64 bit Windows 7 machine that had been updated on the 21st. Then, if a friend's PC seems to be having virus troubles, you can pull out the Malicious Software Removal Tool and give their system a speedy health check.Windows Update installed MSRT on May 21st and then again on May 25th Still, if you think your PC might be infected by something, but your current antivirus suite hasn't raised the alarm, then you can always try the Malicious Software Removal Tool for a quick second opinion (it won't clash with any existing security tools).Īnd because the program doesn't require installation, it's ideal for including on a USB flash drive as a part of your portable troubleshooting toolkit. And it only checks for some of the most common malware (see the full list here), currently around 150 specimens in total) - a good antivirus tool will detect hundreds of thousands of threats.

The Malicious Software Removal Tool has no real-time detection features, for instance, so it can't stop you getting infected in the first place. While useful, this is no substitute for an antivirus package. Just choose the type of scan you need - quick (takes a few minutes), full (takes ages, usually) or custom (scan only the areas you specify) - then leave the program to check your hard drive for threats, and remove any that it finds.

The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is a quick and easy tool to uncover and eliminate malware from your system.

Windows malware removal tool 64 bit