CNET Editors' review
Microsoft's free security tools don't get the respect they deserve, but they're actually good performers. Take the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. This small, portable utility checks Windows XP, 2000, Server 2003, Vista, and 7 for infection by a range of known threats, including Blaster, MyDoom, and Sasser, and removes any threats it finds. Microsoft is quick to point out that the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is no substitute for antivirus software. It doesn't protect your system from infection; it merely finds and removes any known threats. It's available in separate downloads for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows versions, but the tool won't let you use the wrong version so there's little risk of getting it wrong. This program is fully portable, so it can run on any compatible Windows machine without having to be installed.
The Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is utter simplicity to use. Its dialog-style interface offers three scan options: Quick, Full, and Customized. The Quick scan targets those areas most likely to be infected by malware. If none is found, the tool prompts you to run a Full scan, which scans your entire system thoroughly but can take several hours on large systems. The Customized scan performs a Quick scan and also scans user-specified folders. We started with the Quick scan. A green bar graph tracked the tool's progress as it rapidly scanned critical areas of our C drive. The Quick scan took less than a minute and found no malicious software, though we could view detailed results anyway, if we wanted to. But we moved on the Full scan. This took much longer, of course, but it was worth it to be sure than no crudware lurked in our system's deep dark corners.
Obviously Microsoft didn't waste a lot of resources on a zooty interface or a snappy market-tested name for this simple but effective scanner and cleanser, but it does release an updated version of it on the second Tuesday of each month. We strongly recommend downloading and running the latest version now and then, and every few months at a minimum.
Publisher's Description
From Microsoft:
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks Windows Vista, WIndows 7, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 computers for and helps remove infections by specific, prevalent malicious software--including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. The tool creates a log file named mrt.log in the %WINDIR%\debug folder.
What's new in this version: Version 4.5 can detect and remove Win32/Fareit threats.
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All versions:
3.5 starsout of 26 votes
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Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
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"The name says it all"
Version: Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool 4.2
Pros
Ran it from my flashdrive and the program removed threats other anti-virus program did not even detected.
Cons
Ran on full scan that took a huge amount of time.
Summary
I recommend this program.
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"useful at times"
Version: Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool 3.20
Pros
cleans out non routine infections
Cons
not as easy to use like Malwarebytes'
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"see bottom line summary"
Version: Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool 3.20
Pros
see bottom line summary
Cons
see bottom line summary
Summary
You guy's are the grooviest with your free downloads and special offers!
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"This program went all rogue on my computer."
Version: Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool 3.20
Pros
It is free-BEWARE FREE Ain"T always good!!!!!!
Cons
It does not even come with an uninstall feature, I had to use another antivirus program to quarantine this program before I could even use my computer.
Summary
Terrible program!!!!!
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"Its free so why not run it?"
Version: Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool 3.20
Pros
It's free, comes from The Great Satan, His Evil Minions, and Their Dastardly Words (aka Bill Gates, Microsoft, and Windows) and runs in the background. So why not run it in addition to Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Spybot Search and Destroy?
Cons
None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None
Summary
With malware attacks up 40% over last year according to Symantec and most malware not being symptomatic, run this jobber and anything else you can get your hands on.
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"You Gotta Go to Microsoft for the 64bit Version"
Version: Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool 3.20
Pros
http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/C/5/2C563B99-54D9-4D85-A82B-45D3CD2F53CE/windows-kb890830-x64-v3.20.exe
Cons
Gotta navigate away from CNET
Summary
WORTH the effort
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"Provides easy use."
Version: Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool 3.19
Pros
FREE, keeps your computer clean.
Cons
NONE,I have not found anything wrong with the program.
Summary
Another great Microsoft deal that will assist you in keeping your computer clean.
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"not 100 per cent sure"
Version: Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool 3.19
Pros
downloaded software did a scan no problems found very happy with that
Cons
about twenty minutes after the scan the software deleted itself from
my system not sure if that was meant to happenSummary
very happy it give my system a clean bill of health but was it supposed to delete itself from my system.perhaps the more expert
computer users can put me in the picture -
"Seems enthusiastic"
Version: Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool 3.19
Pros
It certainly looks keenly through my computer but since it has never found anything horrid I can't really judge its effectiveness.
Cons
Nothing I can think of, except a full scan takes a long time, which is presumably my fault for having so much junk for it to sort through.
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"Absolute piece of mind using this product"
Version: Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool 3.18
Pros
* Easy to load.
* Easy to use.
* Runs invisibly in the background.Cons
I have found no cons with this product!
Summary
I recommend this product to ANYONE who will listen.
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