Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free, downloadable security tool designed to help you find and remove malware from your Windows computer. Think of it as an on-demand antivirus checkup – you download it, run a scan, and it works to identify and clean up any malicious software it finds, even attempting to undo harmful changes made by threats.
What is Microsoft Safety Scanner and Why Use It?
The Microsoft Safety Scanner is not a replacement for your regular antivirus software. Instead, it’s a valuable tool for specific situations. Imagine you suspect your computer might be infected, or you want a second opinion scan to double-check your existing security. That’s where Safety Scanner shines.
Here’s what makes it useful:
- On-Demand Scanning: It only scans when you manually run it, giving you control over when and how you check your system.
- Up-to-Date Definitions: The Safety Scanner uses the same security intelligence updates as Microsoft Defender Antivirus, ensuring it’s equipped to detect the latest threats.
- Temporary Tool: It expires 10 days after download. This encourages you to always get the newest version for each scan, guaranteeing you have the most current malware definitions.
- Portable and Easy to Use: It’s a single executable file, meaning no installation is required. Just download it, run it, and you’re ready to scan.
However, remember its limitations:
- Not Real-Time Protection: Safety Scanner doesn’t offer continuous protection like a full antivirus program. It won’t prevent infections in real-time.
- Manual Updates Required: To get the latest definitions, you must download a fresh copy each time you want to scan after 10 days, unlike antivirus software that updates automatically.
For continuous, real-time protection, Microsoft recommends using Microsoft Defender Antivirus which is built into Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8.
System Requirements for Safety Scanner
You can use Microsoft Safety Scanner on computers running these Windows operating systems:
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 8
- Windows 7
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server 2012 R2
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows Server 2008 R2
Make sure your system supports SHA-2 signing to run Safety Scanner. You can find more details on SHA-2 support requirements for Windows on the Microsoft support website.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Run a Scan with Microsoft Safety Scanner
Scanning your computer for malware with Safety Scanner is a straightforward process:
- Download the Tool: Go to the official Microsoft Safety Scanner download page and download the appropriate version for your system.
- Run Safety Scanner: Once downloaded, open the tool (msert.exe).
- Choose Scan Type: The Safety Scanner will present you with different scan options. Select the type of scan you want to perform (Quick Scan, Full Scan, or Customized Scan).
- Start the Scan: Click the button to begin the scanning process.
- Review Scan Results: After the scan finishes, Safety Scanner will display a summary of the results on your screen.
- Detailed Logs: For more in-depth information about detections, you can find a detailed log file at
%SYSTEMROOT%\debug\msert.log.
Once you’re done using the tool, you can simply delete the msert.exe file to remove it from your system.
For further assistance or troubleshooting, Microsoft provides a support article on how to troubleshoot problems using Safety Scanner.
