using the microsoft malicious software removal tool

The tool cannot remove malicious software that is not running. Active malicious software is malicious software that is currently running on the computer. The tool focuses on the detection and removal of active malicious software. Specific prevalent malicious software is a small subset of all the malicious software that exists today. The tool removes only specific prevalent malicious software. It is significantly more desirable to block malicious software from running on a computer than to remove it after infection. Antivirus products block malicious software from running on a computer.

The tool removes malicious software from an already-infected computer. The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool differs from an antivirus product in three key ways: Therefore, we strongly recommend that you install and use an up-to-date antivirus product. It is strictly a post-infection removal tool. The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool does not replace an antivirus product. How the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool differs from an antivirus product After you download the tool, the tool runs one time to check your computer for infection by specific prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps remove any infection it finds. Microsoft releases a new version of the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool every month. The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool helps remove malicious software from your computers that are running Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows XP.

Using the microsoft malicious software removal tool