Step-by-Step Guide: Downloading and Running Microsoft Safety ScannerMicrosoft Safety Scanner (MSERT) is a free, portable on-demand scanning tool from Microsoft designed to find and remove malware from Windows systems. It complements—not replaces—your installed antivirus by providing a second opinion when you suspect an infection. This guide walks you through downloading, preparing, running, and following up after a scan with Microsoft Safety Scanner.
What Microsoft Safety Scanner is (and isn’t)
- Portable: It’s a single executable you download and run; there’s no installation or background service.
- On-demand: Use it alongside your regular antivirus when you want an extra scan or when you suspect active malware.
- Time-limited signatures: The downloaded scanner includes up-to-date signatures at the time of download and expires 10 days later. After that you should download a fresh copy.
- Not real-time protection: It does not provide continuous protection or scheduled scans.
System requirements and compatibility
- Windows 7 SP1 and later versions (including Windows 8, 8.1, 10, 11).
- Requires administrator privileges to run a full system scan and to remove malware.
- 64-bit and 32-bit builds are available — download the matching one for your OS.
Before you begin — preparatory steps
- Backup important files to an external drive or cloud storage if possible.
- Note which antivirus/antimalware tools are already installed. Microsoft Safety Scanner can run with other antivirus software, but if you have multiple active on-access scanners they may conflict; consider temporarily disabling real-time protection only if you understand the risk.
- Ensure you have an active internet connection to download the scanner and to look up guidance if needed.
- Save and close open documents and applications to reduce interference and make scanning faster.
Step 1 — Choose the correct download (32-bit vs 64-bit)
- Check your Windows architecture:
- Press Windows key + Pause/Break, or go to Settings > System > About > Device specifications > System type.
- If it says “64-bit operating system,” download the 64-bit MSERT; otherwise choose 32-bit.
Step 2 — Download Microsoft Safety Scanner
- Open your browser and go to Microsoft’s official Microsoft Safety Scanner download page.
- Select the appropriate build (x64 or x86) and click Download.
- Save the executable (msert.exe) to a folder you’ll remember, e.g., Desktop or Downloads.
Note: The file is time-limited — if you don’t run it within 10 days, re-download for current definitions.
Step 3 — Prepare to run as administrator
- Right-click the downloaded msert.exe and choose “Run as administrator.”
- If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow elevated privileges. Administrative rights are required for full scanning and removal of threats.
Step 4 — Choose the scan type
When you launch MSERT, a simple dialog appears with three scan options:
- Quick scan — Scans common malware locations; fastest but may miss deep infections.
- Full scan — Scans all files and running processes on the machine; most thorough but time-consuming.
- Customized scan — Lets you choose specific folders or drives to scan.
Choose based on your needs:
- If you suspect active infection (pop-ups, unexplained behavior) choose Full scan.
- For a targeted check of a suspicious folder, choose Customized scan.
- For routine quick checks, choose Quick scan.
Step 5 — Run the scan and monitor progress
- Select the scan type and click Next/Scan.
- Monitor the progress bar and status messages. A Full scan can take several hours depending on disk size and file count.
- Do not shut down or reboot your PC during the scan. If the PC is slow, try closing other applications to speed things up.
Step 6 — Review results and take action
After the scan finishes, Microsoft Safety Scanner will report findings:
- If threats are found, MSERT will attempt to remove or quarantine them.
- It provides a brief summary of detected items and actions taken. Save or copy the detection details (name of threat, affected files) for records or further research.
- If MSERT cannot remove a threat, note the file path and detection name; you may need a dedicated removal tool, use your primary antivirus, or seek specialized help.
Step 7 — Follow-up steps after detection
- Restart your computer if prompted. Many removals require a reboot to complete.
- Update your primary antivirus product and run a full scan with it to ensure no remnants remain.
- If infections persist or you see persistent symptoms, consider:
- Running additional reputable on-demand scanners (for example, Malwarebytes, Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool).
- Booting into Safe Mode and re-scanning.
- Restoring from a known-good backup or performing a system reset / reinstall if the machine remains compromised.
- Change passwords for sensitive accounts (banking, email) from a known-clean device if you suspect credential theft.
Troubleshooting common issues
- “msert.exe expired” — Download a fresh copy; MSERT includes signatures that expire after 10 days.
- Scan stalls or freezes — Close other programs, check disk health (chkdsk), run in Safe Mode if necessary.
- Conflicts with other security products — Temporarily disable real-time protection only if comfortable doing so, then re-enable afterward.
- Unable to remove malware — Note detection details and use specialized removal tools or professional support.
When to use Microsoft Safety Scanner
- You want a second opinion after suspecting malware.
- You need a quick, portable tool without installation.
- You have a non-booting system and want to run an offline repair (use other recovery tools or bootable rescue media for deep infections).
- You want to check a single file or folder using a trusted Microsoft tool.
Privacy and safety notes
- Microsoft Safety Scanner processes files locally on your machine; however, some detection may involve metadata that could be used by security diagnostics if you choose to report samples to Microsoft. Read Microsoft’s documentation if you need details about sample submission and privacy.
Quick checklist
- Verify OS architecture (32-bit vs 64-bit).
- Download msert.exe from Microsoft.
- Run as Administrator.
- Choose Quick, Full, or Customized scan.
- Review results, reboot if required, and follow up with your main antivirus.
Microsoft Safety Scanner is a simple, effective tool for on-demand scanning and initial malware removal. Use it as part of a layered security approach: keep your operating system and software updated, run a reputable real-time antivirus, and maintain regular backups.
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