microsoft malicious software removal tool for vista

However, an antivirus product can perform this task. 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: If you like, Windows 10 already has Windows Defender included for antivirus. 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. The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) helps remove malicious software from your computers that are running Windows 10 Technical Preview, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows XP.

Microsoft malicious software removal tool for vista