We have just released a new tool called Microsoft Safety Scanner to help you diagnose if your computer is infected and clean it if possible. It is available from www.microsoft.com/security/scanner. The old online safety scanner from safety.live.com also now points to www.microsoft.com/security/scanner
So what is Microsoft Safety Scanner? It is a standalone, easy-to-use scanner, packaged with the latest signatures, updated many times a day. While it is not a replacement for a full antimalware solution with real-time protection, it offers detection and cleaning using the same set of signatures and technology utilized by both Microsoft Security Essentials and Forefront Endpoint Protection.
If, like me, you have friends that don’t run up-to-date antivirus software, and as a result, they ask for your help cleaning up their computer, you may want to suggest this as a first step (before you give up your free time to assist them) so you can use that time instead to be social.
All you need is to download the 32-bit or 64-bit version via your favourite web browser and run Microsoft Safety Scanner *. It will detect and remove malware, and potentially unwanted software, for you. There is nothing to install, it’s as simple as that. And because it is just one executable, you can also easily copy it from one computer and run it on another. This is especially useful when your access to security websites is blocked by malware on the infected machine.
– Tony Kwan
* Note: Microsoft Safety Scanner expires 10 days after downloading. To re-run a scan with the latest antimalware definitions, please download and run Microsoft Safety Scanner again. If you are unsure if you are using the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows operating system, please visit this support link: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=212750&clcid=0x409
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